Many of you may consider working alongside your studies. Whether you aim to get a part-time job during term time or look for a summer internship, the University is there to support you in your career goals. At Exeter, The Career Zone is located in the Forum and the staff is always happy to help you find employment, advise you on how to improve your CV or give you guidance on how to nail an interview.
Many of you may consider working alongside your studies. Whether you aim to get a part-time job during term time or look for a summer internship, the University is there to support you in your career goals. At Exeter, The Career Zone is located in the Forum and the staff is always happy to help you find employment, advise you on how to improve your CV or give you guidance on how to nail an interview.
Job opportunities are listed on My Career Zone and among them you’ll find casual term time work, graduate roles, placements, internships, Student Campus Partnerships (SCPs), volunteering and many others. The data base is up-to-date, so if you regularly check the website, you’ll definitely find a suitable job for yourself. SCPs are offered by the University of Exeter, which means that you wouldn’t be required to work more than 15 hours per week during term time or 36.5 hours per week during the vacation periods. These internships are based on campus and very flexible as the University understands that your studies are of the utmost priority. Payment is normally £9.47 per hour, which is higher than what most employers offer in the city. Cafes and shops run by the Guild employ students and are also 
flexible and supportive, so working at one of the student-friendly bars on campus should be a safe choice. Maybe you’d like to be a cashier at Comida, a bar assistant at Lemon Grove or a kitchen crew member at the Ram? Vacancies for these positions usually open at the end of the academic year as the Guild wants employees to start working in early September. Casual work is available at local retailers and new opportunities are regularly added to My Career Zone. However, you may also want to keep an eye on ads in the city as it may be that not each and every vacancy is posted on the website. A lot of students work as waiters/waitresses in restaurants, Deliveroo riders, shop assistants in Tesco or baristas in Costa. Off-campus jobs usually pay less but worry not, you can always work your way up the ladder. Career Zone also offers a number of volunteering opportunities, tutoring and occasional positions, so if you’re determined to earn some extra cash whilst studying, you’re definitely not short of options.
During my first year, I worked as a Catering Assistant in Birks Grange (one of the catered accommodations on campus) up to 20 hours per week. It wasn’t the most challenging or demanding work I’ve ever done but my colleagues were friendly, the hours were flexible and the pay was reasonable. Evening shifts started at 5.15pm, so I could usually finish all my tasks and assignments before work. I also happened to live very close to my workplace (only a 5-minute walk), however, I had to climb the famous cardiac hill every time.
My greatest adventure this year was my internship in Paris. I spent 13 days in ‘The City of Lights’, working for ÉCU – The European Independent Film Festival. I arrived a bit earlier so that I could make the most of my time in this wonderful city. I did a lot of sightseeing with my brother before I started the internship. Being real tourists, we wandered around the district of Montmartre, got lost in the Louvre, made it to the top of the Eiffel Tower and got a sugar overdose from the heavenly macarons of Ladurée. I was over the moon that I found this opportunity on My Career Zone because not only did I get to spend half of my spring break in this lovely city but I also gained first-hand experience in the organisation and management of the film festival and met interesting people from all over the world. During the run-up to the film festival, I helped with event promotion, marketing and administrative duties, then, during the three days of the festival, I managed the welcome desk, served refreshments and carried out other ad-hoc tasks. I didn’t mind that the internship was unpaid because it was a truly beneficial and memorable 13 days.
In addition to the broad list of jobs it offers, Career Zone also has plenty of valuable resources as well as training sessions and events throughout the year. You can find a lot of useful guides on My Career Zone that help you write a killer cover letter, explain the different interview types, advise you on how to stand out at assessment centres or tackle psychometric tests. There is a great variety of sessions as well, where you can ask questions in person, participate in group exercises and receive materials that give you further information on a particular subject. Casual Jobs Fairs take place each academic term in the Autumn and Spring, where you can meet employers in the Forum and find out about more opportunities. If you still have concerns, you can also book 1:1 appointments to discuss your careers options, have your CV or cover letter reviewed or get advice on how to find global employment opportunities.