Category: Specialist support

How to make the most of Gradcracker: Advice for STEM students

Posted on by Careers Service

“There are plenty of opportunities available for students looking for STEM placements and jobs! This is a great chance to discover where your degree can take you.”

In October, Gradcracker’s Jessica Luck presented to Bristol students. Gradcracker is the UK’s career website for science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM) students. The online event outlined how to use the Gradcracker website to search for placements and graduate jobs within the STEM industry.

A graphic of a brain lit up in lights like a circuit board

Key features of the Gradcracker website:

The event highlighted some of the many features available on the Gradcracker website, here are some of the best ones:

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Top tips for making the most of the University of Bristol Law Fair

Posted on by Careers Service

It was great to see so many of you at our recent Employer Showcase, and hope you enjoyed the opportunity to network with potential employers. Our next big careers event will be the University of Bristol Law Fair.

Join us at the Wills Memorial Building on Thursday 2 November from 12:30 pm until 3 pm to engage with 41 law firms seeking Bristol graduates. The event even includes employer-led talks from leading firms, so come along to find out exactly what top law firms are looking for.

Two students talk in the Wills Memorial building

This is the perfect opportunity for those of you interested in law to explore a career in the legal sector.

If you’re studying law, considering a conversion Masters, or simply wish to explore your options, make sure you don’t miss out.

Attending the fair is only the first step…

It’s essential to keep things moving after the fair and stay in touch with your contacts. Take a look at these quick tips in order to maximise your pre-fair and post-fair experience:

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Employer Showcase spotlight: Meet Josh from Delaware

Posted on by Careers Service

Our annual 2-day careers fair, the Employer Showcase is back! Join us on Wednesday 11 October and Thursday 12 October from 12:30 pm to 4 pm at Bristol Beacon.

The Employer Showcase is a great opportunity to network with employers from a variety of sectors and see what opportunities are available. This year, Delaware is one of our fair sponsors and will be coming along to chat with students over both days. We recently caught up with Josh Westwell to hear about his experience taking part in Delaware’s analyst programme.

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Access arrangements at careers fairs.

Posted on by Careers Service

Our annual 2-day careers fair, the Employer Showcase, is back, bringing brilliant opportunities to network and foster connections with potential employers.

The event runs on Wednesday 11 October and Thursday 12 October from 12:30 pm to 4 pm at Bristol Beacon, providing the chance to discover a whole range of work experience, internships, and graduate roles from employers of all backgrounds.

  • The Careers Service will be located on the Lower Ground Floor of the venue and will be available to answer any questions that you might have about the showcase.
  • There will be the opportunity to receive bespoke advice from our Careers Advisers, as well as the chance to get a professional headshot taken for your LinkedIn profile – please register using this form to express your interest: LinkedIn Headshot Registration Form
Two members of the Careers Service, both female, smiling underneath a signpost that reads "Register here"

Our careers fairs are for everyone, so if you:

  • Suffer from a long-term physical or mental disability
  • Are neurodivergent (including but not limited to Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Dysgraphia, and Dyscalculia)
  • Have any access requirements to be fulfilled
  • Are apprehensive about any aspects of the event

We are here to help make the day as easy as possible for you.

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Welcome to your Careers Service

Posted on by Careers Service

Welcome (or welcome back!) to the University of Bristol. We are your Careers Service and we are here to support you in preparing for your next steps after you finish your studies – and it’s never too early to start!  

Whether it’s help in getting a part-time job, finding internships and graduate roles, writing CVs and applications, or deciding what you want to do after your degree, we’re here for you.    

First things first, you are going to hear us talking about mycareer a lot this year. mycareer is your portal to vacancies, events, resources, appointments and more. You can set up a profile in there that will tailor content just for you!

Log in, complete your profile and off you go!

Here are 5 ways you can engage with us during your time at Bristol:  

Explore your options 

What can you do with your course, and how can you research the opportunities available to you? We are here to support you in researching your options and testing out ideas.

Visit the Exploring your career options pages of our website or attend one of our ‘Get clear on your career’ workshops. 

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Is a PhD for me?

Posted on by Careers Service

Deciding whether to pursue a PhD can be daunting for any student. A PhD is a significant commitment requiring substantial time and effort, but it can also be incredibly rewarding.

Here are some factors to consider when deciding if a PhD is right for you:

Motivation and passion

One of the most important factors to consider when deciding whether to pursue a PhD is your motivation and passion for the subject. A PhD is a research-focused degree based on a significant amount of independent work and dedication.

Without genuine interest and a deep sense of curiosity about the subject, it will be challenging to maintain the motivation required to complete a PhD. 

As you will be dedicating several years of your life to researching and writing your thesis (the argument your research makes), it is crucial that you are passionate about it. Otherwise, you may struggle to see it through.

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Writing a PhD research proposal

Posted on by Careers Service

If you’re looking to apply for a PhD program, one of the key requirements is writing a research proposal.

This document is essential, as it outlines your plans and will serve as a roadmap for the next few years. 

You won’t be completely bound to the contents of your proposal if you are successful in your application, there are many reasons your project might change and evolve over time.

You will be expected to stick broadly to what you originally proposed though, especially if you secure external funding.

Read on to find our top tips and advice on how to write a successful research proposal for your PhD application.

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Bring your whole self to work: LGBTQIA+ careers support and advice

Posted on by Careers Service

At the Careers Service, we understand that your identity is an integral part of your career journey and want to help you navigate any challenge you may face.  

We actively promote diversity and inclusion and aim to provide a safe space for LGBTQIA+ students to seek guidance. We can help you find inclusive employers, with applications and support you with bringing your whole self to work.

Our Support for LGBTQIA+ students page, includes further information about support available both within and outside of the University.

We offer support on how to develop high-quality CVs, cover letters and applications, prepare for interviews, apply for further study and more.     

An Adviser and student in the Careers Service reviewing a CV together.

You can contact us on Live Chat, check out our events, book an appointment, or drop in from Monday to Friday, 1.30 pm to 4.30 pm during vacation periods, and 10 am to 4.30 pm during term time.

Researching LGBTQIA+ inclusive employers 

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Unsuccessful applications? Here are some tips on changing strategy

Posted on by Careers Service

Job hunting is a difficult process and unsuccessful applications can be really disheartening, particularly if employers don’t give feedback as to why you were unsuccessful.

But there are all kinds of ways you can change your strategy and hopefully improve your chances of success. Here are some of our top tips to give you a leg up in your job search!

1. Planning, be strategic

When it comes to applications, having a clear plan can prove really useful.

Research the sectors you’re interested in and check out what skills are needed for the specific roles you’d like to apply or aspire to.

Our sector guides are a great place to start or, for more information on individual roles within a sector, take a look at Prospect’s list of job profiles.

An image of someone viewing a wall filled with different mind maps and plans.
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Careers in Medicine

Posted on by Careers Service

Welcome to the fascinating world of medicine. Where science and compassion interact to save lives and transform the human experience.

Panellist, Amber, speaks to students at the Careers Service about the Mature Medic Platform.

In March we welcomed a panel of 4 speakers for a panel event, who shared their experiences, as well as their top tips, to students interested in a career in medicine.  

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