XClose

UCL Careers

Home
Menu

Employability support at UCL makes your career search more manageable

Emilia Privat, second-year English student and journalist, explores the Careers Service and how they can help you Find Your Future, whilst at UCL and beyond.

emilia_privat_web_ready_800x500.jpg

12 January 2022

It can be difficult to think about future careers when the present workload of university itself can be overwhelming. Through a range of options, UCL Careers makes that process more manageable. Enjoy exploring how much is available to you! 

Some arrive at UCL knowing exactly which career they’d like to pursue. Several change their minds, and many are overwhelmed with either an abundance of, or–what can occasionally feel like—a lack of, options. Regardless of where you stand, UCL Careers is here to provide guidance, including through One-to-One Appointments, resources to find opportunities, Themed Career Weeks, and Careers Extra. 

One-to-One Guidance Appointments 

Short Guidance 

UCL’s short guidance appointments address general career ideas. Whether you don’t really know what you’d like to pursue or have more specific ideas, a Career Consultant can help you explore your options. During those 20 minutes you can also discuss how to:

  • gain certain skills
  • find opportunities
  • prepare for selection tests, and what to expect during interviews.

These discussions, amongst others, serve as a starting point to clarify ideas about your future. You can book up to three appointments per term here.

Applications Advice

For more specific advice related to applications for any opportunity, book up to three appointments per term here.

The appointments are a great way to receive personalized tips on how to improve your application and increase your chances of being selected for the position.

You should arrive with a draft of your application, whether it’s for a job, internship, work experience, volunteering project, research position, or scholarship. Knowing what you’re applying for will allow the Career Consultant to guide you from the recruiter’s perspective. 

Top tip: Prior to an appointment, get instant feedback on your CV

Finding Opportunities 

Opportunities range from work experiences, research positions, further study, funding, volunteering, and competitions. Here are some sources to help with your search:

  • myUCLCareers jobs board: Employers advertise positions on this job site, which features exclusive opportunities for UCL students  
  • Simulated work experience: Bright Network and Forage lead programs which can increase your employability and help you gain new skills through simulated work experiences. Industry experts often present the content, and the application processes are typically short. 
  • Unitemps at UCL: Register with Unitemps to receive updates specific to jobs you may be interested in—both part-time and full-time and within several UCL departments. 
  • Students’ Union Jobshop: Find vacancies for part-time roles mostly tailored to campus. 
  • UCL’s internship toolkit: Read to better understand how to find an internship and how to make the most of one before, during, and after it. 
  • Career Essentials Online: Access career resources such as video tutorials and interactive exercises through this modular e-Learning course. 
  • GoinGlobal: Looking for international opportunities? Access country-specific resources for job and internship vacancies, as well as career guides. 
  • UCL Bentham Connect: Filter UCL alumni mentors by industry sector or course studied to learn about their experiences in their respective professions. 

Top Tip: Read this ‘Working during your studies’ article to understand your working eligibility in the UK.

Themed Career Weeks

Deepen your understanding of what certain industries entail and how you can succeed in them through panel discussions and presentations. You can book your place up to two weeks in advance to attend and hear from UCL alumni, Careers Consultants, and industry professionals. If you wish, when given the profiles you can research the speakers beforehand to inspire questions which you can then ask during the event’s Q&A.

Upcoming sectors covered in Term 2:

  • Book: Charities and NGOs: 24 - 28 January
  • International Development: 31 January- 4 February  
  • Museums, Arts, and Cultural Heritage: 7 - 11 February
  • Sustainability: 28 February - 4 March
  • Life Science: 7 - 11 March
  • Government and Policy: 14 - 18 March 

    Careers Extra 

    This is a bursary scheme for UCL undergraduates from under-represented groups. It includes an alumni mentoring scheme, a buddy scheme for first years, one-to-one career appointments, Moodle resources, and priority booking for some UCL Careers events. Check here for more information and guidance concerning eligibility.