Age careers support

Finding employers committed to age can be easily facilitated by attending employer events and fairs that are mentioned on the Careers Connect Page.

You can also get a detailed overview of their corporate culture and inclusivity efforts by looking through their respective profiles on LinkedIn.

The following list shows you employers who are actively part of age initiatives:

Resource list

• Members - Employers Network for Equality & Inclusion - lists over 300 employers who encourage applications from graduates of any age.
• Prime Candidate - part of The Age Diversity Forum - shows jobs from organisations that are considerate of an age diverse workforce.
• Age-friendly Employer Pledge | Centre for Ageing Better - list of employers who recognise the importance of older workers in boosting productivity and filling key skills gaps.
• Jobs/Redefined - search thousands of roles with age-inclusive UK employers.
• UnLtd support social entrepreneurs throughout the UK. They have frequently worked with over 50s looking to make a difference in their communities and beyond.

Whilst you are studying here at UoB, you can gain work experience, which will support you in your employability.

There are many ways to gain this experience, either through our programmes at UoB or with external organisations.

Remember, work experience does not have to be a full-time internship; it can be something which fits around your studies during term-time or during the holidays.

If working during term time, the University recommends that you only work 15 hours maximum per week to support you in balancing your studies with work.

Resource list 

Internal opportunities at UOB 

• The B-Experienced Internship Programme
• The Birmingham Project (for first year undergraduates)
• Impact Challenge (for penultimate and final year undergraduates)
• Masters Consultancy Challenge (for postgraduates) 

External opportunities

• Prince's Trust - Get experience - The Get Into scheme helps people aged 16 to 30 to get work experience.
• Bright Network offer a range of programs and initiatives, including networking events, skills workshops, and work experience opportunities to help connect graduates with employers. 
• Be your own boss - Age UK - The number of self-employed people aged 65 and over has more than doubled in the past five years. It also allows you to work flexibly and decide your own workload.

Mentoring Schemes and networking allows students to engage with industry professionals that are like minded, who help initiate conversation around you and your career development.

They empower and motivate you to understand your goals and advise you on how you can achieve these.

• LinkedIn is a great place to find out about virtual and face-to-face events.
• Read the trade media and websites for your sector.
• Develop your contacts' network. Think about all the people you know and find old colleagues / work mates.

Resource list

• Careers Network Mentoring
• The Prince’s Trust help young people aged 11-30 access job opportunities and build your confidence. They also provide training, mentoring and funding to start your own business.
• Step is a UK-based charity that aims to support graduates in accessing employment opportunities. They offer a range of programs and initiatives, including mentoring, training, and work experience placements.
• Unionlearn - Create your own future - supported by a virtual mentor, identify your transferable skills and become inspired and motivated to gain new skills.
• University of the Third Age (u3a) is a nationwide network of learning groups aimed at encouraging older people to share their knowledge, skills and interests in a friendly environment. If there’s enough demand in your area for a certain subject, you can start up a group yourself.
• Interest Groups Online is a platform for collaborative learning. It is an online community, bringing people together from all across the u3a movement and beyond. It gives you the opportunity to join groups, talks and courses from the comfort of your home, wherever you are located.
• Birmingham Entrepreneurs Meetup group
• Birmingham 30s & 40s Meetup group
• Birmingham Over 50s Meetup group
• See if there are young professional networking groups where you live, such as these in Manchester, Leeds and Worcester. Or try looking for Groups on Meetup to expand your network through shared interests.

Meet our students and graduates who come from a varied range of backgrounds sharing their success stories and what helped them the most: Hear from our students