Career Zone Podcast

In this episode, Employability and Careers Consultant Sunny Lalli is joined by Lizzie Collin, Head of Marketing at Davitt Jones Bould (DJB).

Joining the UK's largest specialist real estate law firm on a graduate training programme after studying English literature at the University of Warwick, Lizzie shares her career journey and insider knowledge on how students can impress at a careers fair, avoid common networking mistakes, and how to effectively follow up with employers on platforms such as LinkedIn.

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In this episode, Simon Allington, Employability and Careers Consultant, is joined by Dr Yuxi Heluo, Lecturer in Professional Practice at the University of Exeter. Yuxi shares her journey from studying in the UK as an undergraduate to completing a PhD and becoming a lecturer.

Yuxi talks about the differences between studying in China and the UK, the importance of asking for help and building strong networks, and how students can develop their AI literacy

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In this week's Career Zone Podcast, Jamie Tully, Lecturer in Psychology at the University of Exeter, shares his journey from missing his GCSE targets to completing a PhD and becoming an academic.

Jamie talks about being the first in his family to attend university, navigating higher education, and the experiences that shaped his career along the way. He reflects on the mentors who helped shape his career, why exam results don't define your future, and how his own experiences have influenced his commitment to widening participation and supporting students from underrepresented backgrounds.

In this episode, Employability and Careers Consultant Sunny Lalli is joined by Rachel Parry, Operations Support Manager at Geotechnical Engineering Limited.

Transitioning from a geology degree at the University of Leicester into managing multi-million-pound field investigations, Rachel shares her journey from a self-confessed "terrified" first-year student collecting freebies to leading a team of engineers.

Rachel provides invaluable insider advice on why employers value curiosity over technical expertise, how to reframe part-time work or personal achievements as professional strengths, and how students can overcome the fear of uncertainty to have authentic, memorable conversations at careers fairs

In our Law mini-series podcast, our Law Employability and Careers Consultants; Rachel, Tess and Sunny, talk to experienced professionals from both legal and non-legal sectors to hear their career experiences and advice.   

In this episode we are joined by Simon Carr, Senior Business Development Representative at CILEX (Chartered Institute for Legal Executives). Qualifying as a CILEX lawyer is a completely different route from the SQE route. It happens while you are working, there is a fast track route for law graduates, the exams are all online and the pace is learner-led.

The exams are roughly half the cost of the SQE and the pass rate is double. Once you are qualified the work and pay rates can be identical to solicitors; you can become a partner, a judge, work in higher courts, and set up your own legal practice.

25% of CILEX lawyers are in the South West so there are lots of opportunities here, one notable example of a local law firm employing lots of CILEX lawyers and with a CILEX lawyer as a partner is Foot Anstey.  

In addition to this episode you can find more information to help with career planning here; University of Exeter Career Zone , My Career Zone, Law and legal services: Information for Law and Non-Law Students , Employability for Law Students and The Law School.  

In our Law mini-series podcast, our Law Employability and Careers Consultants; Rachel, Tess and Sunny, talk to experienced professionals from both legal and non-legal sectors to hear their career experiences and advice.   

In this week's episode Tess is joined by Matt Rundle, Real Estate Solicitor at Trowers and Hamlins LLP. Matt shares his career journey from working as a paralegal to qualifying as a solicitor. Listen to hear advice on preparing and applying for a training contract and the importance of showcasing your enthusiasm at interview. Matt also discusses the benefits of mentoring and the impact AI is having in the recruitment process. 

In addition to this episode you can find more information to help with career planning here; University of Exeter Career Zone , My Career Zone, Law and legal services: Information for Law and Non-Law Students , Employability for Law Students and The Law School.  

Anxiety represents data for your brain, not danger to your body. In this episode Tess is joined by Laura Dean, President of the British Psychological Society and Principal Occupational Psychologist at the Cabinet Office, to discuss how you can use interview nerves to your advantage.

Laura shares self soothing tips to help you prepare for pressure and how you can build up pressure tolerance. Laura and Tess also focus on behavioural success, what that means and how to deal with stereotype threat. Find out how to prep for a job interview even if it’s tomorrow! 

In our Law mini-series podcast, our Law Employability and Careers Consultants; Rachel, Tess and Sunny, talk to experienced professionals from both legal and non-legal sectors to hear their career experiences and advice.   

In addition to this episode you can find more information to help with career planning here; University of Exeter Career Zone , My Career Zone, Law and legal services: Information for Law and Non-Law Students , Employability for Law Students and The Law School.  

In this episode, Rachel Hadwell, Employability and Placements Adviser, explores how you can find part-time jobs and shares her top tips to boost your applications. Rachel discusses where to search for roles both on and off campus, exploring sectors like hospitality and retail, and highlights opportunities through the university's My Career Zone platform. Plus, hear insights on how to balance work with your academic schedule, visa considerations for international students, and how to tailor your applications to stand out. 

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Our Law mini-series is back for the autumn term and in our first episode we're focusing on securing a vacation placement.

In our Law mini-series podcast, our Law Employability and Careers Consultants; Rachel, Tess and Sunny, talk to experienced professionals from both legal and non-legal sectors to hear their career experiences and advice.   

In this episode, Tess is joined by current Law student Nando Rodriguez, who shares his journey in successfully applying for a place on the vacation scheme at Trowers and Hamlins LLP. 

Nando shares what the application process involved including how much time it took, and how the Career Mentor Scheme along with the Career Zone helped with networking opportunities. Nando also shares his top tips for students wanting to go into to law. 

In addition to this episode you can find more information to help with career planning here; University of Exeter Career Zone , My Career Zone, Law and legal services: Information for Law and Non-Law Students , Employability for Law Students and The Law School.  

Whether you're exploring your options, planning to get more experience or applying for jobs, we're here to support you.

In this episode find out about some of the opportunities you can get involved with including: Career Mentor Scheme, employer events and the Exeter Award.