Welcome to the Careers Service Blog!
The LeedsUniCareers blog aims to enable peer-to-peer learning amongst students and graduates on all things career related, coupled with input from our expert advisors, employers and other organisations.
If you’re feeling inspired by what you read, are interested in writing for the blog, have ideas of topics you’d like us to post about or want to share your own experiences, please get in touch – we’d love to hear from you! E-mail us at CarSocialMedia@leeds.ac.uk including “Careers Blog” in the subject.
Sign into MyCareer for appointments, events and vacancies.
Being autistic and in a graduate role – Morgan’s experience & tips
Sometimes it can feel like being autistic and entering the job market is an uphill battle, especially when only 16% of autistic adults are in full time employment. I want to share my experiences and tips for finding work while autistic to help others in a similar situation. My name is…
Keep reading
The Roadmap to Developing Skills Digitally
Skills, skills, skills… it seems like that’s all employers talk about nowadays. As students and purveyors of jobs, you may have wondered what skills you already have, or how you can further develop your existing skills. With so many opportunities – both virtual and in-person – readily available nowadays, there are…
Keep reading
Ways to boost your employability with Click Start
Finding the time to focus on developing new skills or exploring different sectors can be hard when you’re in the middle of your studies and have so many things going on. That’s where online learning tools come in handy – you get valuable courses on several different topics that you can…
Keep reading
Spring Careers Festival 2024
Announcing our Spring Careers Festival 2024! On 14 March, the University of Leeds campus is the place to be. From 11am-3pm, we have an incredible line-up of employers across campus. Looking for a grad job? Maybe you’re after the dream placement? It’s time to make it happen! To book, click on the…
Keep reading
How can LinkedIn Learning help enhance your job applications? – Ways to boost your employability with online learning tools!
Have you ever looked at a job description, seen all the required skills they were asking for – and thought: how can I get all that experience? We know especially in your final year; it can be scary when you first start looking for jobs and you feel as if you…
Keep reading
Fighting Placement Fears: Why a year in industry is for everyone!
Join me on my mission: to get EVERY student at the University talking about a year in industry! Before I started University, I wouldn’t have imagined anyone on a humanities course undertaking a year in industry (interchangeably known as a placement year). I had the misconception that a placement year was…
Keep reading
Leeds Apprenticeship Recruitment Fair 2024
Interested in learning more about all the opportunities that apprenticeships have to offer you? Did you know that you can access them even after you graduate? Apprenticeships are paid jobs which include training and qualifications so you can earn as you learn. They are designed to combine studying with practical training…
Keep reading
Brighter Future Grants are Back!
In partnership with Santander Universities, we’re offering 10 University of Leeds students the chance to win a £1000 Brighter Futures Grant. How could £1000 help you? Whether you put the cash towards accommodation and bills or a swanky new laptop or tablet, the choice is yours! All University of Leeds students…
Keep reading
Discovery Weeks 2024
Thinking about your future career, and realising you don’t know where to start? Or perhaps you have an idea but don’t know how to make it a reality? Take a look at our upcoming Discovery Weeks which include lots of information about different industries and opportunities. Each week has a different…
Keep reading
January Wellbeing Reminders
It’s January which means you’ve probably heard talk of New Year’s resolutions, hyper productivity and maybe had the sentiment of ‘New Year, New Me’. As much as these can be positive, as we make big plans for the goals we wish to accomplish, the little things can go amiss. Or you…
Keep reading
Class of 2024
Calling all finalists – we’re launching our Class of 2024 campaign especially for you! Class of 2024 is our bespoke support for finalists through your final stretch of university, after you graduate and for life. The Careers Service is here for you every step of the way. We know that your…
Keep reading
You’re (Not) On Your Own, Kid – So Come By For A Drop-In!
