Career Zone Podcast

In this week’s episode, Dawn Lees is joined by Emma Norman, Learning and Pilots Manager at the university, as she shares her journey through education, her experiences of being neurodivergent, and how she came into her current role.   Emma reflects on navigating school and university before her late ADHD and autism diagnosis. She talks about her experience of teaching  abroad in Spain, how the pan...

In this episode, Sunny Lalli, Employability and Career Consultant speaks with Dr. Hannah Collis, an honorary lecturer in Leadership and Organisational Behaviour in the Exeter Business School, and now academic at the Henley Business School. Together they discuss navigating the transition from university to diverse and complex workplace environments. Hannah shares insights from her research on moder...

This week, Dawn Lees is joined by Ewan Woodley, Associate Professor of Geography to explore why stepping outside the seminar room can transform the way you learn. Listen to find out: The skills you gain from field trips, such as real-world observation and teamwork. How field trips can help you to build your confidence and grow as a learner. How you can utilise the skills you develop in job applica...

In this week’s episode, Ciaran Stoker-Diver SEAS Faculty Lead, is joined by Barbara, a final year Business Management student and Vice President of Engagement for Enactus at Exeter. Ciaran and Barbara explore what social enterprise means and how students can get involved. Barbara discusses some of the current Enactus projects students are involved with including Biosmart and Oyana. Barbara also di...

In this week’s episode, we are joined by recent graduate Lowenna Luke to discuss what it’s really like to transition from university into a graduate level job. Lowenna shares her journey of searching and applying for jobs, offering tips on how to stand out in the recruitment process. We also explore the realities of transitioning into the workplace, including adapting to professional communication...

In this week’s episode, Simon Allington, Employability and Careers Consultant, is joined by current postgraduate student Gia Yu to discuss career planning across China and the UK. Gia shares her experience of working in China and in the UK and highlights the strengths Chinese students bring to the UK job market. Gia also shares how the China Career Ready programme can help students when making car...

In this week’s episode we explore the power of workplace osmosis, the often invisible learning that happens from being around others. From spontaneous conversations to unplanned collaborations and quick check-ins, we explore why a physical presence still matters in an increasingly digital world. Useful links: Planned Happenstance podcast ( https://pod.fo/e/33a7e9 )  Book onto skills sessions inclu...

This week, we catch up with final year PhD student Sophia, to hear how her PhD journey is going. Sophia shares some of her highlights of her studies, the importance of adaptability in research, and the different types of support available to PhD students.   

In this week’s episode, Dawn Lees is joined by Professor Nathan Mayne, as he shares his journey from a working class background to a successful career in academia. Nathan explores how he overcame adversity, navigating university life without a roadmap and how he has built a successful career as an academic whilst championing mental health, collaboration and support for current students.  Nathan is...

Thinking of doing doctoral research? In this episode, Kate Foster, Employability and Careers Consultant, catches up with Benny, a first year PhD student. Benny shares how his PhD is going and what he is enjoying about studying. Benny also shares the different activities he is involved with including teaching seminars, attending conferences and supporting the Mature Access Pathway programme.     We...

In this episode we explore what risk assessments are, why they matter and the key skills needed to carry them out effectively. Here we explore how risk assessments play a vital role across a range of graduate careers including engineering, finance, IT and environmental roles. We share advice on how to develop your skills and gain experience, whether through societies, internships or graduate roles...

In this episode, Employability and Careers Consultant Joan Wright chats with alumni Bhumika Mathkar and Rutuja Lokare, about their journeys from Mumbai to studying masters degrees and working in the UK. They discuss their experience of participating with the India Career Ready Programme and reflect on how work experience and university support shaped their journeys. They also share insights as to...

In this week’s episode Helen Hicks, Programme Officer talks with Harriet, one of our Student Programme Assistants about Green Consultants. Helen and Harriet discuss what is involved in completing Green Consultants, including the online learning, projects and internships. Helen shares her advice to students wanting to complete the programme and also shares how previous students have been able to us...

