Hello!
My name is Martha Davey and for the past five months I’ve been working as a Student Employability Coach, a role I’ve genuinely loved and would highly recommend to all University of Bath students.
As an Employability Coach, I review students’ applications and offer tailored advice. That includes CVs, cover letters, application questions, personal statements and LinkedIn profiles. The role is varied, and I get to speak with students from all year groups and departments. Before starting in September, we had training to build confidence, and we also have regular meetings to develop new skills and reflect on any questions or experiences.
The role is four hours a week, and the flexibility is brilliant. I split my hours into two two‑hour shifts, which fit easily around my timetable. The time goes quickly, and the work feels meaningful. The Careers team have been incredibly supportive from day one, and I’ve really valued the positive working relationships I’ve built with my line manager and colleagues. It’s set a very high bar for future roles.
In just five months, I’ve learnt so much. I’ve always been punctual and organised, but this role has strengthened my ability to prioritise tasks, manage time under pressure, and make quick decisions. For example, choosing whether to focus deeply on one application or give lighter feedback on two when time is limited. I’ve also developed my communication skills, especially around giving constructive feedback sensitively and building rapport quickly. It can feel vulnerable to show your CV to someone your own age, so creating a comfortable, supportive environment is really important.
I was initially nervous that I wouldn’t know enough about every industry, but the training was thorough and the Careers Team put in a huge amount of effort to make sure we felt confident. I also wondered whether students would take feedback from another student as seriously as from a Careers Consultant, but this hasn’t been an issue at all. Students have been respectful, engaged and genuinely appreciative.
Working with Careers has also helped my own professional development. I’m constantly learning about different industries, recruitment processes and opportunities. I’ve built strong relationships with the Careers staff, and their support while I’ve been applying for placements has made a huge difference. Having a positive work environment where people are kind and the work doesn’t feel like a chore is something I’m incredibly grateful for.
Thank you to the Careers team for this opportunity. I’m so appreciative of the experiences, skills and new perspectives I’ve gained.
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