
Welcome to the brand new Career Zone Podcast. In each episode, staff from the Career Zone discuss careers related topics that‘s on students‘ minds right now. Our goal is to help prepare you for life and work after University, offering quality assistance and advice throughout your course, and for as long as you need it after Graduation. We’ll help you with a wide range of enquiries, such as: CV and application form advice, booking 1:1 appointments, advice on finding work experience, graduate jobs, or postgraduate study, Guidance for interviews and assessment centres, Helping you decide which of our free workshops and events will be right for you. Visit: www.exeter.ac.uk/careers or email careers@exeter.ac.uk Follow us on Instagram @uoecareers or @uoecornwallcareers and include the #careerzonepodcast so that we can follow up in a future episode Find our Spotify playlists on topics including Creative Careers, Getting into Law and Getting Ready to Graduate, search ex.ac.uk/thecareerzoneplaylists
Episodes

2 days ago
2 days ago
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

7 days ago
Careers in Product
7 days ago
7 days ago
In this week’s episode, Oliver Laity, Careers Information and Systems Manager, is joined by Eve Carney and Allan 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

Wednesday May 21, 2025
Wednesday May 21, 2025
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/

Wednesday May 14, 2025
Personal Responsibility in the workplace - What does it really mean?
Wednesday May 14, 2025
Wednesday May 14, 2025
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:

Wednesday May 07, 2025
What is the graduate labour market looking like, May 2025
Wednesday May 07, 2025
Wednesday May 07, 2025
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

Wednesday Apr 30, 2025
Developing the skills you need for a placement, internship or graduate role.
Wednesday Apr 30, 2025
Wednesday Apr 30, 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.

Friday Mar 28, 2025
Placements 101: Being Money Smart
Friday Mar 28, 2025
Friday Mar 28, 2025
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/

Wednesday Mar 26, 2025
What is a B Corp and why might you want to work for one?
Wednesday Mar 26, 2025
Wednesday Mar 26, 2025
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/

Friday Mar 21, 2025
Placements 101: Prioritising your wellbeing whilst on Placement
Friday Mar 21, 2025
Friday Mar 21, 2025
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/

Wednesday Mar 19, 2025
Green Consultants: What's in it for you?
Wednesday Mar 19, 2025
Wednesday Mar 19, 2025
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.