Hi, I'm Lily. After writing Part 1 of this blog about making the most of your final semester as a student, it felt only right to follow it up with something a bit more future-focused. As much as I would love to pretend that graduation is a distant concept, it is definitely approaching, and I am slowly trying to get myself ready for whatever comes next. I might not personally be doing every single thing on this list, but they are all great options to pick and mix between depending on what you need.
Get started with My Employability Profile
If you have not looked at My Employability Profile yet, it is a really helpful place to begin. It explains the 13 capabilities we know employers value most, helps you identify areas to develop, and points you towards workshops and resources that match your goals. It is basically a personalised snapshot of where you are right now and what you could work on next. I found it reassuring to see that I already had more skills than I thought.
Explore My Employability Profile on UniHub.
Make progress on the Bath Award
This is the pilot year for the Bath Award, and although I registered at the start of the year, I did not make as much progress as I hoped during semester one. I am planning to pick it back up because it is a great way to reflect on your experiences and show employers the skills you have developed. If you are in the same position, it is definitely not too late to get going again.
Check your progress on the Bath Award.
Use the drop-in service
Something I am planning to do myself soon, the Careers drop-ins are one of the easiest ways to get quick, practical help. You can visit the Careers Centre any weekday between 10am and 4pm during term-time and speak to someone who can either answer your question straight away or add you to the queue to see a Careers Consultant, Applications Adviser or Employability Coach. You usually get around ten to fifteen minutes, which is perfect for things like CV checks, LinkedIn advice, application questions or general career worries. There is also a Quiet Hour every Tuesday morning if you prefer a calmer environment.
Get CV and application feedback
If you are working on a CV, cover letter, LinkedIn profile or personal statement, Careers can help you shape it into something you feel confident sending out. They will not rewrite it for you, but they will talk you through what to include, how to structure it and how to tailor it to different roles. The best way to prepare is to draft something first using the Get Started guides on MyFuture, then bring it in for feedback. Even a short conversation can make a big difference.
Learn how CV and application feedback works.
Try a workshop or two
Careers run events, clinics, and workshops on everything from interviews to job searching to figuring out what you actually want to do. I have already bookmarked a couple that I want to attend because I know they will help me feel more prepared, including a couple to help me work towards achieving the Bath Award! Whether you already know your direction or have absolutely no idea, there is usually something that fits. They also run sessions for specific interests, including careers using languages if you are multilingual or want to be.
Browse upcoming events and workshops on MyFuture.
Visit the Spring Careers Fair
The Spring Careers Fair is a great chance to meet employers in person and explore what is out there. You can talk to companies offering graduate roles, internships, placements and work experience. Even if you are not ready to apply yet, it is a good way to practise talking to employers and get a feel for different industries. If the idea of approaching a stand feels intimidating, Careers offer an Icebreaker Service where they introduce you to an employer and help you get started.
Find out more about the Spring Careers Fair.
Use MyFuture for on demand support
MyFuture is where you can find online resources, book events, browse opportunities and access guides for every stage of your career thinking. It is also where you can look up employers attending fairs and find internships or graduate roles that specifically target Bath students. If you prefer working things out independently before speaking to someone, it is a great place to start.
Pace yourself
Final semester energy can feel like a strange mix of excitement, pressure and mild chaos. One thing I am trying to do is pace myself. Not everything needs to be sorted immediately, and taking small steps consistently feels much more manageable than trying to overhaul my entire future in one go. Even setting aside an hour a week to focus on career things can make everything feel less overwhelming.
Find wellbeing resources through the University if you need extra support.
I am trying to remind myself that I do not need to have everything figured out right now. Doing one small thing like attending a workshop or popping into a drop in is still progress. And if you read Part 1 of my blog, you will know I am very much in the same boat as everyone else. If any of these help you take a step too, then we are both doing alright.
Respond
