Opportunities Week
Opportunities Week, 29 Oct – 2 Nov, has a wide range of activities and events that give students the chance to break out of the core curriculum and take academic skills and experience to the next level. These include Grand Challenge taster sessions, subject specific events run by colleges, and activities run by the Guild and the University. They aim to build engagement with academic ideas, skills to support study at Exeter and look to the future and the world of work. First year students will be given tasters of some of the University’s best research which addresses some of the biggest global challenges of the 21st century. The Grand Challenges launch with wildlife presenter Nick Baker is on Mon 29 Oct, 2pm, Alumni Auditorium. While the Grand Challenges programme is designed for first years, all students are welcome to join in other activities where their timetable allows. See events listing online and watch for iExeter app updates.

University celebrates
The University has climbed to 153rd place in the 2012-13 Times Higher Education World University league table. We are also short-listed for the Times Higher Education University of the Year award, announced on 29 Nov. As you know, we are The Sunday Times University of the Year. Exeter is the most successful university in the history of the Sunday Times Guide, having been short-listed or won the title five times in the last 10 years.

Super students
Last month Geography student Josh Bone ran seven marathons in seven days from London to Paris. He raised funds for cancer charities in memory of his father Ron. Support him via the Virgin Money Giving website. Third year Conservation Biology and Ecology student, Emma Inzani, was awarded South West Lakes Trust’s Conservation Volunteer of the Year for her work at College and Argal Lakes. Jess Hill, final year student in CLES, was named Volunteer of the Year by the RELAYS project, which runs events across the South West to help build a legacy from the 2012 Olympic Games. Mathematics postgraduate Robin Williams played for the Team GB 5-a-side blind football squad in the Paralympics – read about it on the Sport website.

Boat House Opening
Hundreds of students and alumni attend the opening of the Nicholas Bull Boathouse. Five new boats were also purchased for the club by the Athletic Union. The Boat club will be looking to improve on their impressive season last year, when they scored 96 points in the British Universities and Colleges Sport competition. Pictures are on the UniversityofExeterSport Facebook page.

Stand out from the crowd
The Exeter Award is an achievement award for current undergraduate and taught postgraduate students. It is designed to enhance the employability of students by providing official recognition of extracurricular achievements and activities. With around 300,000 graduates entering the job market each year, a degree is no longer enough to get you started in your career - stand out from the crowd by registering for the Exeter Award.

Careers and Placement Fair
Visit the Careers and Placement Fair on Tues 23 Oct, 11am-3pm, at the Great Hall and Sanctuary. More than 80 recruiters are seeking to hire Exeter students to their placement and graduate programmes. Exhibitors include Danone, Estée Lauder, Jaguar Land Rover, Lloyd’s of London, and the Co-operative Group. Sponsored by BDO. My Career Zone has more details and exhibitor list.

Considering postgraduate study?
A Postgraduate Study Fair on Weds 21 Nov, 1-3pm in the Street, Forum, Streatham Campus will give information about the range of taught Masters and research degree options available at the University of Exeter. The Fair is open to anyone interested in postgraduate study at Exeter. Staff from colleges will be available to discuss options with you and there will be information on how to apply and potential funding sources, including the University of Exeter Progression Scholarship.

Career Mentors available
The Career Mentor Scheme gives second year undergraduates the opportunity to work one-to-one with someone working in their chosen future profession. Mentors can provide guidance, insight, contacts and general employability support. 119 mentoring opportunities are available, partnerships begin in Feb 2013 and last for up to one year, with monthly contact by email or telephone. Info and application online.

Student Entrepreneur in Residence
A new Student Entrepreneur in Residence is helping support students with business ideas. Matthew Rusk, a summer graduate who founded a music tuition company during his first year, is based at the Career Zone in the Forum. Weekly drop-in times are Mondays 10 - 2pm, Wednesday 1 - 5pm and Thursdays 10 - 4pm, at the Enterprise and Self Employment desk or email Matthew.

Paid student internships
The University of Exeter manages two well-paid internship schemes for students to undertake career enhancing roles with support and training both on campus and with external companies. There are also subsidies paid to small companies if students arrange their own internships with them. Read more online.

Student Ambassador search
If you’d like to be a student ambassador and work on various widening participation and student recruitment events, apply via the ambassadors website by 2 Nov.

Pudsey Bear’s coming
BBC Children in Need will be broadcasting live from the Forum on Fri 16 Nov. Starting at 1.30pm, there will be live feature broadcasts by the BBC Spotlight team as well as live links to the national TV network programme throughout the evening. The Students’ Guild is taking an active role in the Pounds for Pudsey campaign, a new national partnership between the BBC, NUS and National Students Fundraising Association (NaSFA) aimed at getting students involved in raising money for local charities through BBC Children in Need.

Follow the library
The Library has launched a new Facebook page, Library news blog and Twitter accounts @ExeterUniLib for Exeter or @FXLibrary for Cornwall.

