This section will provide you with some information about how the University’s Careers Service can support you.

It’s a good idea to familiarise yourself with the University Careers Service early on in your degree. By doing this you can start to access specialist information and advice to help you explore your options and start planning your career.

The Careers Service is a place where you can get impartial, individual support with anything related to planning or managing your career. This includes making the transition into employment, work experience or further study.

They support students at any point during their time at the University of Sheffield. You can also continue to use the Service for up to 3 years after leaving the University.

You can make an appointment to talk about how to find and apply for work experience, part-time jobs, summer or year long placements. You can also have an appointment to get support to make decisions about your plans for after University and with applying for jobs.

They run lots of different workshops on topics such as CVs, applications, interviews, job searching in the UK or abroad, and networking. Employers regularly run events for University of Sheffield students, especially in the autumn semester. You can find out about workshops and employer events by searching the events list in Career Connect (available via MUSE).

You have the option to apply for a Mentor at the start of each semester through the Careers Service’s eMentoring Scheme. The Service will try to match you to a professional who can provide you with email coaching focusing on opportunities and routes into a specific role, profession or sector that you’re interested in.

If you’re looking for ideas and inspiration, there are Graduate Case Studies available online for you to read. The Careers Service is continually developing videos and written case studies to highlight the successful transition made by disabled graduates.

Specialist support from the Careers Service

Careers Service staff are professionally trained to support autistic students. The support includes advice about if, when and how to disclose information about your autism to employers. It also includes how to explain any ‘reasonable adjustments’ you might request during the recruitment process, in the workplace or for further study.  If you’ve had any gaps in your education or any of your exam grades were lower than expected, they can support you to think about how you might explain this to potential employers.

You can self-refer into a longer guidance appointment (lasting up to 40 minutes) if you think you will need more time to discuss your Career planning etc.  To arrange this you should contact the Careers Service’s First Contact Team by live web chat Monday-Friday (9am-5pm), by calling 0114 222 0910, or by submitting an email enquiry via Career Connect.

For further information, visit the Disability section of the Careers Service website. 

Is there any specific help with job/work experience/placement searching?

• All students have access via their MUSE to Career Connect. In Career Connect you can select a pathway that will guide you through helpful resources on a range of topics, including how to search for jobs, placements or work experience. Once you have completed a pathway you will gain access to an individual appointment.
• The Careers Service can be accessed during University semester time and vacation periods, including the summer vacation. Use their web chat service (9am – 5pm, Monday to Friday) or submit an email enquiry anytime via Career Connect. Telephone, Skype and Google Meet appointments are available.

If you would like to make an appointment, follow these steps:

• To book an initial 20 minute appointment, access Career Connect via MUSE. In Career Connect you can select a pathway that will guide you through helpful resources on a range of careers related topics. Once you have completed a pathway you will gain access to an individual appointment. Due to COVID-19 the Careers Service is currently offering all appointments via telephone, Skype or Google Meet. Normally in person appointments are available at the Careers Service, Ground Floor, Edgar Allen House. Find the Careers Service on this map.
• Alternatively, if you would prefer to speak to someone without having to complete a resource pathway, use the Careers Service’s web chat service (9am – 5pm, Monday to Friday) or submit an email enquiry anytime via Career Connect. You can request to have a 20 minute appointment, though you will need to give a brief explanation of why this is your preference.
• If you don’t think 20 minutes is long enough, contact the Service to request an appointment and provide a brief explanation of why a 40 minute appointment would be beneficial. For example, you could say that you access DDSS and have a Learning Support Plan in place.

Further information about the Careers Service can be found on their website. Also see their Disability web page which has advice and resources for disabled students.  For links to further information and advice, see the Equality issues – Disability section of the Information Resources.

Information videos from staff and disabled students on the subject of disclosure and reasonable adjustments during study, the application process and in work.

‘Access to Work is a government programme aimed at supporting disabled people to take up or remain in work’ (Disability Rights UK).