The Careers ServiceLink opens in a new window is there to support you all the way from exploring your options to applying for jobs. It is open to all years, and it's a good idea to get involved with, even in your first year and start exploring your options, as well as getting advice on what opportunities to take part in. We have created a  timelineLink opens in a new window so you can get an idea of what activities you can take part in during each year of your academic career.

To get support from the careers service you can book an appointmentLink opens in a new window to have a discussion with a member of the team about your career planning and choices. They also can provide mock interviews and feedback on applications and CV’s. When booking an appointment you may have the option to book an appointment with your departments dedicated careers consultantLink opens in a new window or you can choose to see any other Careers Consultant or Careers Project Officer. You don’t need to have a career pathway in mind in order to see a member of the careers team, they are there to help you get started on your career planning and will be there to support you through the whole journey.

The Careers Service website also has a lot of online resources and guides to help you in the following areas:

· Finding work experienceLink opens in a new window

· Searching for jobsLink opens in a new window

· ApplicationsLink opens in a new window ie CV’s, cover letters, interviews, testing

· Tips for networkingLink opens in a new window

The service also runs a variety of events that you can sign up to. These include careers fairs, employer presentations, skills sessions etc.

For advice on career planning and why the careers service is important watch the Student Panel video below.

The Students' UnionLink opens in a new window is an independent organisation to the university and it exists to solely provide services for students. It is run by officers who are elected by students! It has hundreds of societies and sport clubsLink opens in a new window available for you take part in. There are so many different activities covered all the way from Quidditch to Amnesty International. There is bound to be something here for you.

Joining societies and sport clubs is a great way to make friends as well as develop new skills. During Welcome Week, keep an eye out for the societies and sport clubs fair where you can explore all the different opportunities available and meet current members. In the first term, a lot of societies and sport clubs also offer taster sessions and free trials. Take this time to throw yourself into activities outside of your comfort zone.

The Widening Participation (WP) Student Network brings together current students from WP backgrounds, creating an inclusive, peer-led community. They aim to empower, educate, and inspire members through information sharing, engaging workshops, and sharing lived experiences. They host a variety of events with themes co-created with students, covering topics from career progression and well-being to social activities like quizzes and crafting. All of their events and activities are free to attend, and there is always plenty of free food!

They warmly welcome all home students who identify as being from a WP background. At Warwick, this could mean being eligible for the Warwick bursary, having caring responsibilities, being eligible for free school meals, entering HE as a mature student, etc. More examples of criteria can be found on their websiteLink opens in a new window.

You can keep up to date with the network by signing up through their website and following their student-run Instagram page @wpsn_warwick.

Volunteering is a great way to help support your local community while challenging yourself and meeting a lot of fantastic people. It is also a great way to gain experience and skills that you can use in the future. Warwick Volunteers have a number of opportunities available for students to take part in all year round for all different causes such as tutoring local students or looking after animals in an RSPCA shelter. Have a look through their projectsLink opens in a new window they have on offer, there are even opportunities to take part in online.

Read about other students experience of volunteeringLink opens in a new window to get more of an idea about what it is like.

The Students' Union is the heart of student voiceLink opens in a new window at Warwick and it is there to represent all students. There are plenty of opportunities for you to get involved with student voice through the SU and your departments. These are a great way to express your views and to represent the diversity of different students at Warwick. Below are a few examples of how you can get your voice heard:

• Student OfficersLink opens in a new window
• Academic Representation
• All student voteLink opens in a new window
• Student Staff Liaison Committee (SSLC)Link opens in a new window
• Module feedback
• National Student Survey (NSS)

At Warwick, you are encouraged to challenge yourself and expand your horizons, studying abroadLink opens in a new window can give you a unique opportunity to enrich your learning. Have a look hereLink opens in a new window for more reasons on why you should study abroad. There are many different opportunities available dependent on your department, and they can vary in length as well.

You may have heard of the Erasmus Programme but the new replacement is the Turing SchemeLink opens in a new window and it is worth looking into. It is the UK government’s programme to provide funding for international opportunities in education and training across the world with a particular focus for widening participation students. It provides an opportunity for UK organisations from the higher education, further education, vocational education and training and schools sectors to offer their students, learners and pupils life-changing experiences to study or work abroad. 

For us at Warwick, it will help us to continue to build on our global connections in our international community, with our staff and students currently working and studying in around 40 countries across the world. This funding means that over a thousand more of our students will have the opportunity to study and work abroad in our global partner institutions.

Part time jobs are not only a great way to make some extra money but they can also develop your skills such as team work, problem solving, communication etc. There are jobs that are available on campus for students:

• Warwick Welcome ServiceLink opens in a new window - Student ambassadors who provide advice and information to prospective students and deliver outreach activity.
• Students' UnionLink opens in a new window - They offer a wide range of jobs that suit students looking for casual work.
• UnitempsLink opens in a new window - They are recruitment service that offers a wide range of jobs on and off campus with varying time commitments.

You can also have a look at retail and hospitality companies in the local area as some offer part time contracts.

Engagement is about universities working with those outside academia to share research, collaborate on ideas, and make knowledge accessible to all. It is about inviting in more voices, and being a role model for the next generation. Through it both we and our audiences gain valuable interaction and dialogue – working together for a fairer society.

It's sometimes referred to as Public Engagement, Impact, Outreach, Widening Participation or several other terms.

Throughout your time at University, you may wish to get involved in these activities and these can add to your skills and enhance your CV.

There are lots of different types of engagement - for example:

• Collaborating on a piece of research/ solutions with community partners​
• Public talks​
• Advising policy makers​
• Working with artists on exhibitions/ installations​
• Visiting schools​
• Consulting patient groups on a clinical trial​
• Live events, social media, website, television, books

To find out more, click here.Link opens in a new window