Career Zone Podcast
Education & Explainer
About
Welcome to the Career Zone Podcast! Brought to you by the University of Exeter, this series discusses important thoughts on students’ minds right now. Visit: www.exeter.ac.uk/careers or email careers@exeter.ac.uk Follow us on Instagram @uoecareers or @uoecornwallcareers and include the #careerzonepodcast so that we can follow up in a future episode #work #careers -#recruiting #employability #careerzone
Episodes
- Sophia's PhD Journey, Part 2
Final year PhD student Sophia shares insights into her research journey, emphasizing adaptability and the support resources for PhD students. This is the second part of her story.
- Working in Higher Education: In conversation with Nathan Mayne, Professor of Astrophysics and Planetary Climates.
Professor Nathan Mayne shares his career path in Astrophysics and Planetary Climates, detailing his rise from a working-class background, his experiences navigating academia, and his advocacy for student mental health and support. He is a…
- Benny's PhD Journey, Part 2
First-year PhD student Benny discusses his doctoral research journey with Kate Foster, an Employability and Careers Consultant. Benny shares his experiences with research, teaching, conferences, and the Mature Access Pathway programme.
- Risk assessments: What they are and why they matter
This episode discusses the nature and importance of risk assessments, highlighting their role in various graduate careers such as engineering, finance, IT, and environmental fields. It also provides advice on skill development and gaining…
- Top Tips from International Alumni: In conversation with Bhumika and Rutuja.
Joan Wright talks with alumni Bhumika Mathkar and Rutuja Lokare about their experiences studying and working in the UK after coming from Mumbai. They discuss the India Career Ready Programme and insights into the UK job market for internat…
- Introducing Green Consultants
This episode features Helen Hicks and Harriet discussing the Green Consultants employability programme. They cover the programme's components, including online learning, projects, and internships, and Helen offers advice for students.
- Working in Corporate Sustainability: In conversation with alumni Mathys Reiss, Climate Action Associate
Nicky Hutchinson interviews alumnus Mathys Reiss, Climate Action Associate at WBCSD, about his journey into corporate sustainability. Reiss shares advice on job hunting resilience, standing out to employers, and the importance of networkin…
- Using LinkedIn without losing yourself
This episode of the Career Zone Podcast discusses the challenges students face with LinkedIn, exploring the balance between finding opportunities and avoiding performative content. It offers advice on authentic self-promotion, engaging wit…
- ADHD and Academia: In conversation with Sian Robinson, Senior Lecturer
Sian Robinson, Senior Lecturer in Human Resource Management, shares her career path and experiences with ADHD in academia. She discusses strategies that helped her and how openness about neurodivergence influences her teaching and student…
- Global Leaders in action: Student experiences from the EAIE Conference
Students Zabi, Jeremy, Kunal, and Owen discuss their participation in the EAIE Conference, detailing how the Global Leaders Experience shaped their career goals and applied skills. They offer advice for prospective participants.
- Showcasing the skills from your degree
This episode of the Career Zone Podcast focuses on the skills acquired directly from a university degree. Employability and Careers Consultant Rachel Sloan explains how to articulate these technical, academic, and personal skills effective…
- Working in Higher Education: In conversation with Layal Hakim, Associate Professor
Layal Hakim, an Associate Professor in Mathematics and Statistics at the University of Exeter, shares her academic path, highlighting her PhD
- Placement Year Unpacked: A Conversation with Placement Ambassadors
Career Zone Podcast features employability consultant Ben Toulson in conversation with placement ambassadors Sophie Hartop, Abi Brookes, and Sasha Clark. They discuss their experiences, including what they gained, how they secured placemen…
- Working in Higher Education: In conversation with Professor Beverley Hawkins, Dean for Taught Students at the University of Exeter
The episode features Professor Beverley Hawkins, Dean for Taught Students at the University of Exeter, discussing her academic path and experiences with physical disability impacting her working life.
- Sophia’s PhD Journey, part 1
Kate Foster, an Employability and Careers Consultant, speaks with Sophia, a second-year PhD student, about her doctoral research journey. Sophia shares her motivations, the challenges encountered, and offers advice to students considering…
- Making the most of career opportunities at university
Student Frederick Proctor discusses maximizing university career opportunities with Will King. Frederick shares his involvement in programs like Create Your Future and the Exeter Award, and offers advice on planning and prioritizing.
