In this week’s episode, Rachel Coombes, Employability and Career Consultant speaks with Jasmine Thomas-Campbell, a current PhD student, about her journey to studying for a PhD. Jasmine shares what led her to pursue a PhD, how she found and applied for the right opportunity and why transferable skills really matter. Useful Links: Choosing postgraduate study webpage (exeter.ac.uk/students/careers/pgstudy/) Help with applying for Postgraduate Study (exeter.ac.uk/students/careers/research/helpwith/helpwithapplyingforpostgraduatestudy/) Book onto skills sessions via Handshake including: Personal Resilience; Time and Stress Management and Networking Skills.  Find a PHD website (https://www.findaphd.com/)

Rachel Sloan, Employability and Careers Consultant explores how AI is shaping sustainability policies and procedures in the workplace. Rachel looks at both the positive and negative impacts of AI on sustainability in the workplace. Useful Links: Help with researching an employer.  Help with using AI | Career Zone | University of Exeter This episode was devised by Dr Dawn Lees with input from generative AI software ChatGPT, and was recorded by Rachel Sloan.

In this episode Employability and Placement Adviser, Alexa, speaks with Elly a current 4th year Business and Management with Industrial Experience student who completed her placement year at Unilever.    Here Elly and Alexa discuss how you can remain resilient and keep yourself motivated throughout recruitment processes.   For further support, why not book onto one of our upcoming sessions on; Personal Resilience skills sessions Networking Essentials Re-energising your job search sessions LinkedIn | Career Zone | University of Exeter

In this week’s episode, Oliver Laity, Careers Information and Systems Manager, is joined by Eve Carney and Alan Stewart from the University’s Digital Transformation Team, to discuss product management as a career. Eve, Head of Product, and Alan, Product Manager, share what is meant by a product management role and share their career journeys. They offer advice to students on how to get into this field, the skills to develop and where you can find opportunities. Useful Links: Book onto a skills session via Handshake. Find out more on the sessions we run on our Personal and Professional Development webpage. (https://www.exeter.ac.uk/students/careers/events/personalandprofessionaldevelopment/) Contact the University’s Digital Team to find out about work experience opportunities in product management

In our Law podcast mini-series of Autumn 2024, our Law Employability and Careers Consultants; Rachel, Tess and Sunny, talked to experienced professionals from both legal and non-legal sectors to hear their career experiences and advice. In this bonus episode, Sunny Lalli, Employability and Career Consultant, talks to Ben Ainsley Gill, an international law arbitration lawyer. Ben and Sunny seek to define arbitration in international business law, examining the skill sets required to work in international arbitration, discussing differentiation between practice in private international law and public international law. Together they recount tips on how to prepare a for a career in arbitration. Further resources touched upon in the episode: University of Exeter Career Zone sector page on law: https://www.exeter.ac.uk/students/careers/research/sector/law4nonlaw/ Listen to our podcast episode on International Law with Maria Smirnova, Human Rights Officer at the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. (https://pod.fo/e/27ea18) You can book onto a Career Zone Networking Skills session via Handshake.  Vismoot: https://www.vismoot.org/ Frankfurt Investment Arbitration Moot Court: https://www.investmentmoot.org/

Personal responsibility is about acting with integrity, honesty and self-awareness – owning your actions and learning from your mistakes. In this week’s episode, Rachel Haddy, Employability and Placements Adviser, highlights three key aspects of personal responsibility: accountability, following through on commitments and authenticity. Rachel shares how admitting mistakes, managing your workload honestly and owning both your strengths and weaknesses can empower you to take ownership of your performance and personal growth.   Useful Links: Importance of saying no podcast. (https://pod.fo/e/26d7a3)

We last looked at the Graduate Labour Market in December 2024 and a lot has changed since then. In this episode, Dawn Lees, Student Employability and Development Manager, looks at the current state of the graduate labour market, focusing on the relationship between politics and the economy.* Dawn shares insights on how the global situation has impacted the graduate labour market as well as sharing advice to help you succeed if you’re looking for a graduate job. Links and Resources : If you would like help making career decisions or exploring your career/further study options, please contact the Career Zone to book a Guidance appointment. Public sector page (Is it currently social guidance and services?) How to research an employer page Book onto a CV/Application form advice session via Handshake Book onto a skill session via Handshake, topics include Problem Solving, Communication and Collaboration and Personal Resilience. Attend one of our Employer Events, book via Handshake. *Data mentioned in this podcast is from May 2025