In this week's episode, Nicky Hutchinson, Employability and Career Consultant, is joined by alumnus Mathys Reiss, now a Climate Action Associate working at the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD). Mathys completed his Masters in Sustainable Business Management in 2024, and reflects on his academic journey and his transition into a career in sustainability. He shares his insi...

In this week’s episode we’re exploring the love-hate relationship many students have with LinkedIn. For some, it is a great place to find opportunities and connections. For others, it can feel like a stream of carefully curated posts that come across as performative. We explore how to use LinkedIn without losing your sense of self.   Listen to hear: Top tips on promoting yourself in ways that feel...

In this week’s episode, Sian Robinson shares her career journey to becoming Senior Lecturer in Human Resource Management. Sian reflects on her non-standard route into higher education and talks about the challenges and positives of having ADHD. Sian also shares the strategies that have helped her and explores how being open about neurodivergence has shaped the way she teaches and supports students...

In this week’s episode, current students Zabi, Jeremy, Kunal and Owen, discuss their experience of taking part in the EAIE Conference. They share how they have applied the skills they developed from their Global Leaders Experience to real life situations, how their experience has influenced their career aspirations and provide advice to students considering applying for a Global Leaders Experience...

Often in careers, we talk about developing skills alongside your studies, through volunteering, societies, part time work or internships. In this episode we focus on  the skills you have gained directly from your degree and how you can articulate them with clarity and confidence. Rachel Sloan, Employability and Careers Consultant, explores the technical, academic and personal skills you develop th...

Layal Hakim is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at the University of Exeter. Layal grew up in a large family of 8 children from a low-income, ethnic minority background. During her teens, Layal was educated for short periods in Lebanon. This changed the course of her direction academically. Layal graduated from Brunel University in 2010 with a BSc in Mathemati...

In this week’s episode, Employability and Careers Consultant, Ben Toulson, speaks to our Centre for Geography and Environmental Science Placement Ambassadors, Sophie Hartop, Abi Brookes and Sasha Clark. Sophie, Abi and Sasha share their placement year experiences, including discussions around what they gained from their placements, how they found and secured them, the logistics of placements, and...

Professor Beverley Hawkins is a Professor or Leadership and Organisational Studies in the Business School and the Dean for Taught Students at the University of Exeter. After undertaking her degree in Business Management at Swansea, Beverley went into a graduate role in fund management. Beverley then did another undergraduate degree in Germany where she also translated washing machine instructions....

Thinking of doing doctoral research? In this episode, Kate Foster, Employability and Careers Consultant, talks with Sophia, a second year PhD student. Sophia shares what motivated her to study a PhD, some of the challenges she has faced so far and her advice to students considering doctoral research.  We’ll be catching up with Sophia regularly to hear how their PhD journey is going. Follow the Car...

In this week’s episode, Will King, Programme Officer, is joined by current student Frederick Proctor to discuss how to make the most of career opportunities. Frederick shares his experiences with the various events and programmes he has got involved with including Create Your Future, the Exeter Award and attending conferences. Frederick shares his tips on planning, prioritising and saying yes to d...

Thinking of doing doctoral research? In this episode, Kate Foster, Employability and Careers Consultant, talks with Benny, a first year PhD student. Benny shares what motivated him to study a PhD, some of the challenges he has faced so far and his advice to students considering doctoral research.   We’ll be catching up with Benny  regularly to hear how his PhD journey is going. Follow the Career Z...

In this episode, Dawn Lees, Student Employability and Development Manager, explores the importance of being curious, how it can help you in the workplace and Dawn shares how you can develop your curiosity.     Useful Links: Planned Happenstance podcast ( https://pod.fo/e/33a7e9 )  Employer and alumni events in Exeter and Penryn . Exeter Students' Guild and The Students' Union societies. Attend a C...