At the Development and Alumni Relations Office (DARO) we work with departments across the University to match alumni volunteers with relevant and rewarding opportunities. There are so many different ways to get involved as a Bristol Volunteer and all of them make a huge difference to our community. Whether you give your time or expertise, you will be helping to enrich the lives of students and graduates alike.
Current volunteering opportunities are listed below.
Could you share your career journey with our students and recent graduates?
Faculty of Life Sciences work experience and online events
Through the Faculty of Life Sciences alumni can get involved with various engagement activities, virtually or safely in person, and work directly with students to enhance their educational experience and employability.
If you are a Biochemistry or Cellular and Molecular Medicine graduate and would like to help students enhance their employability and help them to realise their future in this field then we would like to hear from you, by completing this form. If you have any questions please contact Dr Caroline McKinnon (School of Biochemistry EDI, Student Careers and Outreach Director); c.m.mckinnon@bristol.ac.uk.
Chaos- Bristol Physics Society
We are looking for Physics graduates, who graduated in the past 5 years to be speakers and share their experiences from their time at Bristol to their current positions. In hearing from relatable experiences, we hope to bring useful resources into the spotlight as well as motivate current students to start looking at their post-graduation options, especially those that they may not have previously considered.
These talks will consist of introductions from each speakers (3-4 per session) followed by a Q&A session. To express your interest or to find out more, please contact Will Routledge at py18132@bristol.ac.uk.
Science graduates- Could you share your career insight with our students?
The Faculty of Science is looking for graduates who work in a variety of sectors outside of the lab to share their career insight with current students at their Alumni Careers Evening in early November. The event, which will be delivered online, aims to give Faculty of Science students (Chemistry, Earth Sciences, Geographical Sciences, Maths and Physics) insight into why their skills, knowledge and mindset can help them to pursue successful careers in Accountancy; Finance & Insurance; Management Consultancy; IT; Education; Public Sector; Recruitment; Advertising & Market Research; Law; Data Analysis and Business Development.
If you graduated from one of the Schools in the Faculty of Science, ideally between 2015- and 2018, please get in touch with the Faculty via pa-science@bristol.ac.uk to express your interest and find out more.
Bristol Connects: Share your Bristol Experience as a Career Expert
Whether you work in the public or private sector, a multi-national company or for yourself, your career path could provide inspiration to others. It is easy to become a Career Expert through Bristol Connects. If you choose to volunteer in this way, your profile, including your career history and your industry insight, will be available for students and alumni to view. You can choose to be available for students and alumni to connect with on a one to one basis, providing help on specialist topics and offering opportunities of your choice. Become a Career Expert today.
Offer your time as a mentor
Faculty of Social Sciences and Professional Liaison Network (PLN) Mentoring Scheme
Through the Professional Liaison Network (PLN), alumni can get involved with various engagement activities and work directly with students to enhance their educational experience. One of our largest activities is the Professional Mentoring Scheme which supports students across the Faculty of Social Sciences and Law.
If you are a Law or Education graduate and would like to help students realise their future in the Social Sciences field, we would love to hear from you. Please contact Isabelle Halton, isabelle.halton@bristol.ac.uk.
Bristol Mentors
Would you like to mentor a student from an under-represented background, providing career-focused support to help them achieve their potential? The programme runs from October- June and you will be matched with one student mentee to support for 1-2 hours per month. Visit the Bristol Mentors webpage to find out more. If you are interested, please email Ann O’Malley- ann.omalley@bristol.ac.uk.
We currently need mentors from the following sectors:
- Charity/ Third sector
- Government/Civil Service
- Journalism
- Investment Banking
- Neuroscience
- Costume Design
Digital Reunions
Recently our alumni from Eastern Canada held their first digital reunion, it was lovely to hear alumni reminiscing about their time in Bristol. If you are interested in holding your own online reunion and would like us to help please contact alumni-volunteers@bristol.ac.uk.