The University of Exeter is committed to supporting students who want to graduate into their perfect job and there is no end to the invaluable support I’ve received. As well as studying for my Law degree I also run my own online business, Rosalind James. It’s often hard enough juggling academic work, societies and a social life at university so being the Company Director of a fledging business as well can make life a bit stressful.
Thankfully, the University of Exeter fully supports student entrepreneurship and when I asked for help, the employability team put me in touch with an incredible business mentor through the Career Mentor Scheme. Aimed to give students a direct link into their chosen industry, I have found the scheme incredibly beneficial and can’t recommend it highly enough. My mentor Anne (who runs a multi-million pound international dancewear company and is an MBE!) has been an infallible source of inspiration and encouragement to me, helping me to improve, develop and expand Rosalind James during my time at Exeter. As a result I have just secured £5,000 business development funding from the EU which means I can keep working on Rosalind James whilst spending this year abroad in Bilbao, Spain as part of my Law degree.
Whether I decide to pursue Law as a career or dedicate myself completely to my business, Exeter has given me the best possible opportunity to maximise my employability and it’s fantastic to know that there are people here to help you, whichever career path you choose.
Emma Green, 3rd year LLB Law with European Study
Throughout my time at Exeter I learnt so much. The course spans such a wide selection that you’d be hard pressed to find something that wouldn’t fascinate or interest you! I’m not an academic and I don’t find it easy to sit and read paper after paper so for me it was the practical experiences and field trips that helped and allowed me decide what I wanted to do. Even after you leave you feel like you’re part of the team, you know support is on your side. In fact I learnt of my current position from the University. Working with marine turtles was never something that had really crossed my mind until I studied them for my dissertation; now I’m hooked. I left university knowing that everything I had learnt would come of some use, and it has. I have had a paper accepted for publication, conducted research and worked on grant proposals, that’s not including the amazing field work I am able to do to protect such a majestic creature from extinction. I know I am making a difference and without the amazing support, friendly, enthusiastic staff at the University I wouldn’t be where I am today!
Harriette Taylor, BSc Conservation Biology and Ecology (2:1), 2008
Project Co-ordinator, SOS Tartarugas (Turtles), Cape Verde
As part of my time at university I wanted to get some work experience and to boast my employability so I looked into possible summer internships between my second and third year. I found out about the Shell STEP Program that is run here in Exeter by the University. I applied for a few jobs I was interested in and that were related to my degree and was offered a job working with Exmoor National Park with the Rural Housing Project. My placement was to researching the amount of affordable housing that was needed within the park’s boundaries for those who could not afford to buy their own home or were struggling with rent. The research was carried out through a Housing Needs Survey being sent to every household within the park boundary. It was then my job to process the surveys, input the data received, analyse the results, and finally produce reports for each parish outlining how many people are in need of local affordable housing in the area.
This was a very large task as over 5,500 households were surveyed and challenges were meet along the way. However, overcoming these difficulties has been rewarding and the project has been very enjoyable. The project has given me lots of experience in a working environment and I have developed many skills including self-motivation, teamwork, problem solving, communication and time keeping. As the project was related to my degree it has also introduced me to a profession I would like to develop further in my career.
Lucy Heather, 3rd Year, BSc Geography
I joined the Student Ambassador Scheme in my first year at Exeter and I have loved every minute of it. As soon as the training was over, the opportunities to work came in. Student Ambassadors meet with prospective students and their parents, lead campus tours, attend Open Days and talk about their experiences at University. But that’s just the beginning. As a Senior Student Ambassador, I also get to travel around the country representing the University at UCAS conventions. Sharing my enthusiasm for my course and Exeter student life with prospective students is a lot of fun. The most exciting work I do is in local schools and colleges, giving talks about student life and running workshops with small groups of students aimed at raising their aspirations for the future. I visited a group of Year 10 students at a local school on a six week tutoring programme – seeing them becoming more and more enthusiastic about education, and the career paths open to them, was really rewarding.
Gareth Littler, 3rd Year BA Philosophy and Political Economy
I wanted to study law so that I could become a solicitor. In order to do this, I needed a good degree result and a training contract. I chose Exeter because of the quality of its law degree and the fact that Exeter law graduates are well regarded by legal firms. During my time here, I have really enjoyed the course. The lecturers are interested and approachable, making it easy to get the most out of your degree.
Many of the big legal firms come to Exeter to give presentations and to attend the Law Fair. This is a great way to make initial contacts and make yourself known to recruiters. We have a fantastic careers service and I received support with preparing my CV, checking application forms and interview technique. If you combine this support with the opportunities that Exeter provides to get involved in activities such as mooting, you end up with a strong application. As a result I was lucky enough to receive four training contract offers.
I have accepted an offer from Michelmores, who were one of the fastest growing law firms in the country. They have just been nominated for Regional Firm of the Year. It is very exciting to be starting my career with such a prestigious firm.
The support and quality of the course here has meant that I have secured a training contract and I can now concentrate on the rest of my degree course without the additional worry of funding my Legal Practice Course.
Lara Moore, LLB Law
I am passionate about conservation so was delighted to be able to go straight into a paid job in the industry once I had graduated, thanks to contacts made through the University. My degree taught me so much about natural history in the UK and the South West in particular so it allowed me to carry on living and working in Cornwall, which I love. The course provides lots of field work to gain first hand knowledge of the UK’s flora and fauna, along with the evolutionary and ecological background of the species you’re identifying and studying.
My job entails educating passengers on the boat about marine wildlife and the delicate ecosystems which they are a part of. It has allowed me to explore Falmouth’s amazing marine life including basking sharks, bottlenose dolphins and sunfish and I am constantly learning more about the diverse organisms in the area. In the future I hope to continue a career in marine conservation and I’m sure the skills I learned through this job and my degree will help me to do so.
Laura Bailey, Biosciences Cornwall Graduate
