How to get ahead in your field

Internships are one of the best ways to beef up your resume as a university student. They usually don't involve full time hours, don't require a higher education degree, and generally don’t expect years of past experience as a prerequisite. However, this doesn’t mean getting an internship isn’t competitive or difficult. In order to make yourself stand out as a candidate and secure some valuable work experience, you’ll want to remember some of these!

Crafting your CV 

Having an up-to-date, easy to read, and comprehensive CV is the most crucial part of your profile to employers. It's basically their first impression of you! Make sure it is straight to the point and captures your passion, creativity, and drive. 

Use Canva to polish up the formatting (but don't go overboard with any fancy colours or shapes), add in your education history, and don't overlook your 'transferable skills'! Captain of your uni football team? That’s leadership! Part-time barista? Hello, time management!

Cover Letter 

It seems like such a drag and a tedious task but a cover letter should not be overlooked. Your CV is an organised timeline and itemised list of your strengths and past experiences, however, a cover letter is a stage for your personality and enthusiasm. 

Once again, keep it concise and tight. It's not an essay nor a love letter so try to keep a balance between professional language and showcasing your individual passions.  

Top tip: recruiters can smell a copy and paste job or an AI paragraph from a mile away! The key is to be specific. Why you want this role, why you want to be part of this company, why you think you're ready now.

Network, network, and more networking

There are some opportunities and positions that you won't hear about even after hours of LinkedIn and Indeed searching. There are some roles in which you will need that extra competitive push of a firm handshake with a representative from that company or a hardy conversation about your interest in it. These small steps towards securing that one internship can be found on campus. Keep your eye on the Cardiff Uni official websites and check the announcements from your faculty advertising employers/job opportunity fairs. On top of this, don't be too shy to reach out on LinkedIn with alumni or professionals who work in your fields of interest! I promise they don't bite, and would be more than happy to help a prospective student. 

Interview preparation

Congrats! You made it to the next round, an interview. Now don't be too intimidated, you'll ace it with flying colors as long as you are prepared. Most interviews will follow the same line of questioning: Why do you want this role? Why do you think you are suited to this position? What are you future goals? etc. The most vital part is to think about and craft your answers but not sound as though you're reading a teleprompter or script. Spend time writing out your core motivations for pursuing this role and what skills you bring to the table. Don't hold back from practicing aloud to yourself or making one of your flatmates help you.

Online resources

Finding internships in the UK is easier with the right resources! Start with your university’s career service portal, where companies often post student-focused roles. Check out LinkedIn for tailored job searches and networking—join relevant groups and set up job alerts. For STEM opportunities, Gradcracker is your go-to, while RateMyPlacement offers internships and reviews to help you pick the right fit. Finally, explore student-specific platforms like Bright Network and TARGETjobs for a mix of roles across industries. Get started with these:  Gradcracker, RateMyPlacement, Bright Network, and TARGETjobs.

Handling rejection like a champ!

It sometimes feels like people are always saying the same things about the 'job market' and how its gotten so much tougher, competitive, saturated, etc. It's not going to be easy to set your future self up and open doors for youself. But grit and perseverence will be what seperates the rejections from success stories. There is a difference between doing 'research' on the job market and just doom scrolling on social media and comparing yourself to other applicants. 

Rome wasn’t built in a day, but they were laying bricks every hour.

Remember, internships aren’t just about landing a job they’re about learning, growing, and discovering what excites you. Focus on your journey, not someone else’s timeline, and keep putting yourself out there. Each application, interview, and even rejection is a step closer to the opportunity that’s meant for you. You've got this!