Research 'What's on?' now on campus. These events and activities can help you to gain the valuable experience you need, make connections and improve your CV.

Find out more.

Nothing says 'Explore' more than Careers Fairs. These are the ideal place for students who are in the 'Explore' stage. From the annual Careers Fair in October and smaller Careers Fairs in the Event Space, the Careers & Employability Service regularly holds fairs where you have the opportunity to speak to employers who have come on campus specifically to meet students just like you, who have decided what they want to do after graduation, and are keen to get hired.

These fairs help you to make the first point of contact with a company, sign up to their mailing list and ask questions about their application process. Consider our fairs as a first step, and don't stop when you leave! You will know what they are expecting from applicants and you need to decide what you need to do to be successful in the application process. This may involve doing mock assessment centres, getting a CV or application check, improving your numeracy skills or practising online interviews.

Check what fairs are coming up soon here. 

Do you have entrepreneurial spirit? Do you think outside the box? Have an idea for something that could improve the student experience? If you – or a group of students – have a creative or innovative concept for a project, social enterprise or activity that requires funding to get you kick started, applications for the Student Opportunities Fund are now open! Funded by Royal Holloway alumni who donate every year to support projects and initiatives which enrich the student experience here on campus, you can apply for anything between £100 and £3,000. Recipients will also benefit from mentorship to ensure that ideas are successfully translated into applications.  Apply now.

Royal Holloway Volunteering has strong partnerships with the local community and local businesses. Volunteering is an ideal way to keep your skills up-to-date, expand your network, learn industry-related skills and demonstrate your ability to work in a team. Students who volunteer can add leadership, problem solving, adaptability, and communication as key skills on their CVs. Community work also often offers you the opportunity to discover  the‘fit’ between certain roles and sectors and your own values and skills, not to mention the leadership opportunities for all students. Find out more.

Throughout the year, the Careers & Employability Service holds themed weeks where students from across the College have the opportunity to discover what careers are like in different sectors, what skills employers are looking for and what type of job roles are out there for graduates.

Many of these weeks have 'Beginner's Guide' sessions which are a great starting point to discover your options.

These events offer you a great opportunity to ask the core questions (above) for the 'Explore' stage for different sectors. You'll discover if you need experience, whether your degree is enough on its own, how you can improve your CV to get application ready in the future, and make valuable connections.

Find out more.

Register to use the Careers Portal, go to the events tab and book your place here.

Find resources from previous sector-focused careers weeks here.

Creating a good LinkedIn profile is essential to enable potential employers to find you online.

• Attend the Careers & Employability Service's workshops or termly LinkedIn Day where you can get a free professional headshot and get troubleshooting advice on your profile or tips on setting your page up. Keep an eye on the events calendar for the next event!
• Check out LinkedIn's resources for students to learn;

- how to build a strong student profile

- how to make connections/network with people and, importantly,

- how to use LinkedIn to research employers.

• Register to use the Careers Portal, go to the appointments tab and book your time slot for a LinkedIn profile check here.

Working part-time is a good way to help cover living and academic expenses while studying. It’s also a way to gain valuable work experience before graduating.

A part-time job is a great way to find out what you like and don’t like about a role and what you’re good at. Find out more.

Some departments offer you the opportunity to complete a year in business/industry, which is a great way to gain professional work experience and gain a full understanding of the job market and different sectors

Ask your Personal Tutor/department if this is an option for you.

Studying abroad is a great way to develop new skills and experience student life in another country. You can spend up to a year away from Royal Holloway, depending on which option you choose.

It can help:

• enhance your overall knowledge and understanding of your subject
• develop your intercultural skills
• widen your network of friends and future contacts
• increase your independence and self confidence.

You can take part in one exchange during your time at Royal Holloway. The longest you can be away is one academic year.

Find out more.

