Category: Internships, part-time work and work experience

Student Money Week – mythbusting around part time work

Posted on by Careers Service

It’s National Student Money Week Monday 3 March to Friday 7 March! The perfect time to talk openly about money, budgeting, and any money worries you have. 

Looking for part-time work for the first time can be daunting. Luckily, the Careers Service is here to help!  

Check out the support and resources available to you for finding part-time work from where to look, to CV and application help and prepping for interviews!  

There are a few common misconceptions that we hear alot from students around working part-time at university.  

So, let’s do some myth busting to help you feel more confident about money and work!

“There are only part-time jobs in retail and hospitality”  

Don’t disregard part-time work just because you don’t fancy working in a cafe or bar. There are plenty of other roles that you can do alongside your studies, including ones they will help you in your future career.

Explore part time roles and filter your preferences on mycareer, for example, try searching for remote roles for more flexibility or for ones based at the university itself! 

“I can work as many hours as I want”  

The University recommends, for all students, no more than 15 working hours a week, so as to not interfere with your studies.

It’s important to strike a balance that is effective and manageable for you.   

If you are an international student hoping to work alongside your studies, you should check the specific requirements of your Visa. Often there is a maximum number of hours that you are permitted to work under the agreement. You can find out more information about working whilst studying as an international student on the Student Visa Services website and this guide on mycareer.

“I don’t need a National Insurance number”  

Everyone who works in the UK needs a National Insurance (NI) number.  

If you have had to apply for a visa you may have a National Insurance (NI) number printed on the back of your biometric residence permit (BRP). You don’t need to apply for a National Insurance number if you already have one, or one is printed on your BRP.  

If you don’t have a National Insurance number, you must apply. You can only apply for it once you’re in the UK and you must apply by phone. 

“I will get my first pay cheque immediately”  

While students often turn to part-time work when they are in need of some extra cash, it isn’t an immediate solution. The reality of part-time work is that you are often paid ‘a month in arrears’ which means you are paid for the work you have completed the previous month – so you may not see your first pay cheque for 4 to 8 weeks after starting your role.  

If you are in a financial situation that needs resolving quickly, you can get in touch with the Money Advice Team at the University.  

“It’s normal to be asked for my financial details when applying for a role”

In short, no! If a company asks for financial details during the application process it is likely a scam. No reputable organisation will ask you to pay to secure a job. Read our blog for more tips on how to spot job scams.  

No one else worries about money at university  

group of students laughing

Most students feel concerned about their finances at some point in their university career. Try speaking to your friends about what’s on your mind, they might be in a similar situation.

Alternatively, you can speak to a trusted money advisor or read more on the money worries webpage.

You’re not alone. 

The most important thing to remember is not to worry about your finances alone. The University can help and discuss what options are available to you. 

If you are worried about money or debt it’s best to speak to one of the University’s money advisors who can give you some extra support.  

Find out more on the University’s Money Advise webpage,  

There are two main hardship funds that can support you during your time at the University of Bristol; The Financial Assistance Fund provides a safety net if you find yourself in financial difficulties during your studies and the Digital Support Fund provides financial help towards the cost of IT equipment needed for your course. 

Hopefully, you are now going into National Student Money Week feeling more confident about part-time work and talking about money than ever. The University is always here to support you with whatever concerns you may have.  

For more help with part-time work, visit our part-time work webpages, speak to us on Live Chat or visit us on campus at 5 Tyndall Avenue.

Fancy making a difference on campus? Nominate yourself for a student leadership role!

Posted on by Careers Service

Each year, the Bristol SU elections are a chance for you to choose a student leader who represents you and the change you want to see on campus.

You can vote to elect the people you trust to represent your community and make a positive impact. Over 900 student leaders are elected, playing vital roles in amplifying student voices.

You can vote from Monday 10 to Thursday 13 March. Make sure you vote and make your time at Bristol the best it can be.

However, you can go one step further…

Are you the person to make a difference?

Are you passionate about improving the wellbeing services or making changes to the food options on campus? If so, do more than just vote, and run for an SU-elected role today. The SU elections are the perfect way for you to make a positive change for you and your fellow students. 

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City Challenge with Not Impossible

Posted on by Careers Service

City Challenges are a programme of events providing students with the opportunity to engage with charities and social enterprises.  

They are a great way for you to support worthwhile organisations whilst developing skills to improve employability. 

Not Impossible recently hosted a City Challenge with us at the Careers Service.

A photo of a computer screen which reads 'Welcome to City Challenges.'
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My SME Internship: Helen – Clifton Suspension Bridge Visitor Centre

Posted on by Careers Service

Hi, my name’s Helen. While studying for my History MA, I undertook an SME Internship at the Clifton Suspension Bridge Trust.  

The Trust is a non-profit charity which maintains the bridge, educating the public on its historical significance. During my internship I worked at the museum and visitor’s centre on the Leigh Woods side of the river.   

A photo of Helen, smiling outdoors in the sunshine.
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Violet: Student Leader, drag artist, and PLUS achiever!

