Equal opportunities

The Career Zone aims to maximize the career prospects of all our students regardless of race, disability, beliefs, nationality, age or sexual orientation. Find out more information about our Equal Opportunities Policy.

An excellent start for looking at equal opportunity issues and how to approach them in your job hunting is the Prospects web site Equal Opportunities. This site looks at many equality issues and suggests how to approach employers and show yourself to best advantage, whether to disclose and where to seek help if needed. 

Check out the Equal Opportunities white files in the Career Zone Library for specialist employment schemes and you will find free magazines in the Careers Library which address race, age, disability and gender issues in relation to graduate employment

Below are a selection of links listed under different interest groups - if you discover sites that would benefit other students please email Mark Armitage.

Disability and Employment

Listen to the Podcast: "Disability"

A wide variety of employers display the "double tick" symbol on their recruitment literature. This means that the employer will guarantee an interview to a disabled applicant provided that they meet the minimum entry requirements. Check the Equal Opportunities green files in the careers library for firms who actively encourage applicants with disabilities. Your local Jobcentre Plus offices should be able to access the database of employers offering these openings via ESCOM and offer further advice and support

A directory of external agencies which may be able to offer employment-related help to students in available from Careers Reception

  • Skill - The National Bureau for Students with Disabilities. Information and opportunities for post 16 year olds. FAQs including discussion on whether (and how) to declare a disability
  • Employment Opportunities - Assistance to disabled candidates applying for graduate positions. Vacancy information and support (SW office Tel/Fax/Minicom 0117 925 5751, e mail: eopps.bristol@connectfree.co.uk)
  • Equality Challenge Unit
  • EmployAbility - organisation dedicated to assisting people with disabilities into jobs. Organise internships and placements as well as 1:1 advice. (email: info@eability.org. 07852 764 684
  • Jobability.com - job site for disabled people
  • Leadership Recruitment  - placement service for graduates with disabilities with top UK employers (application deadline usually end of March)
  • Employers Forum on Disability - National organisation dedicated to raising awareness (full list of participants in the green files in the Careers Library)
  • Access to Work - Govt Scheme designed to provide help to disabled people who are about to start a job or who are already in work
  • The Arberry Profile - Magazine with news and help for graduate job seekers with a disability
  • Disability Now - Magazine with news and features 
  • Bar Council - the equal opps office offers an introductory scheme for disabled applicants to be linked with practising barristers with a similar disability
  • Group for Solicitors with Disabilities - assistance and advice for would-be solicitors
  • BBC Extend Programme - placements for graduates with disabilities
  • The Papworth Trust - organisation covers a variety of work schemes
  • The Shaw Trust - umbrella organisation for a variety of schemes to get disabled applicants into work
  • Pathways to Publishing work placements for disabled students tel; 020 8579 6002
  • RNIB - Provides a range of opportunities for training and employment for those with visual impairment
  • Action for Blind People - national organisation with employment team based in Exeter
  • Blind in Business - offers an advice service for interviews and applications
  • British Dyslexia Association - Site includes information and help with study and disclosures
  • MIND - (National Association for Mental Health) support and advice includes employment and training scheme, details of local help centres
  • Workways - supporting people in Exeter with mental health issues who wish to enter (or remain in) employment
  • The National Autistic Society - NAS offers an employment service for people with autism and Aspergers syndrome 
  • Equality and Human Rights Commission - Information and advice site

Racial Diversity and Employment

Many organisations actively seek applications from ethnic minorities who may be under-represented in their work force - check the Equal Opportunities section in the green files in the Careers Library

Mature Students and Employment

Mature students have many issues affecting them when they are re-entering the employment market following their degree. It is important to plan for this by allowing plenty of time for job seeking and by seeking advice at the Careers Service to help you meet your own particular career aims. Don't forget that your life experiences before coming to University can be a strong selling point for many jobs.

  • Prospects - offers a wealth of information and advice, case studies and help with applications: A hard copy of the information is available in the Information Room, Careers and Employment Service: File14
  • Employers Forum on Age
  • Age Positive - Government web site  

Gender and Employment