// Archives

Changing my career and help from the Careers team

By Bhavin Sisodaria, BSc Industrial Economics graduate At the end of June and the start of July 2024, I booked a few interview support appointments with Bernadette Dooley, Careers Adviser, to maximise my chances of doing well in an interview for a dream job I had applied for. The role was for an assistant asset …

From Nottingham to the UN in Thailand and a PhD in Japan

By Jack Crawford, graduate Born and raised in Nottingham, I studied BSc Management with a Placement Year at the University of Nottingham from 2017 to 2022. My cherished memories there span childhood adventures on Highfields Park to graduating in the same spot two decades later. This deep-rooted connection to my hometown might give the impression …

From the lab bench to the back bench – moving from academia to the Civil Service

by Matthew Padgett, graduate I am a PhD graduate in neuroscience from UoN conducting research in the lab of Dr Tracy Farr studying vascular dementia. My PhD was an incredible learning experience and an opportunity to conduct interesting and innovative scientific research with renowned scientists. However, near the end of my PhD studies, I made …

Don’t rush the graduate job application process and talk to the Careers team

By Clarissa Martelli, MSc Computer Science graduate I’m Clarissa and after four years at Nottingham, I didn’t know what I wanted to do after graduation as the idea of going into the real world always scared me. Through my course I had the opportunity to learn about various branches of computer science, not only programming, …

It’s never too late to change your mind about your career

By Yca Tan, UoN graduate Growing up in a family of nurses, I always thought nursing was also in my path. Helping people in their most vulnerable moments was fulfilling. However, as I moved through my studies, I realised that nursing wasn’t the right fit for me. The emotional and physical demands, along with the …

Becoming a senior journalist for BBC News in Washington DC

By Iona Hampson, BA Ancient History and History and Senior Journalist, BBC News, Washington DC If someone had told me at university that I would end up working as a journalist for the BBC let alone in the United States, I would have probably said they had mistaken me for a far more competent and …

Where’s the time gone? I’m graduating this summer

Catherine Sibley, Careers Adviser, Careers and Employability Service It seems like many of your friends are sorted with what to do next and have plans to start a job or maybe go travelling.  Is this really true?  It’s what psychologists call ‘inattentional blindness’ in that you’re focussing on those friends when the vast majority of …

What can you gain from attending events and lectures held by guest speakers?

By Josephine Ruffles, Politics and American Studies student Since being at university I have attended 10 extra lectures and seminars hosted by external figures. I have been fortunate to meet influential figures, multiple visiting professors with an abundance of knowledge, and connect and network with multiple alumni in areas ranging from local government to the …

Believe in Your Abilities and Be Open to Trying New Opportunities

By Kaixin Chen, MA Film, Television and Screen Industries graduate During my university years, I was committed to a career in the film and television industry. The careers sessions I attended, the social gatherings recommended by professors, the online lectures, and even the research topics I worked on were all in preparation for breaking into …

You Will Never Be a Doctor!

By Andrew Evans, alumnus and Professor of Breast Imaging at Dundee University Early childhood I was born in 1961 (an identical twin) with a clubbed foot and syndactyly (fused fingers). Attempted correction of my foot shortly after birth failed. I therefore required seven operations between birth and the age of 11 and had to wear surgical …