FAQs for Personal Academic Tutors
This resource has been developed to help tutors signpost their tutees to relevant help and support from Careers Network. It will be equally useful for other academic and support staff who wish to understand the services provided.
Getting started with careers support
What careers support is available to my tutees at Loughborough?
Students can access a wide range of careers services, including one-to-one advice and coaching, CV/application support, interview practice, workshops, events, online tools, job hunting support, access to and guidance for placements/internship opportunities, and enterprise support. The Careers Network also runs tailored programmes such as Personal Best and Futures for different student groups. Careers Network support for current students is free and part of their Loughborough experience.
How can students access 1:1 career help?
Students can book appointments via the Careers Network online booking portal Target Connect, by calling the booking number on 01509 222765, or by calling in at Reception in the Bridgeman Building. To understand the differences and how to book, see our detailed explanations of all types of appointments.
Alternatively, students can just drop in at our Careers Hub situated in room EHB 2.03 upstairs in the Edward Herbert Building, open 11am-3pm on weekdays during term time.
When can students start using the Careers Network?
Students can access careers support from Foundation and Year 1 onward, not just in their final year. Tutors should encourage early engagement with events and online tools and information, as early awareness is shown to boost student confidence and career planning.
Where should I signpost students to get started with career support?
Send students to the Careers Network Your Career web page, which offers tailored guidance for researching options, developing skills, applications, placements, enterprise, and events.
Careers support at different stages
What careers support is available to students at all the different stages of study?
Loughborough offers Futures Programmes tailored to year and study level, including Early Futures, Placement Futures, Finalist Futures, Master's Futures, PhD Futures, Graduate Futures. There are bespoke programmes for International Futures and Diverse Futures too.
Can Careers Network still help me if I’m studying in a more technical area?
Yes. Careers staff are experts in signposting to relevant information in the various disciplines, so that students can progress with their career research and activities whatever their background, as well as sharing insights that are relevant to all. There are careers coaches allocated to 'STEM' caseloads supporting finalists, postgraduates and researchers. To find out more about them you can meet the teams.
What careers support is available for Foundation, Year 1 and Year 2 students?
A summary of the support available to this cohort of students is given on the Early Futures web page, including events, resources, newsletters and information about the Personal Best programme.
What support is there for finalists specifically?
Finalists have tailored support available via the Finalist Futures programme through 1:1 coaching, presentations and events, help with career planning, finding and applying for jobs, exploring postgraduate study and entrepreneurship. There are also regular newsletters for finalists. Detailed information is available on the finalists futures web page.
Is there specific careers help for postgraduate students?
Yes. We have tailored support for both postgraduate taught and research students via our Master's Futures and PhD Futures programmes. This includes 1:1 coaching, talks and workshops, newsletters and resources.
What careers support is available for international students?
Careers Network provides the International Futures programme dedicated to international students’ needs, including tailored advice, events and workshops, and access to specialist online platforms to enhance their employability and job search strategies.
Can students still access support after graduation?
Yes. Graduates can access support for up to 5 years after graduation. More information is provided on our Graduate Futures webpage.
What is the Career Destinations and Support Survey?
This is an annual survey released in the Spring that allows finalists to share their plans with the University and opt in for ongoing careers support as required. It provides useful career trend data and allows us to keep in touch with graduates. Tutors should encourage all their tutees to complete the 2026 Career Destinations and Support Survey.
Skill development and other support
What opportunities exist for students wanting to develop skills (academic, employability, personal)?
Students are encouraged to explore the following:
- The Personal Best skills development programme – an exclusive development programme designed to help students achieve their academic, professional and personal goals at Loughborough University.
- Skills for Academic Success programmes – where eligible students can take part in activities, gain experience, and access 1:1 coaching.
- Employability – Develop employability via work opportunities and networking with employers that come onto campus offering drop-in sessions, pop-up attraction, employability skills training, interview day, sector specific insight events and presentations throughout the year. See what’s on and book via Target Connect.
What does the Student Success Academy do and how can students access support?
The Student Success Academy is a Loughborough University programme that helps students build skills, overcome barriers, and succeed academically and professionally. It offers peer mentoring, academic success coaching, and skills workshops at key points in the student journey. The programme is designed mainly for students from under-represented or disadvantaged backgrounds, including widening participation groups and Black and South Asian students, with the aim of improving outcomes such as grades, placements, and graduate employment.
Students can access support by completing the sign up form and can email successacademy@mailbox.lboro.ac.uk with any questions.
What should I do if a student needs wellbeing or personal support alongside career issues?
Direct them to Student Services for pastoral, mental health, disability, academic and assessment or financial support.
What support is available to students with disabilities or long-term health conditions?
Students with disabilities can access support provided by the Careers Network team in combination with various recommended resources provided by expert external organisations. They may wish to consider whether to share information about a disability with employers. Careers Network staff can discuss this in confidence and provide additional support where needed. Further information is provided on our Diverse Futures webpage for Disabled Students.