• Micro-placements scheme: A micro-placement lasts for two to four weeks, takes place during summer vacation, and offers you the opportunity to experience a day-to-day professional working environment. Open to second years and some first years from 14 departments, it’s also a great chance to develop new skills and improve your career prospects after graduation. Curious? Check out the experiences of our students and graduates on our micro-placements graduates page! Applications open at the very start of autumn term so watch this space for updates on how you can apply. Check if you're eligible to apply and find out more here.
• Many students secure their own placements and internships . Kick start your job hunting by browsing our web pages. We advertise up to 1,500 jobs every week: just filter by industry and job type. Explore now. 
• Many of the employers who visit campus for Careers Fairs or as part of the Employer in Residence scheme offer opportunities for students for all years. Keep an eye on the Careers & Employability Service's events calendar for upcoming events.

Have a passion for increasing sport participation? Got an idea that you want to take the lead on?  Need a bit of funding and support to get you off the ground?

Royal Holloway Sports are  keen to enable students with great ideas and a passion for sport to take the lead on a project of their own.

This is a great way to gain experience in project management and is something that would make you stand out from the crowd in the job market.

Submit your 280 word proposal. 

• When you're in the 'Explore' stage, take the time to research and test career ideas, build networks, and increase your knowledge of the wide variety of career possibilities. There are many opportunities for you to meet employers here on campus and to find out the ‘fit’ between certain roles and sectors and your own values and skills.
• Hundreds of alumni and employers visit our campus every year to speak about student and graduate career opportunities, and to offer career coaching and top tips. Did you know that as part of the Careers & Employability Service's Employer in Residence Scheme, you can book a to speak with visiting employers? These informal situations allow you to ask employers questions in an informal environment and make new connections. These are ideal situations for you to asks the questions you really want answers e.g. What's it really like to work in their sector?, How can I get a job in this field?, 
• From alumni panels to Careers Fairs and information sessions on specific sectors, you have the chance to engage with and network with employers at many events on campus. Find out more.
• Remember to keep an eye out for employer-led events in your department!

Students who are in the 'Explore' stage are encouraged to get work experience, seek shadowing opportunities, make connections and generally testing out possibilities.

The Royal Holloway Students' Union is the perfect place to put these aims into practice. From part-time work to academic representative roles and roles within clubs and societies, your Students' Union not only provides hundreds of opportunities for you to learn and upskill here on campus, but supports you in the process.

Get involved now!

Prospects is a useful website, where you can explore the different roles in a sectors and discover what's out there for you in the modern workplace.

Check out these pages that are suited for the 'Explore' stage:

• What can I do with my degree?
• Job profiles by sector
• Job profiles A-Z

Want to spread your passion for support as well as giving back to the community? Royal Holloway Sports has many one-off and long-term volunteering opportunities for students. Research has also shown that students engaged in coaching and sports volunteering earn on average £4,000-£5,000 more than those who don’t.

Find out more.

When you are in the 'Explore' stage, it helps to discuss your ideas and research your options with a Careers Consultant.

Register to use the Careers Portal, go to the appointments tab and book your time slot here. 

Skype and phone appointments are also available. If you have any queries, contact the Careers team.

Every year, Royal Holloway graduates return to campus for our Alumni Sports Day. As well as supporting your fellow students in their battle against alumni for the Hancock cup, this is the perfect opportunity to network with graduates and learn how they're putting the skills they learned at the College into action in their careers.

At Royal Holloway, students have the opportunity to meet with alumni throughout the academic year. Graduates of the College can really inspire you as they have shared the same experiences as you and you can relate to them. The alumni who visit campus are always willing to engage with students. We encourage you to take the opportunity to hear them present at the Careers & Employability Services's sector-focused alumni panels, when they return to departments or join us as employers at Careers Fairs and as employers in residence.

Your department is always looking for students to help out on activities, which are great ways for you to learn make real connections with the staff in your departments as well as fellow students. 

Speak to your Personal Tutor or contact your department's office to find out how you can get involved.

If you are looking expand your horizons and make a lasting positive impact by volunteering in sport overseas then check Royal Holloway Sport's recommendations with Challenges Abroad and Think Pacific.

When it comes to a career in arts, culture and heritage, it's all about the connections you make and the experience you have to add to your CV.

 By volunteering with our Art and Archive Collection teams, you'll have the opportunity to upskill, gain professional experience and work closely with our on-campus experts.

Email ArtCollections@royalholloway.ac.uk and Archives@royalholloway.ac.uk.