- Benny’s PhD Journey, part 1
First-year PhD student Benny discusses his motivations for pursuing doctoral research, the challenges encountered, and offers advice for students considering a PhD, in conversation with Kate Foster.
- The importance of being curious
Dawn Lees, Student Employability and Development Manager, explores the importance of curiosity for career development. The episode provides insights into how curiosity aids in the workplace and offers practical tips for its development.
- Law Mini-Series: International Law: In conversation with Felix Tang, Young barrister Hong Kong, Chairman of the Standing Committee of Young Barristers of the Hong Kong Bar Association
Felix Tang, a barrister in Hong Kong and Chairman of the Standing Committee of Young Barristers of the Hong Kong Bar Association, discusses his career path and experiences at Exeter. This episode is part of a law mini-series focusing on le…
- Working in Higher Education: In conversation with Graham Perkins, Associate Dean for Education within the Business School
Graham Perkins, Associate Dean for Education and Associate Professor in HRM, shares his journey from a background with no prior university access to becoming a professor. He details his professional and academic path in Human Resource Mana…
- Inside the world of Bid Writing: In conversation with Matt Light, Director at AscellaHealth.
This episode features Dawn Lees in conversation with alumnus Matt Light, Director at AscellaHealth. They discuss career pathways in Bid Writing, essential skills, and the role of teamwork in securing contracts, drawing on Light's 15 years…
- Law Mini-Series: Securing a Training Contract: In conversation with Grace Light, current Law student.
In the Law mini-series, Employability and Career Consultant Tess Read interviews current law student Grace Light about her journey to securing a training contract. Grace emphasizes the importance of attending events, utilizing resources li…
- How to network at a careers fair
In this episode of the Career Zone Podcast, Employability and Careers Consultant Sunny Lalli and BSc Human Sciences graduate Zack Islam discuss how to network at careers fairs. Zack Islam shares insights on how preparatory research can enh…
- Law Mini-Series: Community Law Clinic. In conversation with Evalyn Anstiss, recent Law graduate
Tess Read speaks with recent law graduate Evalyn Anstiss about her experience at the Community Law Clinic. Evalyn shares insights into the benefits of the clinic and its role in developing her professional skills and confidence.
- Exploring sustainability at a careers fair
Sunny Lalli and Rachel Haddy discuss methods for exploring sustainability values during careers fairs. They provide links to B Corp and CSR Windo resources.
- Planned Happenstance: Turning Chance into Career Opportunity
Dave Gyll-Murray explains Krumboltz’s Theory of Planned Happenstance, a concept focused on preparing for and capitalizing on unexpected career opportunities. The episode covers five essential skills for navigating the unplanned: curiosity,…
- Reflect: Know yourself
Student Employability and Development Manager Dawn Lees explains the importance of self-reflection for career planning after graduation. The episode covers identifying interests, strengths, skills, preferences, values, and motivations.
- Getting Focused: Using your decision-making skills to choose a career
Dawn Lees, Student Employability and Development Manager, discusses how to use research and self-knowledge to make informed decisions about career paths and identify the most interesting job sectors.
- Explore your options
Dawn Lees, Student Employability and Development Manager, explains how to explore career opportunities, whether for graduate roles or further study, by expanding your knowledge of occupations, sectors, and organizations.
- Taking Action
This episode of the Career Zone Podcast focuses on taking action after career reflection. Guest Dawn Lees explains how to actively pursue graduate roles or further study opportunities to transition into the workplace.
- Thinking of a career in the Civil Service?
Kate Foster, Maddy, and Stephen discuss the Civil Service Fast Stream program, a pathway to management roles and policy shaping. They cover the recruitment process, inclusivity initiatives like the Social Mobility Network, and offer prepar…
- The advantages of working for small medium enterprise (SME): In conversation with Chloé Bayliss of Cornish Lithium
Chloé Bayliss of Cornish Lithium joins hosts Sunny Lalli and Nicky Hutchinson to discuss roles within the company and the experience of working for a small to medium-sized enterprise (SME). Bayliss contrasts SME environments with larger co…
- 8 Surprising Sources of Career Inspiration
Nicky Hutchinson, an Employability and Career Consultant, discusses surprising sources of career inspiration and shares tips for identifying your next career steps. The episode also highlights resources for exploring degree options, sector…
- What are you going to do when you graduate?
