Category: Graduate jobs
Overcoming imposter syndrome during your graduate job search
Hi there, I’m Caitlin, a recent graduate and a Careers Support and Graduate Engagement Intern.
As I navigate my own career journey, I’ve come to realise that self-doubt can be a common experience especially when stepping into something new. One of the most challenging aspects of this is imposter syndrome – that nagging feeling that you don’t truly deserve your success, or that you’re not as capable as others might think.
If you’ve ever felt this way, you’re certainly not alone. Research reveals an estimated 70% of people have experienced some form of imposter syndrome in their lives, including highly successful individuals. The positive news is that there are practical strategies available to help you manage these feelings and approach your job search with renewed confidence.
(more…)So you want to get into wildlife TV?
Guest post by Liz Bell
Bristol is a great place to be if you want a career in television production. It’s renowned for the wildlife and factual programmes made by the BBC and the many independent companies based here, and with its close-knit professional community it’s an excellent alternative to the sometimes cut-throat London scene.
But if you’ve done your research, you’ll know that it’s not easy to get your foot in the door. Competition is fierce, jobs are rarely advertised and everybody wants someone with tons of experience (which you haven’t got because no one will give you a chance).
As a former TV producer, I get a lot of questions from people wanting to break into the TV industry. So here are my top tips to answer that perennial question: as a recent or soon-to-be Bristol graduate, how can you make yourself stand out from the crowd and get a job?
(more…)Graduate stories: my reflections on stumbling into the Civil Service Fast Stream
My name is Tom, and I work as a strategy officer in the government’s Ministry of Justice, as part of the Civil Service Fast stream. Here I am, outside the Victoria rooms in August 2023, graduating with a degree in chemistry.
This day was marked with smiles in the pictures, but a heavy heart. I was sad to be leaving behind my university years and making the step into the world of work.
Explore the Expansive Futures careers series
Are you interested in hearing from professionals who have built interesting and fulfilling careers in arts, humanities and social sciences?
Do you want to know how the arts, humanities, and social sciences develop crucial skills that allow you to thrive in the modern world?
If so, the Expansive Futures series is just what you need!
What is the Expansive Futures series?
The series takes place between 11 February and 18 March and consists of 14 events to help you explore the career options available to you with a degree in arts, humanities and social sciences.
These events will give you an opportunity to hear from expert professionals on career opportunities and pathways in particular fields of work. No matter what year you are in or how much you thought about your next steps, the Expansive Futures series will have something for you.
Think outside the scheme
Perhaps you are a final-year or postgraduate student struggling to secure an interview or progress your application for a graduate scheme. Are you feeling demoralised by rejections and overwhelmed by the demands these applications make on your time?
We know that graduate scheme roles are highly competitive, and there is an expectation for students to meet application deadlines while also managing academic demands, this can all lead to a great deal of stress and disappointment.
Reliable information also shows that most graduates do not secure a Graduate Scheme offer. Instead, they often find immediate hire positions both in small and large organisations.
Before we explore the range of graduate roles, let’s debunk some myths about Graduate Schemes. These roles are only a minority of graduate vacancies, not everyone is offered one, and they do not suit everyone.
(more…)Graduate Stories: Life on the EY graduate scheme
Alex graduated from Bristol with a Biochemistry degree and now works at EY as an Audit Associate. We recently caught up with Alex to hear about his experience working for EY and advice about working in the finance sector.
Graduate Stories: Working as a graduate hardware engineer at Ocado Technology
Hi, I’m Louise, I graduated from the University of Bristol in 2022 and I now work at Ocado Technology as a Graduate Hardware Engineer.
My university experience
In 2018 I began studying for an integrated master’s degree in Mechanical and Electrical Engineering. The first three years of my degree were transformative in building my confidence and passion for engineering.
One of the best extra-curricular activities I did during my time at university was being a Course Representative as this helped me to get to know both my cohort and my lecturers. During my second year I also completed the Bristol PLUS Award, a programme organised by the Careers Service. The best thing I gained from this programme was learning how to articulate the value I had gained from my extra curricular experiences in my CV and in job interviews.
(more…)From Wills Memorial to the Palace of Westminster – my Civil Service Fast Stream journey
Hi, I’m Annie, a Bristol graduate (BA English, MSc Public Policy) currently working in the Ministry of Justice as part of the Civil Service Fast Stream graduate programme.
Back in 2018, when I decided to study English at Bristol, careers were the furthest thing from my mind. I was passionate about reading and literary history, especially the political contexts of my favourite novels, plays and poems, and knew that Bristol would be the perfect place to develop.
Graduate Stories: Working on the commercial graduate programme at INEOS
Luke graduated from Bristol with a Mechanical Engineering degree and now works at INEOS on the Commercial Graduate Programme. We recently caught up with Luke to hear about his experience working for INEOS and his advice for students who are starting their career.
Hi I’m Luke,
I graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, but it didn’t take me long to realise that a traditional engineering career wasn’t quite what I was aiming for. While I was at Bristol, I explored various fields through different internships. Each role gave me a new perspective and showed me how the engineering world operates beyond the technical aspects. By the time I finished my degree, I knew I wanted to combine my engineering background with a focus on business and strategy.
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