Find your next step: chat with a student career coach
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As the academic year begins to wind down, it’s natural to start thinking a bit more seriously about what comes next. For some, that might mean stepping into a graduate role. For others, it could be travelling, taking time out, or exploring postgraduate study.
Wherever you are right now, this is a great time to start looking at your options. And one of the easiest ways to begin is by dropping into the Careers Studio for a chat with our student career coaches.
Support from students who understand
One of the things that makes the Careers Studio different is that the coaches are students too. The coaches come from a variety of different schools, levels of study and programmes. They’re also going through the same mix of deadlines, decisions, and uncertainty, which makes conversations feel a lot more genuine.
“I think having the opportunity to speak to a person who knows more information about something you need help with, that is, at the same time, in the same boat- lifestyle/ academics wise can be really stress-relieving. It takes away all aspect of talking about formal settings in an overly formal manner and allows students to just express themselves, their concerns and what they need help with” - Second Year BA Hons Illustration Careers Coach
Because of that shared experience, the Careers Studio is designed to feel relaxed and informal. You don’t need to come in with a plan; it’s simply a space to talk things through with someone who understands where you’re coming from.
Not sure what’s next? That’s okay
If you’re feeling unsure about your future, you’re definitely not alone. A lot of students feel exactly the same way, and you don’t need to have everything figured out before you visit.
“Talking to a student career coach makes a difference because we share the experience as the other students do. We all understand the difficulties in searching for jobs, however, we're all very well versed in traversing these obstacles. One of the key tenets of being a student career coach is utilising our experiences to get you to the right place.” - Final Year BSc (Hons.) Computer Science (Software Engineering) Careers Coach
A quick conversation can help you start to:
- Think about what interests and motivates you
- Reflect on your skills and experiences
Sometimes, just saying things out loud can help everything feel a bit clearer.
Considering postgraduate study?
If postgraduate study is something you’ve been thinking about, even vaguely, it’s worth having a conversation early on. You could even go along to an Open Day and talk to academics.
Even if you’re just exploring the idea, talking it through can open up options you might not have considered.
Why now?
With summer approaching, especially for final-year students, this is a great time to start taking action. Thinking ahead now can help ease the pressure later and give you more time to make informed decisions.
That said, it’s not just about final year. Starting these conversations early can be helpful at any stage of your degree.
Take the first step
The Careers Studio is there to help you explore ideas, ask questions, and start thinking about your future in a supportive, student-led environment. The Careers Studio is based in the Hutton Hub on College Lane. The service is open on Monday to Thursdays from 9.00 – 17.00 and on Fridays from 9.00 – 16.00.
You can also visit our website careers.herts.ac.uk to find all of our free online resources.
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Chloe Smith, Careers Projects and Events Officer, BA Business and Marketing graduate from the University of Hertfordshire
My journey into the Careers team started during my second year of university, when I worked as a Careers Coach alongside my studies.
I then completed a placement year within the department, gaining hands-on experience in supporting students and delivering careers initiatives. These experiences confirmed my passion for this area and led me to where I am today, helping students build confidence, develop key skills, and take positive steps towards their future careers.