Careers support

We have won national awards for delivering outstanding services including work placements, social enterprise support, commitment to the employability agenda, support for student entrepreneurship and sustainability learning for employability. We have over ten different schemes including:

Ask An Alum - a fuss-free way to connect with University of Exeter alumni to ask careers questions. You can be introduced to alumni working in your field of interest whatever that may be at the time of applying. 

Aspiring Teachers - pulls together a range of opportunities on campus for those interested in a career in teaching or education. 

Career Development for Sustainability - enables students from any discipline and any year of study to develop their skills and gain experiences in the sustainability sector. 

Career Mentor Scheme - matches a student or graduate with an experienced professional, for sector insight and one-to-one careers advice and guidance, over a 6 month period. 

Create Your Future - for 1st year students providing the opportunity to think about what you want from your future, and the practical steps to get there. 

Gateway to Careers - offer students insights and experience in typically hidden career pathways. 

Get Ready to Graduate - has information if you are about to complete studies and graduate from Exeter.  

Grand Challenges - a project week in which you will work in interdisciplinary groups with other like-minded students to design innovative solutions to real-world sustainability problems. 

Green Consultants - an award winning programme designed to provide students with additional skills and experience required to work in the highly competitive environmental and sustainability sector. 

HEAR (Higher Education Achievement Report) - an enhanced transcript that provides information on academic achievements, prizes and awards as well as selected extra curricular achievements. 

Professional Pathways programme - a suite of sector-specific training courses and paid 35-hour internships 

The Exeter Award - an employability achievement award for current undergraduate and taught postgraduate students. It will help you stand out from the crowd and give you the confidence to shout about the experiences you've had at university. 

The Exeter Leaders Award - for students who are keen to develop their leadership skills. It will help you reflect on your leadership style and techniques, and set clear, achievable goals for self-development. 

At the Career Zone, we want to help you with your career planning, whatever stage you are at. Whether it's a case of not knowing the sector you’re interested in yet or the options that your degree offers you. Or perhaps you are very clear on your chosen career, want to skip those early stages and get help with your applications. We provide: 

• individual guidance interviews 
• psychometric testing 
• employer presentations 
• guidance on preparing your CV and making applications 
• coaching for interviews 
• skills sessions to help you develop the skill sets employers seek 
• a variety of webinars and online content an extensive careers library 
• career and personal development workshops. 

Our China Carer Ready and India Career Ready programmes are available to all students, no matter what programme or level you are studying at. It is for students from China or India who may want to work in the UK or return to their home country, as well as any other students who are interested in working in China or India during or after their studies. They combine an online learning programme and live workshops to provide you with tailored guidance with your career planning. 

We host a range of virtual, in-person and hybrid employability and employer events. From workshops and alumni panels to careers fairs and employer drop-ins, there is something for all students in terms of skills development and access to employment opportunities.  

Careers fairs

Throughout the academic year we host a range of careers fairs attracting national, regional and local companies. They are designed to provide you with access to a range of employers offering part-time work, internships, placements and graduate opportunities. These companies are keen to recruit Exeter students, making them a fantastic opportunity for you to access potential future employers. 

Handshake is our career development platform providing a menu of services for students and graduates. Handshake allows you to discover employers and opportunities, submit applications, and attend career fairs and other events. 

• With a Handshake account, you will be able to: 
• Build your profile 
• Upload a CV 
• Register for Careers Fairs 
• Search and apply for jobs 
• Search and book onto events and sessions 
• Attend careers appointments virtually (and in-person)