Writing CVs… putting together a cover letter… hunting for graduate roles or summer internships… these tasks can all be so overwhelming: especially when you have no idea how to start or where to look. Like many students, you may be feeling baffled by the mystical world of careers, but too anxious…
Keep reading
Placement Year at Johnson & Johnson
Hello! My name is Hannah and I have just started my final year of studying Biochemistry at the University of Leeds, having just come back from a placement year at Johnson and Johnson where I worked in Regulatory Affairs. One of the main reasons to apply for a placement is you…
Keep reading
My journey on NGDP – Maria’s life after Leeds
Hello! My name is Maria and I graduated from the University of Leeds in 2020 – the first summer of COVID – with a BA (Hons) Arabic and International Development. I then completed an MA in Advanced Migration Studies at the University of Copenhagen in 2022 and returned to Britain to…
Keep reading
Day in the life of a Fast Streamer
Hi! I’m a second-year Generalist Fast Streamer. I’m currently on secondment with a charity called Women in Prisons (WIP), and in my first year I worked on projects within the Ministry of Justice (MoJ). I’ll be giving you a bit of insight into what a day as a Fast Streamer looks…
Keep reading
Starting my first graduate role – Tips on avoiding the “first-day” nerves
Starting a new job and feeling a bit nervous about this new stage in your life? Like many graduates who are about to start their new roles in the next few weeks – I was also feeling anxious about embarking on the next stage of my journey. After so many years…
Keep reading
Alumni Leadership Mentoring Programme: Penelope Milner’s Case Study
Penelope talks about her time in the programme and gives insights on what she gained from her time with her mentor. Hi there! In May, I completed my final year studying Geography BA with Quantitative Methods at the University of Leeds. Throughout my time at Leeds, I tried to immerse myself…
Keep reading
Alumni Leadership Mentoring Programme: Eryl Hoban’s Case Study
Eryl talks about her time in the programme and gives her advice on how to make the most out of this experience. Hi! My name is Eryl, and I graduated from the University of Leeds in 2023. At University, I read BSc Economics (Industrial) which included a placement in my third…
Keep reading
What to do if you’re lost as a grad
Just graduated and not sure what your next steps are? I know you’ve probably heard this all before but you’re not alone! In fact, it took me three jobs, a voluntary role and a Masters degree before I even had a vague idea of what I wanted to do. If you’re…
Keep readingSyd’s story: my time as a Graduate Support Intern
Hi, I’m Syd! I’m the current Graduate Support Intern at the Careers Service. As my 12-month internship is coming to an end, I wanted to share what I’ve been up to this past year. I graduated in 2022 and started working full-time at the Careers Service in July. I work in…
Keep reading
Meet the Leeds Alum on the Network Rail graduate scheme
Three ex-university of Leeds students, Lily, Matt and Annabel, have joined the Network Rail graduate scheme since completing their degree. Wondering if this is an option for you? Keep reading to find out more about their experiences. Lily – Graduate Project Manager: It can be so hard to make decisions when…
Keep reading
Craving some bite-sized career content?
Let us introduce you to Steve Haines, co-author of the book ‘How to Go to Work’ and our new partner who has some productivity tips just for you! Hey, Class of 2023! How are you doing? Here at the Career’s Service, we get that this period can be overwhelming. With exams,…
Keep readingFinal Years’ Checklist
Hey Finalists! Congratulations – you’re in the final stretch of your degree! As part of our Class of 2023 Campaign, we want to remind you that the Careers Service is here for you for life. So there is no rush to access our careers services before you leave campus. But, to…
Keep reading
Alumni leadership mentoring programme: a case study
Serena talks about her time on the scheme and gives her insider tips for future students looking to apply. Hi! My name is Serena, and I graduated in 2022 in BSc International Business. I was on the alumni mentoring scheme in 2022-23 in my final and fourth year of study after…
Keep reading
Alumni leadership mentoring programme: case study
Natalia talks about her time on the scheme and gives her insider tips for future students looking to apply. My name is Natalia. I graduated from the University of Leeds in 2022 with a Bachelor’s degree (Ind) in Nutrition. I commenced the Alumni Leadership Mentoring Programme in 2021 and finished in…
Keep reading
Careers staff and their career journeys: Claire Alford
At school I received low grades and had nothing planned for my future. I temporarily worked full time at my dad’s food business, which he wanted me to take over, but this wasn’t what I wanted to do. With support from other family members, I decided to go to college to…
Keep reading
Learn to be an inclusive leader through the Circl Leadership Programme
One of our Employability and Progression Assistants, Iqra, recently graduated from one of Circl’s Leadership programmes! Want to know all about what the programme is like and the valuable leadership skills you could develop? Keep reading! What is the Circl Leadership Programme? Circl gives 18-24-year-olds from under-represented [low-income/face barriers in life…
Keep reading
Careers staff and their career journeys: Jason Law
When I was at school, I always wanted to be a doctor. I had considered engineering but decided to follow the medical route because I wanted a challenge and to help others. I focused on my studies at school and got the grades needed to enter medical school. However, I always…
Keep reading
The Value of Workplace Experience: How a Year in Industry Complements Your Degree
Transitioning from the second year of an undergraduate degree to the third (and potentially final) year can be a daunting one. The prospect of graduation and employment being a matter of months away can leave a sense of panic and anxiety, and we often think that we need to have it…
Keep reading
Make your next career move squiggly!
