First Year

You’ve got a lot going on – settling in, starting your course, making friends – so it’s easy to feel like your career and work experience can wait.

However, everything you do this year contributes towards achieving your dream job.

We recommend getting started with Aston Futures – It’s your go-to place for job opportunities, events, and booking appointments with Careers and Placements staff and much more. To get started, follow this timeline:

September to December

Clubs and societies 

Aston has a huge choice of clubs, societies and extra-curricular activities. Join in, meet new friends and have fun – alongside building skills and experience that’ll set you apart when you’re looking for placements and other opportunities.  

Part-time jobs and volunteering 

If you’re looking for part-time jobs or volunteering positions, the Careers & Placements Team can help. Gaining work experience now will help you explore different sectors and develop key skills, giving you a strong competitive edge when applying for placements and graduate roles.

Meet your Careers and Placements team 

You may not need us yet, but it’s good to know we’re here. Visit Careers and Placements in the Student Solutions Centre to meet the team and access our resources.

January to March

Which career? 

If you don’t already have a career in mind, that's fine. Now’s the perfect time to start researching options and exploring possibilities with the help of our team, as well as looking for relevant part-time jobs. 

Develop your CV 

Even though you might not have a lot to add just yet, it’s good to have a draft of your CV ready to build on and develop as you progress. There’s plenty of CV templates, CV Guides and advice to get you started in our Resource Library, and you can book a tutorial on Aston Futures. 

Explore insight experiences and short term internships 

Insight experiences and short-term internships are a great way to gather invaluable work experience while being able to test-drive possible career options. The UK's biggest employers offer these opportunities to students on a regular basis, with some aimed at students studying for specific degrees.  

April to June

Research placement activities 

We know what you’re thinking: 12 months ahead… is it really necessary? Well, some big names will be opening placement applications very soon, so it’s never too early.  

Tailor your CV 

Spend time updating your CV with any new experiences from the last year. Depending on the job or placement you're aiming for, you’ll want to tailor it. If you’re unsure about anything, book a careers appointment or attend a careers drop-in. 

Over the summer

Give yourself a boost 

There are a few things you can do to enhance your CV and prepare for the year ahead: 

• Find some part-time jobs and volunteering work to help you gain new skills and experience. 
• Look into the various industries and occupations linked to your degree and consider researching individual companies too, so you’ll be in a prime position to apply for placements.  
• Set aside some time for psychometric tests. They’re often used in applications for placements and internships, so practising will help you feel more relaxed.    

Stay up to date with the latest job opportunities, events and top tips by following us on LinkedIn and Instagram.

Useful Resources

We've hand-picked these resources for first-year students. There's support with making a decision on career options, building your CV and getting prepared for interviews of all kinds.