Category: Widening participation
Ever wished you had a career mentor?
Bristol Mentors is now open for applications for home UK students returning for study in 2024/25.
We caught up with Elena (Politics and Sociology BSc), one of two Bristol Mentors Student Associates about her experiences as a mentee on the programme.
(more…)Disability and Neurodivergence careers panel – employer and alumni insights
Last term, PwC’s Kim Whippy, Change 100’s Ursula Green, and University of Bristol MEng Aerospace Engineering alumnus, Syirah Ami, joined us at our ‘Disability and neurodivergence career panel’.
They shared their insights into the range of support available for students and graduates:
Workplace adjustments
Reasonable adjustments within the workplace maximise inclusivity, accessibility, and support for employees.
Applicants are encouraged to disclose requests or requirements whenever is most comfortable for them.
Careers support for students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds
Career planning can be tricky. We know some students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds can also face specific challenges.
These may include:
- Exploring career ideas when you don’t know what’s out there;
- Getting quality work experience with fewer existing networks; or
- Having time to dedicate to career planning alongside other commitments.
At the Careers Service, we provide dedicated support to address these challenges:
Bristol Mentors
The Bristol Mentors scheme matches you with an alumni mentor. They can help you explore ideas, share advice, and give you an edge to break into the job sector that interests you.
Applications typically open in the Spring term – check your university emails.
Embracing Neurodiversity: Navigating university life and beyond
At the University of Bristol, we are proud to celebrate neurodiversity. We recognise the unique strengths and perspectives that neurodiverse students bring to our campus.
In this blog post, we explore the resources and events available to neurodiverse students. Find out how these have been put into practice, to empower you on your journey through university and help you plan your next steps.
Join us in celebrating neurodiversity and uncovering the opportunities that await!
(more…)Access arrangements at careers fairs.
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
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.
(more…)How volunteering can transform your university experience
Volunteering in your local community connects you with others and creates positive change.
Over the past academic year, the team at Bristol Hub have supported over 180 Bristol students to engage in social action.
Bristol Hub manager Sorcha Young shares the impact that volunteering can have:
“Social action takes many forms. It can range from donating money to good causes to creating campaigns or running community-based events. I love making a change by getting hands-on and volunteering in my community.”
Niamh Harrington, Bristol Hub one-off Volunteering Coordinator
How volunteering enhances wellbeing
85% of Bristol Hub’s student volunteers agreed that participation enhanced their well-being during university. Where there are many challenges to university, such as loneliness, academic pressures and an overwhelming amount to do, volunteering provides a space to escape and connect.
(more…)Mentoring matters – why apply for Bristol Mentors?
The Bristol Mentors scheme matches successful applicants with an alumni mentor who will help you explore ideas, share advice and give you an edge to break into the job sector that interests you.
To celebrate Bristol Mentors now being open for applications for the class of 2023/24, we caught up with Lucy (BA English Literature, 2019) and Grace (MA Law, 2019) to hear about their experiences as student mentees on the programme.
Both former mentees have since taken the role of mentor for two current students. From mentee to mentor, and student to graduate, they are full of valuable experiences worth sharing!
Your Flying Start newsletter: championing social mobility, empowering you in your journey
Do you receive Flying Start newsletters from the Careers Service? Read on to learn more about what Flying Start is and meet the team behind its creation.
(more…)Are you considering a PhD?
With most PhDs spanning 3 to 4 years, it is not a decision to take lightly.
For some students, their passion for research and a specific academic discipline is such that a PhD is an obvious choice as part of their career planning, however, for others it is just one possible option, prompting further questions.
Having an insight into what life is like as a post-graduate researcher is a crucial first step. Without any doubt, you will need to love learning, have a hunger for research, and be a self-starter happy to work for long periods independently. Advice from vitae.ac.uk is to be ‘really clear on your motivations for doing a doctorate, and that it [will be] a positive career step.’