Second year

It's never too early to start planning your career ─ career planning is a process, therefore you shouldn't expect to sort out your future quickly. Be proactive and start investigating options now.

You may develop some ideas, carry out your research, speak to employers and you may have to rethink if the career doesn't offer you what you want. Give yourself time to explore all your options.

Career planning

Making the most of university life

Download our Careers Handbook 2013 to find out how you can get involved in university life to help you develop your career

View the e-magazine

Join the Nottingham Advantage Award to develop the skills you will need for graduate employment
Add value to your CV by volunteering or getting involved in Students’ Union (SU) activities and societies
Listen to two second years talk about their career ambitions

Listen to second year Martha's career ideas and advice from an employer on her next steps (13 mins)

Listen to second year student David who undertook a work experience placement (7 mins)

Researching careers

Find out about graduate careers
Find out about the career options with your degree
Find out what students went on to do from your course.
Produce a CV and covering letter and receive feedback from a member of staff

Get some advice

Discuss your ideas with a member of staff. Appointments are available every day.
Take part in our career mentoring scheme - we'll match you with one of our alumni professionals based on your degree and/or career aspirations
Attend our careers events in the autumn and spring terms to find out about different areas of work and meet graduate employers

Work experience

One of the key topics for second year or penultimate students is work experience or work shadowing. Visit our work experience pages to find out more about gaining experience at work, such as:

what counts
its value
how to find a placement

Note any early closing dates ─ some internships have deadlines in the first term, other deadlines roll over into the spring term and beyond.

Careers and Employability Service

University of Nottingham
Portland Building, Level D
University Park
Nottingham, NG7 2RD

telephone: +44 (0) 115 951 3680
fax: +44 (0) 115 951 3679
email: careers-team@nottingham.ac.uk