Online reputation matters
Graduate recruiters are increasingly using social media to let students know about jobs and placements, and it is common practice for employers to google applicants. We would advise students not to post anything on social media sites that you wouldn’t be happy for potential employers to see.

Sunrise swim
St Luke’s indoor heated swimming pool is now open to casual swimmers between 8-9am, Monday-Thursday, staffed by lifeguards. Membership is not required. Call St Luke’s Sports Centre on 01392 724940 or visit the sport website.

Try some new sport
No strings badminton offers a social way of playing a great sport with no commitments. Sessions are on Tuesdays 7-8pm at the Sports Park, £2, email for info. RockSolidCircuits on Mondays, 5.15-6pm, lets you work at your own level while instructors encourage improvements. Like the UniversityofExeterSport Facebook page, or call 01392 724452.

Christmas crafts
The Career Zone is hosting a student Christmas Craft Fair in the Forum on 7 Dec to support Exeter’s entrepreneurial students and craft makers. If you’d like a stand email by 9 Nov. Display and electricity provided.

ExeNet upgrades
The University is investing £6m over three years to upgrade our data network using cutting edge technology, to get a more resilient, faster network and greater wireless coverage across the Streatham and St Luke’s campuses. An upgrade to the network within Harrison, Physics, Amory and Thornlea is underway, to be completed by May 2013. Reed Mews and Kay labs have been upgraded. Disruption will be minimised for building/IT users. See the project web page.

Until Fri 26 Oct
International Virtual Careers Fair

Sun 21 Oct – Sun 4 Nov
Print Power: A history of Exeter through the Student Press
Exhibition as part of the celebration of 25 years of Exeposé
Location: The Forum, Streatham Campus

Tues 23 Oct, 5pm
Authoritative Knowledge and the Question of the Public Role of the University
Dr Deborah Osberg (Exeter)
Includes the inaugural lecture for the new Centre for Higher Education Research.
Booking essential – email Tamara Snell
Location: BC114, St Luke’s Campus

Mon 29 Oct, 2pm
Grand Challenges launch
with TV wildlife presenter Nick Baker and Guild president, Nick Davies.
Location: Alumni Auditorium, Forum, Streatham Campus and Chapel Lecture Theatre, Cornwall Campus.
Register via email

Fri 2 Nov, 5.15pm
Inspiring Science lecture
Matter in motion: the fascination of fluid dynamics
Prof Andrew Gilbert, University of Exeter
Location: Harrison Building, Room 004, video-linked to Lecture Theatre 2, Peter Lanyon Building

Mon 5 and Tues 6 Nov, 9.15-11.45am and 1.45-4.15pm
Blood donation sessions
Appointment essential - call 0300 123 23 23
Location: The Great Hall, Streatham Campus

Tues 6 Nov, 1pm
Dialogues with difference in the European arena
Professor Julie Allan (University of Stirling)
Location: BC114, St Luke’s Campus
Contact: Tamara Snell

Weds 7 Nov, 12-5pm
Art in the dock, Science in the stocks: Collider - exploring hybridity
Egenis sci/art workshops to bring together artists, scientists and social scientists.
Come for one session, or stay for them all. Speakers include Dr Katharine Tyler, Dr Robin Durie, Dr Staffan Müller-Wille, Dr Mitchell Travis and artists Pery Burge and Susan Boafo, with a sound installation by Paul Ramsay.
Part of the ESRC Festival of Social Science
Location: Gallery 20, RAMM, Queen Street, Exeter
Further details:
Contact: Claire Packman, 01392 725126

Weds 7 Nov, 7.45pm
FREE Concert: 'Industrial Folk: Songs and Stories of Working Life'.
The event will be led by Dr Sarah Hayes (Centre for Medical History) and will feature folk musicians Michael Mathieson (Mad Dog Mcrea) and Olivia Dunn (The Phil Beer Band).
Location: Barnfield Theatre, free tickets from Box office 01392 270891

Tues 13 Nov, 6.15pm
Hamlyn Lecture 2012: Rt Hon Jack Straw, MP
The Human Rights Act and Europe
Location: Alumni Auditorium, Forum, Streatham Campus
To attend email Andrea Schoefbeck

Weds 14 and Sat 17 Nov
Diwali Celebrations on Streatham Campus
Explore the regions of India this year at Diwali celebrations finishing off with a fantastic performance from the Asian Society and fireworks.

Fri 16 Nov, 1-2pm
Mental Health Research Group Seminar
How to improve the nation’s parenting so children form more secure attachments and behave more considerately
Prof Stephen Scott (Kings)
Location: PMS 18 Lecture Theatre, Peninsula Medical School, St Luke’s Campus
Contact: Sue Bosley

Thurs 22 Nov, 12-2pm
Thanksgiving Lunch
Location: Terrace Restaurant, Devonshire House, Streatham Campus

Exeter Northcott Theatre events

Weds 24 Oct
The Lighthouse opera

Thurs 25 and Sat 27 Oct
Albert Herring opera

Sun 4 Nov
Stones and Bones family theatre

Tues 6 – Sat 10 Nov
Farm Boy family theatre