Posted on by Careers Service

Bristol PLUS Award achiever and Outstanding PLUS Award nominee Violet Allmark achieved her 70 hours of PLUS activity through working as a freelance drag performer and taking on a student leadership role as chair of Bristol Theatre Department Society InterACT. 

Violet was a freelance performer with drag cabaret ‘The House of Savalon’ during their residency at award-winning Bristol LGBTQ+ venue Queenshilling, proud sponsors of Bristol University LGBTQ+ society. 

A photo of Violet performing in a drag show
Violet performing as Etta Boy, at The House of Savalon

‘My freelance work, as part of the House of Savalon’s three month residency at Queenshilling, gave me the opportunity to develop my artistic costume-making practice, and improve my time management and organisational skills. I spent hours preparing for my acts: sourcing, making and editing my own costumes, props and audio. 

In addition, the regular feedback sessions enhanced my personal reflection skills on my own performances as well as my communication skills through constructive feedback

A crow of people in drag on a stage cheering
The House of Savalon at the Queen Shilling

Kickstarting my drag career this year has led to such amazing performance opportunities, such as performing last week before Divina de Campo at the Creative Youth Network Station and even internationally in Woody’s Bar Toronto, where I was tipped during my performance by a queen recently announced to be on Season 3 of Canada Drag Race and I was even in the presence of the show’s ‘version’ of Ru Paul: Brook Lynn Hytes.’

Violet also developed new skills and experience by chairing the committee of InterAct, the theatre department’s society. 

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My SME Internship: Tom, Educational Action Challenging Homophobia (EACH)

Posted on by Careers Service

Educational Action Challenging Homophobia (EACH) is a multi-award-winning charity which works to affirm the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and reduce discrimination experienced because of sexual orientation or gender identity.  

EACH work with us through our SME Internship Scheme to host interns to support their charity work, in roles such as Administration & Fundraising Officer, Helpline & Creative Development Assistant, and Research & Administration Officer.   

Since 2013, EACH has hosted 14 SME interns through the SME Internship Scheme.   

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My IKEEP Journey: Project Placement with PyTerra

Posted on by Careers Service

Hi, I’m Emily! I am a third-year law student and I recently completed a project placement with PyTerra, after following a two-week Intrapreneurial course with IKEEP. I heard about the IKEEP training programme in the Careers Service newsletter, and it seemed like a great way to get interesting work experience. I got offered a 4-week work placement at PyTerra, which is a local ‘FinTech’ (Financial Technology) start-up and app where investors, developers, grant givers and corporates can collaborate to make low carbon housing projects feasible. Essentially, PyTerra’s mission is to generate finance for aggregated low-carbon projects.   (more…)

My SME Internship: Regina – WeTrack

Posted on by Careers Service

A photo of Regina, smiling.I am very grateful to have been offered an internship opportunity through the SME Internship Scheme.

As an international student, I spent three months searching for a graduate job in the UK after I finished my one-year master’s programme. I found the challenges and competition higher than ever in the wake of the global pandemic. Thus, I applied for internship vacancies on the Careers Service website to enhance my employability in the local market. (more…)

My SME Internship: Yanan – Bristol Braille Technology

Posted on by Careers Service

A photo of YananHi, my name is Yanan. 

It was my great honour to undertake a two-month internship at Bristol Braille Technology (BBT) under the SME Internship Scheme. My position at BBT was Braille and Employment Researcher Intern. My main duty was to conduct research on how braille promotes employment and improves the lives of the visually impaired. My work was mostly done remotely. 

Working for BBT, I learned workplace etiquette and gained lots of new skills, including working to a high standard. As a non-native English speaker, my English has improved tremendously during this internship. My colleagues and supervisors are all native English speakers, and, frankly, it was a little difficult for me to keep up with them when I first started my internship. I quickly got over this problem with a lot of English practice.

Bristol Braille Technology logo.
Bristol Braille Technology logo.

At the same time, the research skills I learned at university came in handy and my time management skills have also been enhanced. This valuable experience has laid a solid foundation for my future career. 

All in all, as a visually impaired person, I have benefited a lot from this internship, it really boosts my CV and I have become more confident. At work, I didn’t feel any discrimination and I wasn’t treated differently from anyone else. I sincerely hope that more of my peers will benefit from this scheme in the future.  (more…)

My SME Internship: Alex – Senmag Robotics

Posted on by Careers Service

Greetings from a second-year Electrical and Electronic Engineering student. My name is Alex and I completed a month-long SME internship for the company Senmag Robotics. A photo of Alex smiling.

I was tasked with coding demos using the Unity game engine. The demos showcase the functionality and potential applications of the device that the company is developing.

In short, this device is meant to give you three-dimensional precise control and haptic feedback. This allows you to feel virtual objects and effects as if they are physically present.

I carried out my internship remotely, but I did receive a VR headset and one of their devices to play with (and by play, I of course mean responsibly troubleshoot newly written scripts and test added features!). (more…)