One of the things I've heard repeatedly throughout the year is that postgraduate students want more careers support that feels relevant to them.
Not generic advice. Not something aimed at first-year undergraduates. Something that recognises that postgraduate students often arrive with different goals, experiences and expectations.
We have made great progress this year and I want to say a great thanks to the Careers team who have been the sole reason why we have been able to make such positive impact- Helen Stringer (top 10 lead, Director of Employability and Student Success), Ghislaine Dell (Head of Careers), and Cassie Wilson (top 10 sponsor, PVC Student Experience and Sport). They have been just fabulous to work with!
Getting on, this is what the Careers team and the SU have been working on this year.
1.Careers Panels. This year we've delivered 13 sector-specific careers panels covering everything from robotics and sustainability to finance and consulting, which were now extended to PGs as well. They've attracted more than 500 student attendances, giving postgraduate students the opportunity to hear directly from professionals, alumni and employers working in industries they're actually interested in.
2.Dedicated PGT Careers Events. We have tried to map out times of the year where PGT Specific career events would have maximum impact. There is one planned for June, between finishing taught content and fully disappearing into dissertation or project mode. The aim is to create something tailored to postgraduate students and the questions many of you are asking about employability, graduate opportunities, and future career pathways.
3.Making Careers Support More Visible. A recurring theme throughout the year has been students telling us: "I didn't know that existed." Whether it's careers appointments, CV support, employer events, workshops or networking opportunities, there's often far more available than students realise.
The challenge isn't always creating support. Sometimes it's making sure people actually know it exists. That's why we've been working with colleagues across the university to improve communication and increase visibility of careers opportunities.
Yes, we made careers content for Instagram. No, it wasn't just someone pointing at floating text while trending audio played in the background, I got them to Dance :P
Our recent careers-focused social media content has reached over 8k views combined, with the dancing reel reaching over 5k views.
4. SUmmit standpoint on employability passed. This was passed by Sanya Jethwani (PG officer 25/26) in SUmmit of April 2026 to ensure that PG and international students employability remains on the radar of priorities even outside the top 10 and the officer’s term.
5. Global Employability Hub. This is focused on supporting international students, and anyone interested in working internationally, to make the most of their time at Bath. It brings together practical tools to explore global career opportunities, understand how employment varies across countries, and build the skills and awareness needed to succeed in an international context. The aim is to help students think more globally about their future and feel more confident navigating different career pathways.
6. Learning From What Doesn't Work. Not every initiative has been a success. One careers panel aimed specifically at PGT Computer Science students had to be cancelled due to low bookings, despite us securing three fantastic international alumni speakers. That was disappointing. But it was also useful.
Part of representation is understanding not only what students ask for, but also how they engage with opportunities when they're offered. We're now reviewing how events are promoted and exploring better ways to reach students who would benefit from them. Because opportunities only matter if students know they're there.
Building networks, developing skills, exploring career options and gaining experience can start long before graduation. You don't need to have a five-year plan mapped out. You don't even need to know exactly what you want to do. Most people don't.
What matters is giving yourself opportunities to explore possibilities and build confidence along the way.
This Is just the beginning. Ultimately, the goal isn't simply to run careers events. It's to help postgraduate students feel more informed, more confident, and better prepared for whatever comes next.
That might be a graduate role, it might be a PhD, it might be starting a business, changing industries, or pursuing something completely unexpected. For some (like me) it can even mean doing a second master’s :p
Everyone's path looks different. Our job is to make sure postgraduate students have access to the support, opportunities and information they need to make informed decisions about theirs.
What's Next?
Keep an eye out for:
- Upcoming careers panels
- Dedicated PGT Careers Event in June
- More careers content across social media
- Opportunities to connect with alumni and employers
- New ways to engage with Careers and Employability services
- Global Employability Hub
Sanya Jethwani
Students' Union Postgraduate Officer 25/26