Career Zone Podcast

Student Circus: Job support for international students

In this episode of the Career Zone podcast, Mel Nearchou from Student Employability and Academic Success, introduces Student Circus, a valuable resource for international students at the University of Exeter. With insights from Tripti Maheshwari, Co-Founder of Student Circus, and Aryan Jain, a Student Circus ambassador, discover how this platform can help you navigate job-hunting in the UK. Learn top tips for using Student Circus and how to connect with ambassadors for further assistance.

 

Links:

• For current students: https://exeter.studentcircus.com/login
• For alumni: https://exeter.studentcircus.com/alumni-student-registration/WHZQYnp1cEhtRC9kMjB6OWl5SHBaZz09
• Ambassador application : https://exeter.joinhandshake.co.uk/edu/jobs/119893
• Aryan Jain’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aryanjain16/

What to expect when applying for a teaching role as an Early Career Teacher (ECT) Part 3: Simon Holmes, Assistant Headteacher and Head of Sixth Form at Purbeck School

In this week’s episode Luke Graham, Deputy of Secondary Education at the School of Education, is joined by Simon Holmes, Assistant Headteacher and Head of Sixth Form at Purbeck School, to discuss what ECTs can expect when applying for a role. Simon shares what the recruitment process looks like, what they are looking for in candidates and they share their top tips.

Acronyms and Links

• ECT - Early Career Teacher
• ITT - Initial Teacher Training
• TES, formally known as Times Education Supplement
• If you're thinking of a career in teaching you can find more resources and opportunities on the Aspiring Teachers website

Carbon Transitions: Evolution in the Energy Sector

In this week’s episode, Rachel Sloan, Employability and Career Consultant, looks at how the transition away from fossil fuels will affect careers in the energy industry moving forward. As the world commits to transition away from its fossil fuel habit towards cleaner and more sustainable options, what jobs and opportunities will become available and what does this mean for the oil industry?  

Useful Links:

• Student Startups www.exeter.ac.uk/studentstartups. 
• https://www.energy-uk.org.uk/careers/young-energy-professionals/
• Grand Challenges (exeter.ac.uk/students/grandchallenges)
• Create Your Future (exeter.ac.uk/students/careers/employability-schemes/createyourfuture)
• Green Consultants  (exeter.ac.uk/students/careers/employability-schemes/greenconsultants)
• Sector webpages – Energy & Natural Resources

Transitioning from study into a first role: In conversation with Chloe Bayliss, Stakeholder Engagement Coordinator at Cornish Lithium PLC

In this week's episode, Employability and Career Consultants, Nicky Hutchinson and Sunny Lalli talk with Chloe Bayliss, Stakeholder Engagement Coordinator at Cornish Lithium PLC about transitioning from full-time study into the work world.  Chloe shares her strategies and tips on networking and mentoring which helped her secure her first professional opportunity which is based within a small to medium sized enterprise (SME), the benefits of which will be covered in greater detail in a subsequent episode.

 

Further links:

•  Book onto a Networking Essentials and other personal development sessions via Handshake: https://exeter.joinhandshake.co.uk/edu/events?page=1&per_page=25&sort_direction=desc&sort_column=default&status%5B%5D=approved&added_institution_labels%5B%5D=35213
• My Career Zone Digital e-learning course on starting a new job: https://mycareerzone.careercentre.me/u/1hrh0dja
• University of Exeter Career Zone blog article on the craft of networking: https://sites.exeter.ac.uk/careerzone/navigating-the-networking-jungle-essential-tips-for-students-and-graduates/
• Cornish Lithium: https://cornishlithium.com/contact-details/careers/
• Bright Network guidance on starting a new job: https://www.brightnetwork.co.uk/graduate-career-advice/world-of-work/

Grand Challenges: Social Inequality - Students perspectives, part 2

In this week’s episode Olivia, a Student Programme Assistant, is joined by students who completed the Social Inequality Challenge in 2023. Ellen and Maya discuss their project that involved creating an informative and accessible booklet and campaign regarding safety in Exeter in order to help new students feel more confident and safe at university. They share their experiences of completing Grand Challenges, their motivations for joining and the skills they developed throughout the week. 

 Grand Challenges is a project week in which you work in interdisciplinary groups with other like-minded students to design innovative solutions to real world challenges. Top academics and invited speakers share their views and help you apply your skills and knowledge to a real-life problem. It’s open to all students and sign up for Grand Challenges 2024 is now open! Sign ups close on 28 March 2024.

Sign up for Grand Challenges or find out more on the Grand Challenges webpage.

Disclosing Neurodiversity in the recruitment process: In conversation with Sharon Cant, Recruitment Marketing Specialist at Auticon

As part of Neurodiversity Celebration Week, Kate Foster, Employability and Career Consultant, is joined by Sharon Cant, Recruitment Marketing Specialist at Auticon, to discuss neurodiversity in the workplace. Sharon shares her advice on disclosing in the recruitment process as well as the accommodations you can ask for. Sharon also shares her advice on finding a supportive employer.

