One-Off Volunteering – Give two hours and make a lasting change

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Hi, I’m Emily, Volunteer Coordinator at Bristol SU. 

Over the past year, the Bristol SU Volunteering Team have been running ‘One-Off Opportunities’.

These are group volunteering opportunities with various organisations across Bristol, that students can take part in on a flexible and ad-hock basis. I love joining in with these sessions, to chat to the fantastic student volunteers and learn why they’ve been some of our most popular opportunities.  

During Student Volunteering Week (Monday 10 to Saturday 15 February), we’ll be providing a range of events, talks and workshops to help you find your perfect volunteering role. This includes a number of One-Off Opportunities.

Be the first to hear about our events by joining our One-Off Opportunities WhatsApp Chat, and sign up to all events on the Student Volunteering Week campaign page.   

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From India to Bristol: career growth and learning as an international MSc student

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Blog post written by Srishti Anand

Image of Shrishti standing next to a some of the university gardens around Clifton campus

My name is Srishti, and I had the privilege of studying for my MSc in Business Analytics at the University of Bristol from 2023 to 2024. Coming from India, this was not only my first experience studying abroad but also my first time living in a new country. Adjusting to a new environment and culture was initially daunting, but the supportive and nurturing atmosphere at Bristol quickly made it feel like home.

Even before arriving in Bristol, I had secured the role of General Secretary for the Bristol Indian Society, which became a meaningful way for me to stay connected to my roots while building a sense of community in my new home.

Soon after settling in I joined TEDx Society as Co-Lead for Speaker Curation and Development, and I was honoured to serve as the Course Representative for my programme. These roles were more than just titles—they became integral to my experience, allowing me to engage deeply with my peers and contribute to the vibrant campus life.

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So you want to get into wildlife TV?

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Guest post by Liz Bell

Bristol is a great place to be if you want a career in television production. It’s renowned for the wildlife and factual programmes made by the BBC and the many independent companies based here, and with its close-knit professional community it’s an excellent alternative to the sometimes cut-throat London scene.

But if you’ve done your research, you’ll know that it’s not easy to get your foot in the door. Competition is fierce, jobs are rarely advertised and everybody wants someone with tons of experience (which you haven’t got because no one will give you a chance).

As a former TV producer, I get a lot of questions from people wanting to break into the TV industry. So here are my top tips to answer that perennial question: as a recent or soon-to-be Bristol graduate, how can you make yourself stand out from the crowd and get a job?

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My SME Internship: Ellie – Disability Inc. 

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Hi, my name is Ellie, and I’m a PhD student in the Life Sciences Building. I carried out a 4-week SME internship in a social enterprise, Disability.Inc., which is part of a charity called WECIL. 

The internship was in the workASSURED team, who aim to remove in-work barriers for Disabled staff by providing recommendations about reasonable adjustments. I initially shadowed meetings with staff, their managers, and their HR contact and I worked with a colleague to write-up the recommendations reports. By the end of the internship, I took on my own case, which definitely pushed me outside of my comfort zone, but also showed me how much I’d learnt during my internship.

Ellie, a wheelchair user wearing an orange jumper, is smiling at the camera. She is sat on a pier next to crashing waves.
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My SME Internship: Gunjan – PANDEK

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Hello, I’m Gunjan, studying an MSc in Marketing. I had the incredible opportunity to intern as a marketing and copywriting specialist at PANDEK in Bristol. 

My transformative internship experience

A photo of Gunjan in London

This SME internship was a perfect fit for my career aspirations, focusing on marketing strategies and content development that aligned seamlessly with my academic background and personal interests. 

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My SME Internship: Helen – Clifton Suspension Bridge Visitor Centre

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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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Graduate stories: my reflections on stumbling into the Civil Service Fast Stream

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My name is Tom, and I work as a strategy officer in the government’s Ministry of Justice, as part of the Civil Service Fast stream. Here I am, outside the Victoria rooms in August 2023, graduating with a degree in chemistry.

This day was marked with smiles in the pictures, but a heavy heart. I was sad to be leaving behind my university years and making the step into the world of work.

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Explore the Expansive Futures careers series

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Are you interested in hearing from professionals who have built interesting and fulfilling careers in arts, humanities and social sciences?

Do you want to know how the arts, humanities, and social sciences develop crucial skills that allow you to thrive in the modern world?

If so, the Expansive Futures series is just what you need!

What is the Expansive Futures series? 

The series takes place between 11 February and 18 March and consists of 14 events to help you explore the career options available to you with a degree in arts, humanities and social sciences.

These events will give you an opportunity to hear from expert professionals on career opportunities and pathways in particular fields of work. No matter what year you are in or how much you thought about your next steps, the Expansive Futures series will have something for you.

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From awkward to awesome: navigating networking events like a pro

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Several exciting networking events are coming up within the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences and the Faculty of Science and Engineering – see mycareer events to book on.

These will allow you to network with professionals working in industries linked to your degrees.

However, some words will always strike fear into hearts – and ‘networking’ is one of them. Speaking to professional people you’ve never met before can be intimidating – particularly with lots of other students and staff around.

So, what is networking, why do we do it, and how can you make the most of it?

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PGCE or PGDip? A quick guide to postgraduate qualifications

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If you’re thinking about postgraduate study, then you won’t be the only person having trouble distinguishing your MPhil from your DPhil, or a PGCE from a PGCert. Here are a few of the main postgraduate qualifications explained.

Masters degrees

e.g. Master of Arts (MA), Master of Science (MSc), Master of Education (MEd)

Often referred to as a “taught masters”, these degrees usually take one year full-time (or two years part-time). You will typically attend lectures and seminars for about nine months, leaving another three to research and write up your thesis. 

Some choose to do a Master’s because it is advantageous or required for their chosen career, whilst others want to challenge themselves or enhance their knowledge of a subject.

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