Hi, I’m Anna, a Trainee Mechanical Engineer at DCA Design International – and just a year ago, I was a Bristol second-year student, trying to figure out how to secure a Year in Industry placement. Today, I want to share how attending one unexpected event (found through my inbox!) ended up shaping my career.
I began my Mechanical Engineering degree at Bristol after suspending my studies in Ukraine due to the ongoing conflict. Very early on, I discovered the Year in Industry programme and instantly loved the idea.
For me, it offered the chance to understand what engineering is like in real life, to adjust my expectations, and to get a sense of what I actually want to specialise in before choosing third and fourth year units. Plus, working on real client projects sounded far more meaningful than another year of exams.
Hi! I’m Lottie and I am in 4th year studying French and Spanish. I was recently recruited by an award-winning PR agency in London, through the SME Internship Scheme.
I am so excited about my internship because I feel like this will be a great start to my career journey. Not only will I be further exposed to the marketing industry, but I will get my first taste for corporate life in London!
Scams come in many different forms, but the people who carry them out are always looking for new ways to make easy money. To detect a scam and avoid being tricked, here are 10 things to look out for:
There’s nothing more encouraging than hearing from someone with a similar background who has successfully navigated the UK job market. We recently invited five international alumni from various sectors to share their experiences of securing graduate roles in the UK.
We were joined by Adil Shaikh from India, a Computer Vision Engineer at DeGould Ltd; Livia Iriawan from Indonesia, an Auditor at KPMG; Linlu Ye from China, the Equality, Liberation and Access Officer at Bristol SU; and Rose Sharon Chin from Malaysia. The event was a full house! If you couldn’t make it, don’t worry, here are the key takeaways that might help you on your own journey:
Don’t underestimate the skills you have gained as an international student
Every international student has a unique story. Adapting to a new education system, adjusting to cultural differences, and navigating day-to-day life builds far more than academic knowledge. Our alumni reminded us that these experiences develop adaptability, resilience, and problem-solving skills. Additionally, the teamwork and communication skills gained through societies, group projects, and part-time work.
Customise your CV
Every speaker emphasised the importance of a well-crafted, tailored CV. Especially from Rose, who has worked in HR, saying that if your CV isn’t tailored to the role, it’s unlikely to get through. Rather than sending out dozens of generic applications, put time into researching the role and company, and show clearly how your experience aligns with what they’re looking for. We also offer detailed CV guidance and 1:1 appointments with our advisors to help you stand out.
It’s okay not to have it all figured out
Not knowing your exact career path after graduation is completely normal. In fact, most of our alumni felt the same way. Trying out short-term experiences like internships, volunteering, or university programmes, such as City Challenge, Bristol Skills Accelerator, or working towards the PLUS Award, helped them explore options and gain clarity.
Rejections are part of the process
Every alum we heard from had their fair share of rejections. The key is to focus on what you can control: improving the quality of your applications, developing your skills, and staying proactive.
And remember, it’s a two-way street. Employers are not just assessing whether you’re right for them; you’re also figuring out if the job and company are right for you. So be humble, stay curious, and don’t let setbacks shake your confidence.
Landing a job isn’t easy, but with the right guidance and advice, the journey can feel a lot more manageable. If you’re interested in hearing more inspiring stories from our international alumni, keep an eye on upcoming events on mycareer. Just filter by ‘International’ under event type to find sessions specifically designed for international students.
How to deal with being “ignored” whilst job hunting
Imagine this scenario. You see a job advertised for a large company. It is advertised as an entry level job, and you are delighted that you meet all the criteria.
Actually, the more you look at it, the more you realise that you are the perfect candidate, and this is the job for you.
You clear your calendar and designate three whole days to writing the application. Dinner with Gran will have to wait.
You get it done. You get it proofread. You lap up the praise. It is perfect. You send it well in advance of the deadline. And you wait for your invite to interview.
And you wait. And you wait. You refresh your email a million times. You check that your phone is working. You google “How long does it take to be called to an interview?” You ask ChatGPT what it would do.
Not hearing back after submitting a job application is far from a new phenomenon, and many people will have tales similar to this one. However, frequency of occurrence doesn’t stop the pain of a ghosting (as many internet daters can contest to!). And it is not just initial applications – it can happen at every stage of the hiring process.
So, what do you do if you find yourself ghosted? Below are a few suggestions that might just help you out:
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
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?
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.
Perhaps you are a final-year or postgraduate student struggling to secure an interview or progress your application for a graduate scheme. Are you feeling demoralised by rejections and overwhelmed by the demands these applications make on your time?
We know that graduate scheme roles are highly competitive, and there is an expectation for students to meet application deadlines while also managing academic demands, this can all lead to a great deal of stress and disappointment.
Reliable information also shows that most graduates do not secure a Graduate Scheme offer. Instead, they often find immediate hire positions both in small and large organisations.
Before we explore the range of graduate roles, let’s debunk some myths about Graduate Schemes. These roles are only a minority of graduate vacancies, not everyone is offered one, and they do not suit everyone.
