Category: Uncategorized

AI generated applications – should you, or shouldn’t you?

Posted on by Careers Service

Recent research* shows that 17% of students are already using generative AI tools to assist with writing documents such as CVs and cover letters for applications. By the time you read this, that figure will no doubt be higher. 

It’s hard to avoid the news and frenzy around tools such as ChatGPT that can make light work of even complex tasks. Where we have our limitations in terms of knowledge and resources, AI can instantly draw on comprehensive expertise from millions of data points to help us reduce time spent on admin-intensive work. 

So, whether you feel overwhelmed with multiple applications or just find it difficult to produce the right words, it’s understandable that taking a shortcut can be appealing. 

However, assist should be the key word here.  

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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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Funding a PhD

Posted on by Careers Service

Finding funding for PhDs is competitive, and can be confusing. You may be unsure of where to start or even overwhelmed by the process. However, help is at hand!

If you are seeking funding for a PhD research proposal, this blog is for you. There are a number of resources available to help you navigate the process and increase your chances of success.

Overview

Funding can potentially cover all or part of your fees, maintenance, accommodation, and research costs (e.g. equipment, travel etc).

You can secure funding from a variety of sources, including government grants, University funding, and other organisations such as charities or private foundations.

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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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Could you be an INTRApreneur?

Posted on by Careers Service

Develop your intrapreneurial skills and gain invaluable experience working with inspiring entrepreneurs with IKEEP.

Students involved in the IKEEP programme engage in online training in a range of business areas such as managing innovation, business model canvas and leadership strategies. 

From here, students can apply for a short project placement (a commitment of 70 hours per student, spread flexibly over 4 weeks), working remotely for a regional business or charity as part of an interdisciplinary team of 3 students.  

Some of this year’s IKEEP participants at our IKEEP mingle event.

We spoke with Mansour Alshamsi, a student who has previously participated in IKEEP training and an industry project placement to find out about his experience in the IKEEP programme. 

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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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