Category: Widening participation

Are you considering a PhD?

Posted on by Careers Service

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.’

Kayleigh Crouch is a Career Peer Support Adviser with the Careers Service, currently a PGR at the University of Bristol, and has shared her insights on what it’s like to be a doctoral researcher here:

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Three ways EmployAbility can support disabled and neurodivergent students with their career

Posted on by Careers Service

The University of Bristol is proud to be a Next Generation Inclusive University in partnership with disability organisation EmployAbility – together we strive to put disability inclusion at the heart of what we do. 

A logo that says "Employability Next generation Inclusive University"

EmployAbility supports disabled and neurodivergent students looking for employment or internships, both during their studies and after they graduate. They support them to get reasonable adjustments in place, to enable them to perform at their best at all stages of the recruitment process, and in the workplace. 

We’re here to tell you a little bit more about the services EmployAbility offers and how they can support you. 

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My Motability Operations internship: Anna

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“I am incredibly grateful that I took this chance.”

Anna smiling with cameras, microphone, and general filming set props in the background

This summer, I’ve been working at Motability Operations (MO) as part of my place on their scholarship programme. I’ve been placed on the Connected Vehicles team, which is centred around data science. Day-to-day, my role has involved researching model inputs and preparing and analysing data stored on the cloud.

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What is the Ideation fund and why should you apply?

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The Ideation fund is a 7-week experimental learning programme, (running between the 2 November- 14 December), which provides applicants with specialist training, support and funding for founders who want to explore and test out an early-stage start-up idea. This programme is sponsored by The Bristol Grid.

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Welcome to your new-look mycareer!

Posted on by Careers Service

You may have noticed that mycareer has had a bit of a glow-up! Rest assured it is still packed with all the events, opportunities and information it had before. 

We thought we’d give you some top tips for getting the most out of it:  

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Tailor your profile

When you first log in, you’ll be asked to set up your profile which will take you under 3 minutes (we know, we have timed ourselves doing it!)  This will ensure that you get the most relevant advice and opportunities for you. 

 

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The Career Discovery Feed

Find articles from us here at the Careers Service, as well as other specialists. Personalise your feed by favouriting resources as you go and build your own library.

 

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Get your CV ready pathway

We have lots of pathways for you to discover. This super useful pathway will help you learn to write a winning CV in 3 easy steps. Once you’ve completed it, talk to us on Live Chat and we can book you an appointment to have your new CV reviewed by a Careers Advisor. 

 

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Search opportunities

We have a HUGE range of jobs, work experience and opportunities for you to explore. You can use filters to target your search to find exactly what you want; whether it’s a part-time role to fit around your studies, volunteering, a summer internship, or immediate start graduate vacancies, we’ve got you covered!   

Take a look!

Watch our 3-minute video to walk you through the new features 

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So, what are you waiting for? Head to mycareer now, set up your profile and start exploring! 

 

 

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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LGBTQ+ careers support and advice

Posted on by Careers Service

Hello, and happy Pride! Here at the Careers Service, we’d like to kickstart the University celebrations by giving you resources designed specifically to support our LGBTQ+ students and grads, from uni onwards!

It’s 2022, and employers (especially those huge corporations) love to shout their allyship from the rooftops – so what does it actually mean to be job seeking as an LGBTQ+ candidate, and how do you navigate it?

There are a few research methods at your disposal. Start by taking a look at the support offered to you at the Careers Service: a good first step is our guide on Support for: LGBT+ students.

 

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International Womens Day 2022 – 5 stories of women working hard to #breakthebias

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“Imagine a gender equal world. A world free of bias, stereotypes and discrimination. A world that’s diverse, equitable, and inclusive. A world where difference is valued and celebrated. Together we can forge women’s equality. Collectively we can all #BreakTheBias. Celebrate women’s achievement. Raise awareness against bias. Take action for equality.” – tagline for International Women’s Day 2022

Happy International Women’s Day (IWD)! 

We LOVE hearing your stories, and get to hear so many of them through the various activities and programmes that we run here at the Careers Service; The Bristol PLUS Award, SME internship scheme, Bristol Mentors, New Enterprise Competition and much more.

Today, we are taking the opportunity to highlight and acknowledge a handful of brilliant female students and graduates who have helped to #breakthebias by exemplifying the missions of International Women’s Day through their various projects, start-ups, and volunteering activities. Prepare to be inspired!

IWD mission: To shine a spotlight on activity uplifting and inspiring women to pursue goals without bias or barrier

Arooba Hameed, Year 3 Cancer Biology and Immunology (BSc)

Picture of Arooba
Arooba

Arooba completely embodies this mission and recently won £1000 of funding in the Development Stage of the New Enterprise Competition for the non-profit community group she founded, Higher Education for Asylum Seekers & Refugees (HEAR). HEAR aims to support refugees and asylum seekers in accessing educational opportunities through guidance, training, mentoring & advocacy. (more…)

Extra careers support for LGBTQ+ students

Posted on by Careers Service

At the Careers Service we know LGBTQ+ students can face additional challenges to career thinking. This may include facing discrimination in recruitment practices, and identifying inclusive and supportive workplaces.

To help level the playing field, we’ve compiled the best support and opportunities into one handy document over on mycareer.

We also send out live opportunities in our weekly Flying Start bulletin. Sign up to Flying Start now!

Here’s a taster of the support on offer…

Mentoring & Employability Events

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It’s International Womens Day!

Posted on by Careers Service

Find out Today, the 8 March is International Women’s Day (IWD). The global annual celebration celebrates the social, economic and political achievements of women and simultaneously raises awareness on gender equality.

This week, there are lots of incentives and events taking place nationally and internationally which celebrate women overcoming challenges and creating an impact- however big or small- on today’s society. Although many are taking place today or over the next week, these events should act as a springboard for change over the next 12 months. This years theme is #Choosetochallenge . Here are some ways you can challenge yourselves this International Women’s Day.

Image by Gordon Johnson from Pixabay

Challenge diversity within business

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