How I've used CareersPlus to support my career journey

Undergraduate student, Laura, shares how the CareersPlus services have enhanced her experience at university. 

When I first arrived at Warwick Business School, I assumed the careers service was mainly there for final-year students who already knew exactly what they wanted to do. In my mind, it only became relevant once you had enough experience to be “career-ready”. What I did not realise at the time was that CareersPlus would actually help me build that readiness from the very beginning, long before I had a clear plan.

Understanding the value of my experience

One of my first real interactions with CareersPlus was in first year, when I booked a CV revision appointment. At that point, I felt slightly out of place. I only had two short experiences and was convinced my CV would look weak compared to others. What surprised me most was the accessibility of the support. CareersPlus offered a lot of flexibility, from booking one‑to‑one appointments to quick drop‑in sessions in the Business School café, which made it easy to ask for feedback whenever I needed it.

During these conversations, we spent a lot of time unpacking experiences I had previously underestimated. Instead of simply listing roles or responsibilities, I was encouraged to reflect on what I had learned, the skills I had developed, and how these could be relevant in a professional context.

This helped me understand that a CV is not about having the “right” experiences, but about explaining your journey in a clear and thoughtful way. That shift in perspective stayed with me and definitely influenced how I approached applications throughout my degree, making me more confident in presenting myself even when I felt I still had a lot to learn.

Broadening my view of career options

As I progressed, I started using the Career Sector Guides, which played an important role in shaping my understanding of different career paths. Like many students, my early exposure to careers was dominated by a few well‑known options that came up repeatedly in presentations and employer talks, such as accounting and investment banking. While these paths clearly appeal to many people, the guides helped me step back and explore a wider range of industries at my own pace.

Reading through them made me realise that I was far more interested in marketing roles and in sectors such as consumer goods and retail. More importantly, they helped me see how these interests could still sit within finance‑related organisations, where commercial awareness and consumer insight are highly valued. This helped me move away from the idea that careers fit into neat boxes and gave me confidence to explore roles that genuinely felt aligned with my strengths and interests.

Planning a Year Abroad with Purpose

CareersPlus became especially valuable when I started planning my year abroad. I was very clear that I wanted to go to Asia, but beyond that, my thinking was quite vague. Initially, I assumed that securing a one‑year internship straight away would be the best option.

However, through conversations with a careers adviser, I was encouraged to think more critically about how I work and what helps me adapt best to new environments.

We discussed the idea of studying first, allowing time to settle into a new country before moving into a professional role. Following this advice led me to Singapore, where I studied first and later completed a six‑month internship. In hindsight, this structure made a huge difference. By the time I started working, I was already familiar with the culture, had built a social circle, and felt comfortable navigating daily life. This meant I could focus more energy on learning and performing well at work, rather than feeling overwhelmed by everything at once. CareersPlus also helped me understand practical considerations such as visa options, including the Holiday Pass, which made a shorter internship both realistic and accessible.

Becoming familiar with the application system

Finally, CareersPlus has consistently been useful as a platform for exploring job and internship opportunities, particularly within the UK system. Coming from Spain, recruitment processes such as spring weeks and placements were completely unfamiliar to me. Even when applications were unsuccessful, the process helped me understand how different companies operate, where they are present globally, and how recruitment works in practice.

In several cases, this also led me to connect with professionals on LinkedIn, turning an initial rejection into the start of a conversation and, potentially, a future opportunity. It reinforced the idea that it is always worth trying, as you never really know where a first step might lead!

Overall, CareersPlus has supported me not by giving me a fixed career path but by helping me reflect, explore, and make informed decisions at each stage of my degree. It has been most valuable in the moments when I felt unsure, showing me that uncertainty can be a starting point rather than a weakness.