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For many students, the pressure around employment builds quietly. You start out feeling hopeful and raring to go, but after weeks of applications and few responses, that optimism can be hard to hold onto. You might worry about covering basics like rent, food or bills and feel frustrated even when you’re putting in the effort. But the pressure isn’t just financial – it can take a real emotional toll too. It can knock your confidence, leave you feeling overwhelmed and at times it can be hard to see a way forward. Even though it’s often just a competitive job market, that doesn’t make it easier to sit with.
What you told us about your employment pressures
Our recent survey superhero report showed that the gap between what students need from work and what they’re actually getting is getting worse. Around 42% of Exeter students have a part-time job right now, but a further 17% are still looking and haven’t found anything yet, and for many of those students, that search isn’t just about having extra spending money. You might find yourself constantly trying to make your money stretch, which can be exhausting or feel pressure to take on work that doesn’t feel right just to get by. It can also feel very isolating if others around you seem more financially secure – even if you know that’s rarely the full picture.
For a lot of students, part-time work isn’t optional. It’s what makes being here possible, and when that’s not falling into place, it affects everything – your focus, your wellbeing, your ability to enjoy student life.
What your Elected Officers are working on:
What students have told us is that it’s rarely one big thing – it's the build-up of smaller moments that makes the whole process feel harder than it should. Your elected officers have been listening, and here’s what they’re working on.
Career Pop Ups with the Career Zone
Only 2 in 3 Exeter students have used the Career Zone during their studies, and of those who haven’t, 16% say they’re simply unsure what it offers or how to access it. It’s not that students don’t want support – sometimes it just takes a nudge in the right direction. Gemma has been working with Career Zone advisors to make that first step a lot easier. Since January, drop-in pop-up sessions have been running twice a month, with advisors on hand for CV support, cover letter feedback and graduate role advice - no appointment needed. They’ve already been well received and fuelled plans to expand the scheme to St Luke’s and bring in more advisors over time.
Creative Careers
1 in 3 students studying HASS (Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences) subjects aren’t confident they’ll find employment after graduating. For many students in the creative subjects, the career support on offer doesn’t always feel like it was built for them in mind. Graduate schemes and corporate pathways tend to dominate, which isn’t always what all students looking for. Gemma has been lobbying for more dedicated support for students going into creative industries, and the plan is a weeklong stream of activities for creative industries next academic year – something that reflects the path students in these subjects are building towards.
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Working Wardrobe
Interview clothing can be expensive, and for many students it’s an extra cost that can quietly get in the way of applying for jobs, placements or internships. Beyond cost, what you wear can affect how confident you feel walking into the room. Building on work started by last year’s Officers, the Working Wardrobe scheme makes interview-appropriate clothing more accessible through pop-ups run with the Career Zone and 93% Club. Donations are stored in the Old Library, and pop-ups are advertised across Guild social channels throughout the year – so keep an eye out!
AI and the Graduate Market
AI is already part of how a lot of students are approaching their job search – 1 in 5 Exeter students have used it to improve their CV or cover letter, and 1 in 8 have used it to practice interview questions. But with the graduate market moving quickly, your officers want to make sure students are building those skills with proper guidance behind them. After attending the Wonkhe AI conference earlier this year, Gemma and Francis have been working closely with the University's AI team and library to keep student needs centra to the conversation. Francis has also been running AI assemblies to gather students' views and feed them directly back to university staff, making sure the student voice is part of the conversation.
The findings from our Survey Superhero's research don’t just sit in a report. Seb, Gemma and Francis are taking the employment data directly to the Career Zone, the campus employment sub-group and the Student Experience and Partnership Board, using it to push part-time work opportunities, better access to careers support and graduate provisions that actually work for all students.
Seb, Kira, Rose, Gemma and Francis [Your 2025-26 Elected Officers]