Nicky Hutchinson, an Employability and Careers Consultant, discusses the common question students face about their post-graduation plans. The episode provides tips on how to approach this question and encourages proactive exploration of se…
- Considering a PHD: Is it right for you?
Jasmine Thomas-Campbell, a PhD student, discusses her path to doctoral study with career consultant Rachel Coombes. The conversation covers the motivations for pursuing a PhD, the application process, and the importance of transferable ski…
- AI and Sustainability: Balancing Innovation and Impact in the Workplace
Rachel Sloan, Employability and Careers Consultant, examines how AI influences sustainability strategies within organizations, considering both beneficial and detrimental effects. This episode was devised by Dr Dawn Lees with input from Ch…
- How to remain resilient during job applications
Employability Adviser Alexa and student Elly discuss how to remain resilient and motivated during job applications. They share experiences and mention upcoming support sessions on resilience, networking, and job searching.
- Careers in Product
Oliver Laity speaks with Eve Carney, Head of Product, and Allan Stewart, Product Manager from the University’s Digital Transformation Team about careers in product management. They explain the role, share their journeys, and provide advice…
- Law Mini-Series: International Law: in conversation with Ben Ainsley Gill, International Law Arbitration Lawyer
Sunny Lalli interviews international law arbitration lawyer Ben Ainsley Gill about the definition of arbitration in international business law, necessary skills, and differences between private and public international law practice. They o…
- Personal Responsibility in the workplace - What does it really mean?
This episode of Career Zone Podcast, featuring Rachel Haddy, defines personal responsibility in the workplace. It covers accountability, following through on commitments, and authenticity, emphasizing how owning mistakes and strengths fost…
- What is the graduate labour market looking like, May 2025
Dawn Lees, Student Employability and Development Manager, analyzes the graduate labour market in May 2025, covering the influence of politics and the economy. The episode provides advice for those seeking graduate employment.
- Developing the skills you need for a placement, internship or graduate role.
Andrea Hodges and Olivia Osborne discuss skill development, gaining experience, and networking for placements, internships, and graduate roles. They provide advice on demonstrating skills during job applications and highlight university sc…
- Placements 101: Being Money Smart
This episode of the Career Zone Podcast, "Placements 101: Being Money Smart," features fourth-year students Anya and Immy offering practical advice on managing finances during work placements. They share personal experiences and discuss st…
- What is a B Corp and why might you want to work for one?
Scott James, Partner at Ward Williams Associates, explains what a B Corp is and how it influences businesses. He discusses the benefits of working for a B Corp and offers advice for job applicants interested in these companies.
- Placements 101: Prioritising your wellbeing whilst on Placement
Fourth year students Anya and Immy share their experiences and advice on prioritising wellbeing and mental health during placement, noting that many students find the adjustment challenging.
- Green Consultants: What's in it for you?
Helen Hicks speaks with students Bella and Raishal about the Green Consultants programme. They explain the programme and detail the skills and benefits they acquired.
- Introducing Aspiring Teachers
Helen Hicks introduces the University of Exeter's Aspiring Teachers programme, detailing available opportunities. Leanne Galloway, an Early Years Adviser and Ofsted Inspector, highlights five essential skills for aspiring teachers and disc…
- Becoming a Student Campus Partner (SCP)
Fourth-year students Immy and Anya discuss their experiences as Student Campus Partners (SCPs) in the Placements Team at the University of Exeter. They share insights on securing these paid internships, the advantages they offer, and how o…
- Thinking of leaving or changing your course
Careers Consultants Sarah Blunt and Fiona Hartley discuss options for students considering changing or leaving their university course. James, a Film Studies finalist, shares his experience of switching subjects and institutions, detailing…
- Global Leaders in action: Student experiences and stories that inspire
Students Hannah and Josh share their experiences at the EAIE Conference, detailing how the Global Leaders Experience enhanced their intercultural skills and influenced their career goals. They offer advice for prospective participants of t…