What is a squiggly career? There are ups and downs when you go about finding your “dream job”, and ‘squiggly career’ means exactly that’ a career journey which doesn’t follow a linear route like a line on a graph. Instead, your line fluctuates and won’t consistently be straight. Like a graph,…
Keep readingClass of 2023: A sneak preview of what you can access as a graduate
We’ve said it before, and it’s worth saying again (because we really do mean it), our Careers Service is here for you for life! That means that even after you’ve graduated, you can keep on chatting to our wonderful career advisors in 1:1 appointments that can be booked on MyCareer, and…
Keep reading
The beginner’s go-to-guide for finding a job
With thousands of different vacancies, from hundreds of different employers, in dozens of different industries, it can be difficult to know where to begin in your search for a job. Whether you are a first year looking for some work, a second year searching for an internship or placement year, or…
Keep readingFinding work when you have a disability
Finding work when you have a disability can seem like a daunting prospect. From wondering how employers will react, to knowing what adjustments to ask for during the application and interview stage, it can all add to what can already be quite a stressful experience. However, things are not as daunting…
Keep reading
InLeeds – If you’re looking for a reason to stay in Leeds, this is an event you won’t want to miss…
You’ll be glad to be a grad in Leeds… If you’ve decided to stay in Leeds as a graduate, or if you’re looking for reasons to stay, you don’t want to miss InLeeds 2023. Back and better than ever, join us for this online event series, happening over Zoom on 20…
Keep reading
Take your next steps towards volunteering with Student Volunteering Week!
Student Volunteering Week is here and we can’t wait for you to be a part of it! Keep reading to find out why you should make volunteering a part of your student experience and how to get involved in our events.
Keep reading
How to make connections and boost your employability
The ability to make connections effectively is one of the most useful career skills to have, whether you are in work or seeking work. Making connections can help you: Success in three steps Success in making connections depends on you being prepared, clear about your objectives and willing to nurture relationships. Following these…
Keep reading
A Day in the Life of a PSA
Peer Support Assistant and History student Etta breaks down a day in her life on shift at the Careers Centre!
Keep reading
Swerve those interview nerves with careers adviser and former student / graduate recruiter Pablo Costa
Interviews and presentations, presentations and interviews…these two activities cause more anxiety and stress to your typical student than pretty much anything else. Tell me if I am wrong, but what other academic activity keeps you from sleeping normally, or is an incessant thought in your head? You might say to me, Pablo…err, hello!… have you ever heard of…
Keep reading
Spring Skills Weeks
A new semester means new opportunities to boost your employability, right? Well, you can count your lucky stars as the Careers Service are bringing YOU four Skills Weeks to help you develop your skills this spring! This is what we’ve got lined up so far: Recruitment processes week | 6 February…
Keep reading
How the Careers Service can help you!
The Careers Service is here to help you make decisions and plan the steps to a bright future. From finding work or further study to working out your interests, skills and aspirations – we can provide you with the expert information, advice and guidance you need. It doesn’t matter if you…
Keep reading
Kickstart 2023 with LinkedIn Learning’s ‘Career Goals’
It’s January – and we all know that a new year means new resolutions – time to reset and rethink your goals. Whether you’re a student and looking to gain experience in your chosen field alongside your studies, or a graduate, on the path to carving out the perfect career for…
Keep reading
Working Internationally: How to turn your dreams of working overseas into a reality!
Working abroad can be an exciting and rewarding experience that appeals to many students after graduation. Being in a new environment is a great way develop new skills and to learn and grow in ways that you wouldn’t think of at home. But getting employment in different countries varies depending on…
Keep reading
GradSkills: Course Opportunities for Graduates
GradSkills offers free, short term and engaging courses to those who have graduated from a West Yorkshire institution between 2018-2022. Here are 5 reasons you should sign up for a course with GradSkills! Interested? Here are our upcoming courses: Developing Project Management Skills for Graduates Are you a recent graduate interested…
Keep readingUnlock Success with Practice Interviewer: Your Gateway to Interview Excellence
Are you currently on the job hunt or preparing to step into the professional arena? Look no further than Practice Interviewer! It’s an online mock interview platform that’s tailor-made for university students and graduates. Practice Interviewer is designed to help you refine your interview skills and increase your chances of success. …
Keep reading
Careers Service Blog 