In this week’s episode, Andrea Hodges, Employment Schemes Manager, is joined by second year student Olivia Osborne, to discuss how you can develop your skills, gain experience and build your connections. Andrea and Olivia share their advice on how you can demonstrate the skills you have when applying for jobs. Andrea also highlights the schemes you can utilise at the University, whether you are looking for a placement, internship or graduate role. Although this episode focuses on the South West, the skills and experience discussed are relevant to all work experience opportunities. Useful Links: University of Exeter - Internships (https://www.exeter.ac.uk/students/careers/internships/) University of Exeter - Work Placements (https://www.exeter.ac.uk/students/careers/jobsandworkplacements/workplacements/) Book onto a CV/Application form session via Handshake. Book onto a skills sessions via Handshake. Listen to our Placements 101 podcast episodes.  Prioritising your wellbeing whilst in placement Being money smart

The second episode of Placements 101 focusses on money – how to manage your finances while on placement. Everyone’s financial situation is different and how you manage money is a personal choice. In this episode Anya and Immy share their experiences and offer practical advice on how they handled their finances during their placements.    If you're unsure what you want to do with your third year, or need some extra support/guidance from students who have recently returned from a year out, then check out our new placements 101 mini-series. Join Anya and Immy, fourth year students as they share their experiences of placement life. Find more support on our work placement webpages: https://www.exeter.ac.uk/students/careers/jobsandworkplacements/workplacements/ Explore wellbeing support for Streatham students: https://www.exeter.ac.uk/students/wellbeing/ Explore wellbeing support Penryn students:  https://fxplus.ac.uk/mental-health-and-wellbeing-support/

In this week’s episode, Nicky Hutchinson, Employability and Career Consultant is joined by Scott James, Partner of Ward Williams Associates – a certified B Corp. Scott explains what it means to be a B Corp, how it has shaped Ward Williams as a business, and  the benefits of working for one. He also shares valuable insights on what prospective job applicants should know about B Corps when preparing for interviews.   Useful Links: Ward Williams Website: https://wardwilliams.uk/ The BCorp Directory: https://www.bcorporation.net/en-us/find-a-b-corp/ BCorporation website home page: https://bcorporation.uk/ Green Consultants: (ex.ac.uk/greenconsultants) Scott James, Partner, Ward Williams Associates LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottjamesprojects/

If you're unsure what you want to do with your third year, or need some extra support/guidance from students who have recently returned from a year out, then check out our new placements 101 mini-series. Join Anya and Immy, fourth year students as they share their experiences of placement life. The first episode of Placements 101 focuses on prioritising wellbeing whilst on placement - a really important topic. Life abroad or working can be a huge shift from student life and many struggle with the initial adjustment period. Take reassurance in the fact that you are not alone and the majority are feeling the same way. Anya and Immy discuss what they did whilst on placement and what they would appreciate knowing in hindsight with regards to wellbeing and mental health. Useful Links: Find more support on our work placement webpages: https://www.exeter.ac.uk/students/careers/jobsandworkplacements/workplacements/ Explore wellbeing support for Streatham students: https://www.exeter.ac.uk/students/wellbeing/ Explore wellbeing support Penryn students:  https://fxplus.ac.uk/mental-health-and-wellbeing-support/

Helen Hicks, Programme Officer, talks with Bella and Raishal, students who have completed Green Consultants. Bella and Raishal explain what the Green Consultants programme is and share the skills and benefits they gained from completing the programme.   Useful Links:  Green Consultants: (ex.ac.uk/GreenConsultants) Find out more and start the training now. Book onto skill sessions via Handshake. 

Helen Hicks, Programme Officer at the University of Exeter, introduces the Aspiring Teachers programme and the range of opportunities available to you. Helen is joined by Leanne Galloway, an Early Years Adviser and Ofsted Inspector, who shares her top 5 skills that you need if you are thinking about a career in teaching. Helen also discusses how you can go about gaining teaching experience to work out where your passion lies. Useful Links Start the training now on the Aspiring Teachers webpage. (ex.ac.uk/aspiringteachers) Find out more about the Learning for Teaching module. (https://education.exeter.ac.uk/study/teachingexperience/) Book onto a skills session via Handshake

Current fourth year students, Immy and Anya, share their experiences of working within the Placements Team in their role as Student Campus Partner (SCP), a paid internship with the University of Exeter. They discuss how they secured their roles, what they enjoy most about the position, and the benefits it offers students. SCP roles are available in other sections of the Career Zone and across the university.   The Student Campus Partnership (SCP) is exclusively for Exeter UK and international students who want to secure paid work on campus. The scheme promotes paid internships that are available across the university's campuses in Exeter and Penryn.   Useful Links: Find out more about Student Campus Partner (SCP) roles and sign up to the Student Internship Bulletin:  https://www.exeter.ac.uk/students/careers/internships/scp/ Find out more about Student Business Parnter (SBP) roles and sign up to the Student Internship Bulletin:  View current vacancies on  Handshake by searching for SCP or SBP in the job search. Sign up to a CV or Application form session via Handshake.