Useful Links:

• Neurodiversity pages on the Career Zone website: https://www.exeter.ac.uk/students/careers/equality/neurodiversity/
• University of Exeter Neurodiversity Celebration Week 2024 

• Auticon - auticon UK careers

• EmployAbility (employ-ability.org.uk): Employability is an organisation that helps disabled and dyslexic people with the transition from education to employment. 

• Evenbreak | Accessible job search site for disabled people: Evenbreak is a social enterprise that supports disabled people to find employment. 

• Enna: Enna offer support for neurodivergent people to find employment including a jobs board for roles at neuroinclusive employers. 
• Diversita: A recruitment agency that assists neurodiverse job seekers and works with organisations to hire neurodiverse applicants. 
• Exceptional Individuals: Another platform for neurodivergent job seekers where they offer support and provide a jobs board. 
• Leonard Cheshire Change 100 Internship Programme: A flagship programme of paid summer work placements, professional development and mentoring. It aims to remove barriers experienced by disabled people in the workplace, to allow them to achieve their potential. 
• SourceAbled by Rangam: a career portal and guidance for disabled, autistic and neurodivergent people
• MyPlusStudents Club: support disabled students and graduates into employment

 

Grand Challenges: Mental Health - Students perspectives, part 2

In this week’s episode Christiana, Programme Assistant, is joined by students Ben, Lauren, Sam and Abbi who completed the Mental Health Challenge in 2023. Ben, Lauren and Sam discuss their project that involved creating an e-book aimed at parents of pre-teens/teens on navigating social media consumption. 

Olivia, a Student Programme Assistant, is joined by Julia, Indira, Ronia and Lorenzo to discuss their experiences of working on a proposal for an accessibility widget on the iExeter app.    

Both groups discuss their experiences of completing Grand Challenges, their motivations for joining and the skills they developed throughout the week. 

Grand Challenges is a project week in which you work in interdisciplinary groups with other like-minded students to design innovative solutions to real world challenges. Top academics and invited speakers share their views and help you apply your skills and knowledge to a real-life problem. It’s open to all students and sign up for Grand Challenges 2024 is now open! Sign up for Grand Challenges or find out more on the Grand Challenges webpage.  

Environmental Consultancy: In Conversation with Amy Horn-Norris Bradbury, Director of Spalding Associates

In this episode, Dave Gyll-Murray, Employability and Placement Adviser is joined by University of Exeter alumna Amy Horn-Norris Bradbury, Director of Spalding Associates, an environmental consultancy based in Truro. Dave and Amy discuss career pathways, getting work experience, and some valuable skills that are sought after employers in the sector.

Useful Links:

• Environment and conservation sector pages: https://www.exeter.ac.uk/students/careers/research/sector/environmentandconservation/ 
• Work Placements: https://www.exeter.ac.uk/students/careers/jobsandworkplacements/workplacements/ 
• Green Consultants: https://www.exeter.ac.uk/students/careers/employability-schemes/greenconsultants/ 

A focused employability lens for the transgender community

In this week’s episode Kate Foster, Employability and Career Consultant, is joined by Lena Worwood, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Project Support Officer at the University of Exeter. Lena and Kate explore careers from the perspective of finding a supportive employer, navigating the recruitment process and the support available in the workplace.

 

Links and resources:

• Information and advice about your rights and help with finding LGBTA+ friendly employers and jobs - https://www.exeter.ac.uk/students/careers/equality/sexualorientation/
• LGBTQ+ Staff Network at the University of Exeter https://www.exeter.ac.uk/departments/inclusion/groups/networks/lgbtq+staff/
• Exeter Trans and Non-binary Café - https://www.exeter.ac.uk/departments/inclusion/groups/networks/transcafe/
• Gendered Intelligence - https://genderedintelligence.co.uk/
• Stonewall - https://www.stonewall.org.uk/
• Intercom Trust, Devon - https://www.intercomtrust.org.uk/
• Proud2Be, Totnes - https://www.proud2be.org.uk/
• Not alone, Plymouth - https://www.notaloneplymouth.co.uk/
• LGBT Switchboard - https://switchboard.lgbt/ 

How to write an effective application form

In this week’s episode, Nicky Hutchinson, Employability and Career Consultant, shares a simple framework for writing application forms that answers the questions that are on employers’ minds when they are assessing candidates for a job.

 

Useful Links

• You can find more support on our Help with applications pages. https://www.exeter.ac.uk/students/careers/research/helpwith/helpwithcvscoverlettersandapplications/
• Book onto an Effective Application Form session via Handshake
• Book an appointment with the Career Zone to have your CV checked. https://www.exeter.ac.uk/students/careers/about/contactus/