Career support and employability opportunities at Birmingham

When applying to university, I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life and felt very overwhelmed by the constant questions about my future and my career. How am I meant to know what to do with the rest of my life at just 18? So, I picked a degree based on what I enjoyed and hoped I would figure the rest out on the way. Little did I know, UoB would be the perfect place for little career-confused me.

Since coming to UoB, I have dipped my toe in practically everything offered to me and gained so many valuable career skills. Firstly, my course offers multiple employability-focused modules, including a placement module in final year. These are amazing and supportive opportunities to develop transferable skills, such as group dynamics and communication skills.

I also found part-time employment through the university: working within my department as a Student Ambassador, helping settle freshers as part of the welcome team, supporting reading as a Literacy Club Coordinator, and even seeing my face appear in random locations around campus or on the university social media thanks to being a Student Model (Vogue, call me!). It is like I said: I tried everything. All of these different jobs have given me so many different skills and allowed me to develop professionally.

Another huge part of my UoB experience so far has been thestudent societies! These are genuinely my favourite part of university and were something I took into consideration when finalising my choices. This year, I am the Vice President of the English Language and Linguistics Society, which involves planning socials, logistical admin work, and lots of fun working with the committee. I am also the Life&Style Editor for Redbrick (the university newspaper), so I create article suggestions for writers, edit their work, and create pages of the actual printed newspaper that gets distributed around campus. I feel like I am in Gilmore Girls! These society roles are what I talk about most in applications and interviews because of the variety of skills and experiences I have from them.

Finally, the Careers Network has been so helpful. I have used their 1:1 meetings to talk through some career options (and realise some that were not for me). I also recently secured an internship through the B-Experienced scheme that the university offers - providing internship opportunities exclusive to UoB students! The application process gave me a chance to apply all the skills and experience I have earned thanks to the various opportunities at the university, and I finally feel more confident in my career.

Although sometimes I do regret the modelling part when I see the ginormous, permanent, photo of me on campus, being at the University of Birmingham has given me the space to grow from being scared about my future to being exc