The decision to change or leave your course will be something only a handful of students consider, but for those in their first year this is a decision that can weigh heavily on you. If you are not enjoying your studies or feeling that university currently is not for you then continue listening. In this episode we hear Careers Consultants Sarah Blunt and Fiona Hartley talking about the options and help available for those who find themselves uncertain if their degree is for them. We also hear from James a Finalist on the BA Film Studies course. James shares his own experience of the decision to switch both subject choice and institution before finally coming to Exeter. We explore how he felt about making the decision and what influenced his next steps before talking about the support he received and sharing his own advice and tips for anyone finding themselves in a similar situation. For more information and advice about the options you have and signposted support  listen to podcast 1 or read our dedicated Career Zone webpages Thinking of Leaving or Changing Course | Career Zone | University of Exeter ‘ Other useful articles on this topic Changing or leaving your course | Prospects.ac.uk also addresses the FAQs asked by students on this topic. Further Support from Exeter University Students’ Union – Guild or SU: Offer advice and support.  For more information about the support available: Changes to your studies - Student Life Knowledgebase (exeterguild.com) Interruption - Student Life Knowledgebase (exeterguild.com) Exeter - Advice Service (exeterguild.com) Penryn - Advice (thesu.org.uk)

This week Zuzanna Radecka, Partnerships and Global Employability Officer, is joined by students Hannah and Josh, to discuss their experience of taking part in the EAIE Conference. Hannah and Josh share how they have applied the skills they developed from their Global Leaders Experience to real life situations, how their experience has influenced their career aspirations and provide advice to students considering applying for a Global Leaders Experience. The Global Leaders Experience is a unique opportunity to develop your intercultural skills as part of a short, outbound mobility experience. Typically a week in duration and covering themes such as sustainability, human rights and digital heritage, you will travel to a significant city or location outside of the UK and be immersed in the local environment, presented with real-world challenges and work closely with a diverse range of other students and professionals.

In this week’s podcast, we consider commercial awareness in your job search and future career: what is it, why employers value it and how it can benefit you. Rachel Sloan, Employability and Career Consultant, explores how you can improve yours and how your commercial awareness will be assessed when you are applying for jobs.  Useful Links: Explore sectors and opportunities on the Career Zone website.  Use the University Library Guides to find company information.  Access Industry Reports on My Career Zone Digital.  Find out more about the range of employability schemes available to Exeter students.  Forage provides access to virtual work experience programmes with some of the world’s leading companies.  For more advice on finding internships and work experience and finding a part time job, sign up for an advice session on Handshake.  Use Glassdoor to discover what an employer is really like through reviews and ratings from people who have worked for them.  The Student Room has forums where students discuss work in different industries and sectors.  Use you Exeter email address to register and explore Employer Job Guides on Graduates First.  This episode was written by Melissa Benson and recorded by Rachel Sloan.

In this episode Tess Read, Employability and Career Consultant, talks to undergraduate Molly Miles, on her experience of getting a placement and a training contract. Molly shares her experience of how she found a placement just by speculative asking, how much she enjoyed her year, and how it led to that prized goal - a fully funded training contract. In addition to this episode you can find more information to help with career planning here; University of Exeter Career Zone , My Career Zone Digital , Law and legal services: Information for Law and Non-Law Students , Employability for Law Students and The Law School.   Other links: If you're a current Exeter student, you can book onto a Time and Stress Management session via Handshake. 

Kate Foster, Employability and Career Consultant, is joined by recent alumni Evie to discuss upReach, a social mobility charity that partners with the Career Zone to support students in receipt of the Access to Exeter bursary to develop their employability. With 28% of current students receiving a bursary, Evie shares how she found out about upReach, the activities she got involved with and the advice she would give to her first year self. You can find out more about upReach and whether you are eligible for support on the upReach website.

In this week’s episode Nicky Hutchinson, Employability and Career Consultant, focuses on the importance of having a master CV. Nicky explains what they are, why it is good practice to keep one and explores the kind of experiences you can include in yours.   Useful Links: Sign up and complete The Exeter Award Book onto a skill session via Handshake Access the online training for Green Consultants Find out more about Professional Pathways Check out out Help with CVs webpage Listen to our CV of Failure  episode.