Student Blog Squad

How Leeds Beckett is providing foundations for my future

Hi, I’m Kate, a Sport and Exercise Science student at Leeds Beckett university. I am currently in my second year and as much as I would love to stay at Leeds Beckett forever, I have recently had to start thinking more seriously about what I’m going to do after I graduate and what career path I would like to go down. So, in this blog, I will be sharing my experiences with the Leeds Beckett Career Support Services they have to offer.

Career Advice

My experience with the Beckett Careers Team

First things first, I want to talk about the brilliant Beckett Careers Team. They are there to help you with any worries or queries that are careers related - whether you are unsure about which career path to take, need help with your CV or any general advice on getting a job, they are there to support you. When I visited them, their team of dedicated advisors provided personalised guidance, completely tailored to my individual aspirations and goals.

When I visited them recently, the Careers Team provided me with personalised guidance, completely tailored to my individual aspirations and goals. I wanted to explore potential career options and discuss my considerations of pursuing a master's degree after completing my Undergraduate studies. The careers advisor looked through the Physiotherapy master’s degrees at Leeds Beckett and other institutions. We looked through the entry requirements and spoke about what I can be doing in the meantime to prepare and help me get there. Additionally, she encouraged me to attend Postgraduate Open Days to aid in my decision-making process.

Their expertise and support have really boosted my confidence, making me feel ready to take on whatever the job market throws my way. This appointment was a game-changer for me. After our chat, I did some further digging into Physiotherapy Postgraduate degrees and realised it is something I'm genuinely interested in pursuing to further my education and future career.

I learned from my career meetings that they're not just about job hunting. They're a safe space to chat about anything on your mind about life after university. When I mentioned I wanted a break before starting my master's, the advisor was super supportive about it. They reassured me saying lots of students take time off, and encouraged me to go for it. They even pointed out how traveling could be an awesome opportunity to learn new things and gain some life experience. It's got me really excited about the idea of exploring different countries and figuring out what I want to do next.

Unlocking career paths with the Career Planner tool

The careers advisor I met with shared an incredible resource that I've found incredibly valuable: the Career Planner. This tool is basically a short quiz that dives into your interests and preferred work environments.  It's been eye-opening for me – I've discovered careers I didn't even know existed! For example, I've found myself wanting to explore opportunities in Cardiac Rehabilitation, which I hadn't previously considered. As a result, I'm now contemplating making the cardiovascular system the focal point of my final year project.

Reflecting on my experience, I definitely recommend this resource to anyone who may be feeling uncertain or undecided about their career path. The insights gained from exploring various career possibilities are so valuable in shaping your future aspirations.

A personal Student Support System

As a Leeds Beckett student, having access to MyHub has been a game-changer. It's like having a personal support system available whenever I need it. It's become my go-to resource, right at my fingertips with a simple login using my student ID.

From student well-being to career advice, MyHub covers it all. It's truly a one-stop-shop for student support. But what stands out to me the most is the Beckett Careers section. Here, I've discovered so many opportunities – from shaping my CV to finding part-time jobs within the university, to exploring work placements and volunteering options.

What I find particularly helpful is the guidance on making a CV. MyHub doesn't just give me a generic template and wish me luck – it goes above and beyond. It offers a user-friendly CV template for those who might be unsure of where to start, and for those who already have a CV put together it even provides a tool to upload and receive suggestions for improvements on those existing CVs.

Recently, when I was applying for a part-time waitressing job in Leeds, MyHub gave me amazing advice. It pointed out that I needed to emphasise skills like 'great customer service' and 'communication' – it made me think about how I've gained these skills over the years. It made me realise that I can tailor my CV to fit any job I apply for, opening up a world of possibilities for my future.

Find your way at Leeds Beckett

Leeds Beckett is truly amazing in providing career support to students seeking guidance or a nudge in the right direction. It’s important to remember that you don't always have to have your entire life mapped out. Personally, I've come to realise that I've placed a lot of pressure on myself to have everything figured out – from my career path to my identity. However, I've also come to accept that uncertainty is a part of the journey. With the reassurance and guidance of the careers team, I've learned that it's okay not to have all the answers right away. Instead, I'm focusing on pursuing what I enjoy and trusting that everything else will fall into place in due time.

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