Meet Rose, a current finalist and Career Ambassador at the Careers Service, studying Politics and International Relations.
Your university years fly by faster than you think – but the best part? You have those years to cultivate the career you want. Your first year is the prime opportunity to start exploring those options. Here are the tips I wish I had, to begin building those foundations in my first year.
Explore!
It can be easy to get overwhelmed at the start of your university journey. Some have lots of exciting ideas about career prospects, other are not sure at all!
I found that a great place to start was mycareer’s guide on ‘Exploring Career Options’. This guide can help you gain more information on your interests. It is also a great option in first year, to ensure you keep all doors open. Now is the time to explore all the possibilities that come your way and make the most of them!
Thinking about careers can easily slip to the bottom of the list when you’ve got other things on. The uncertainty of “what next” can be de-motivating and sometimes it can be simpler to just not think about it.
Get Hired, our spring careers fair, is happening onWednesday 19 March from 12:30 pm to 4 pm atBristol Beacon.Third Bridge who are sponsoring this year’s fair have kindly provided a blog that is written by a Bristol alumni.
Hi I’m Amelia, when I graduated from the University of Bristol in 2020 in the midst of the pandemic, I put my travel plans on hold and started looking for a graduate job in London with no real idea of what I wanted to do. I had studied Russian at Bristol, and loved the exposure to different cultures through the department and my year abroad in Tomsk, so all I knew was I wanted to work in a multicultural environment where I could meet people from different backgrounds.
Bristol Mentors is now open for applications for home UK students returning for study in 2025/26.
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.
“I was delighted to gain a place on Bristol Mentors last year. As the programme got closer, I knew I didn’t have a clear vision for how I wanted my future to look, and in truth I hoped someone would tell me exactly what I was supposed to pursue. The beauty of having a mentor is that whilst they can’t make those decisions for you, they can do a great deal to help you figure it out.
As I got to know my mentor, we discussed interests and avenues I was considering, allowing her to help me consider relevant opportunities and ideas. Throughout the year, I attended networking events and applied for summer programmes. If ever I felt I was out of my depth or imposter syndrome kicked in, I knew I had my mentor to guide me and cheer me on.
After my year as a student mentee, I had the chance to join the project team and help the running of the programme as a Student Associate. This gave me an even greater appreciation of mentoring as I was able to see so many other students benefitting and the work that goes on behind the scenes.
From where I am now, I see mentorship as a journey like a trail of falling dominos; one connection, one opportunity, one piece of guidance, can set off a chain reaction that keeps you moving towards your potential. To any fellow student reading about this opportunity I would highly recommend you make the time to apply.”
Bristol Mentors provides successful student applicants with an alumni mentor working in the professional sector they are aiming to break into.
Visit the Bristol Mentors webpage to check if you are eligible for a place on the programme and to get your application started.
If you have any questions or queries, contact the team on alumni-mentoring@bristol.ac.uk
Hi there, I’m Caitlin, a recent graduate and a Careers Support and Graduate Engagement Intern.
As I navigate my own career journey, I’ve come to realise that self-doubt can be a common experience especially when stepping into something new. One of the most challenging aspects of this is imposter syndrome – that nagging feeling that you don’t truly deserve your success, or that you’re not as capable as others might think.
If you’ve ever felt this way, you’re certainly not alone. Research reveals an estimated 70% of people have experienced some form of imposter syndrome in their lives, including highly successful individuals. The positive news is that there are practical strategies available to help you manage these feelings and approach your job search with renewed confidence.
Chambers of Commerce are membership organisations which businesses can join to access services to help them grow and play a part in their local business community.
They exist around the world at the local, regional and national level. Bristol Chamber of Commerce is run by Business West.
You can easily find Chambers for your nearest home town or city by searching online.
Members come from a wide range of sectors; financial services, the legal sector, engineering, education, manufacturing, marketing, media, property, and many more.
Whilst Chambers of Commerce exist to help their business members, not students or graduates directly, here’s how you can use them to dramatically increase your job or work experience prospects:
1.Access up-to-date sector information
Chambers typically run committees or forums dedicated to different sectors and regularly publish reports or blog posts. You can find a wealth of detail about sectors you’re interested in, wherever you wish to work in the world. Example reports include Detroit’s automotive industry. Subscribe to Chamber newsletters and social media accounts to keep informed on the latest developments.
2. Develop useful relationships
Chamber networking events present an excellent way to make professional connections. You can attend many of these as a non-member, and they are often free or low cost. Look for events aimed at students or young professionals, or which are more informal rather than those aimed exclusively at business development. If in doubt about whether you would be welcome, contact the Chamber to ask. Although independent of Bristol Chamber, Bristol Young Professionals offer another way to meet people in the city and they are happy for professionally-minded students to attend their events.
3. Find jobs and internships
Many Chambers advertise positions suitable for students and graduates, either within the Chamber itself or with their members. You can also access the “hidden job market” by approaching members speculatively, ideally having first built a relationship with people working for your target employers. See our sample cover letters and advice on making speculative applications.
TOP TIP for international students or anyone wanting to work abroad
At the University of Bristol, we strive to create meaningful opportunities that prepare students for the future while fostering a positive impact. The Berkeley Square Challenge, a collaborative initiative between the School of Education, Transform Society, and the Careers Service, is a positive example of this in action.
Hi, I’m Louise, I graduated from the University of Bristol in 2022 and I now work at Ocado Technology as a Graduate Hardware Engineer.
My university experience
In 2018 I began studying for an integrated master’s degree in Mechanical and Electrical Engineering. The first three years of my degree were transformative in building my confidence and passion for engineering.
One of the best extra-curricular activities I did during my time at university was being a Course Representative as this helped me to get to know both my cohort and my lecturers. During my second year I also completed the Bristol PLUS Award, a programme organised by the Careers Service. The best thing I gained from this programme was learning how to articulate the value I had gained from my extra curricular experiences in my CV and in job interviews.
Back in 2018, when I decided to study English at Bristol, careers were the furthest thing from my mind. I was passionate about reading and literary history, especially the political contexts of my favourite novels, plays and poems, and knew that Bristol would be the perfect place to develop.
Navigating your career path can be a daunting experience, but the University of Bristol’s recruiter in residence series makes it easier. This opportunity invites employers to campus, offering you the chance to meet and engage directly with the people who could shape your professional future.
