From 19 to 23 October, the Guild and Careers Network ran Employability Week: five days of free events to help you find work, build your skills and plan for life after university. So many of you came along to Employability Week events, and our Tech, Software and Digital Innovation Networking Night sold out.
Why Did We Run It?
As your Activities and Employability Officer, I wanted careers support to feel less daunting and easier to find. A lot of students only start thinking about their careers until final year, when applications are already due and the pressure's on. So, the Guild teamed up with Careers Network to put more than a dozen free events into one week, across campus, from Guild Reception to the Great Hall.
We built a week with something for every stage, whatever year you were in and whatever you were studying: first years looking for part-time work, international students after UK experience, PhD researchers thinking about life outside academia, and final years with deadlines coming up.
What Went On?
We started on Monday with the Societies Skill Share Fair at Guild Reception. Student groups showed how running events, managing budgets and leading a team can count towards your career. Teach First brought free coffee to the Law Arches, and our Balancing Work and Study panel shared honest advice on holding down a job without falling behind on your degree.
On Tuesday, PwC came to the Law Arches to talk about internships, placements and graduate schemes. We took free professional headshots at Pritchatts Park, ready for your LinkedIn and job applications. Careers Network also ran webinars on getting UK work experience as an international student and on careers after a PhD, alongside the Disability, Careers and Me drop-in in Nuffield.
Wednesday opened with a free Community Breakfast with Worklink. Then the Business and Finance Careers Fair filled the Great Hall, while the Top Tips sessions in Aston Webb covered CVs, applications and interviews.
We finished on Friday with a virtual panel on the Civil Service Fast Stream and the Global Majority Voices Panel, where professionals talked openly about their career paths and what they'd tell their student selves.
Networking Night
Thursday's Tech, Software and Digital Innovation Networking Night sold out. A panel of alumni and professionals talked about how they got into the industry and what they look for in graduates. After that, everyone moved into speed networking and open networking allowing students to ask the important questions in a relaxed environment.
Networking can feel awkward, especially if you don't know anyone in the industry yet. We kept it relaxed for that reason, and selling out tells me there's real demand for more nights like it.
A big thank you to our panellists, Dennis Badman, Vikki Smith, Mayuri Patel, Kieran McRae, Raine Arrowsmith and Elliot Packham for giving up their evening and answering all your questions.
Looking Ahead
Employability Week is over, but the support isn't. Careers Network offers CV checks, appointments and events all year round. Also, more Networking Nights are on the way in other industries and sectors, so keep an eye on our events page for the next one.
Thank you to Careers Network, every society that ran a stall, and everyone who came along.
Missed an event, or got an idea for what we should run next? Email me at s.ryan@guild.bham.ac.uk. I'd love to hear from you!!!
Written by Activities and Employability Officer 2026-27, Sean Ryan.