Advice on specific topics
Can students get support with CVs, applications, employer tests, interviews and assessment centres?
Yes. Careers Network offers help for all aspects of the recruitment and selection process including:
- CV and cover letter feedback and application checks
- Practice interviews
- Mock assessment centre events
- Online practice packages for video interviews and employer tests
We offer 1:1 appointments and drop ins, in person and online events , useful information on our website and online tools to assist with this. Our online course Excel in Employer Selection Processes is highly recommended.
What if a student doesn't know what they want to do for a job or career?
There are some really useful resources to support career planning on the Choosing your Career page of our website and the Options with Your Degree pages, which include degree‑tailored resources and sector insights. Our online course Plan Your Career Journey is also highly recommended
Can Careers Network help with postgraduate study decisions?
Yes. Careers Network staff offer information and guidance on postgraduate study, including how to research options and prepare competitive applications. Direct students to our Postgraduate Study webpage and 1:1 appointments.
What about enterprise or starting a business?
The Loughborough Enterprise Network offers help for students exploring entrepreneurship, business planning, and self-employment opportunities. Discover the various levels of support on our Embrace Entrepreneurship webpages.
What should I do if a student is considering changing or leaving their course?
Careers Network supports career exploration for students at all stages, including those uncertain about their academic path. In this instance students are encouraged to make an appointment to talk to a member of careers staff, usually a career coach. In addition to consulting their tutor about any academic concerns, they should keep in the School Admin team updated regarding any changes.
What support is available for placements and internships?
Careers Network works with in-School Placement Teams providing complementary support including:
- Help finding and applying for placements via 1:1 appointments, talks and workshops, and information on our website.
- Opportunities to meet employers at events and one of the UK’s largest university careers fairs.
- Support and information prior to and during placement via Placement Futures and Stay Connected schemes.
Find advice for shorter work experiences on our webpage for Internships, Part-time work and Volunteering.
What are Talent Match Internships?
The Talent Match programme connects Loughborough students with short-term paid internships either within the university (schools and professional services), or with external organisations and SMEs in the UK or internationally. The aim is to give students accessible early work experience opportunities that fit around their studies and help them develop skills valued by employers.
There are schemes available for application at different points in the year aimed at undergrads and master’s students. Students can view opportunities on Target Connect, submit an application which (usually) will be shortlisted by Careers Network, and then interviews take place with the host department or organisation. Detailed information about all the schemes, timings and how to apply are available on our website.
How does a student add or remove a placement year from their degree?
They would need to complete a route change request. The student handbook provides an overview and there’s further information on the Student Services website.
How can students find opportunities to work and study abroad?
We recommend directing students to the International Study Exchange pages on the university website, and the Global Opportunities pages on the Careers Network website, as good starting points for their research.
Can Careers Network help students with part time work or campus jobs?
Yes. Careers Network can point students to vacancies, part-time work opportunities, networking, and tools to support job searches. Students can book in or drop in for a chat or see our website for further help.
Recommended resources and activities
What sort of career building activities should students be doing in their different years of study?
See the handy Employability Timeline available on the Personal Best App for lots of practical ideas.
Where can students find employer events and networking opportunities?
We host one of the largest careers fairs in the country, plus numerous sector specific events and alumni networking opportunities. See Attend Events for more information.
How can students prepare for career events & fairs?
Students can find online advice on our Futures fairs pages and the Personal Best app. In addition they can use our appointments and Careers Hub drop-ins for advance CV checks and tips on networking.
What is the Personal Best Award?
Complete at least 4 skills badges: academic, professional, and personal skills, such as digital success, creativity and leadership via the Personal Best app, and students will receive the Personal Best Award. This will feature on their degree transcript when they complete their course and demonstrates to employers how they have enhanced their skills at university.
What key online careers platforms and on-demand training can students access via Careers Network?
Students can access a wealth of online resources (job boards, planning tools, webinars, CV templates) via the Careers Network website and platforms. Here’s a selection of the key online platforms we offer or subscribe to:
TargetConnect – Careers Network’s main online portal where students can search jobs, placements and internships, book careers appointments, and register for events and workshops.
AI Power Tools – that sit within TargetConnect including Career Inspiration, CV Review and Interview Coach – providing 24/7 personalised careers insights, instant CV reviews, and video interview practice and feedback. Access here.
Personal Best – A structured skills development programme and online resource that helps students build employability skills, reflect on experiences, and develop their career plans. Access here.
Career Success Toolkit – a collection of on‑demand resources, templates and checklists that sit within Personal Best, that help with career‑readiness and employability skills. Access here.
eCareersGrad – Interactive video-based training to help students prepare effectively for interviews. Also includes specific guidance for international students on navigating UK recruitment and identifying employers that sponsor. Access here.
Graduates First – An online practice platform for psychometric tests, aptitude tests, and video interviews, with detailed feedback to help students prepare for employer selection processes. Access here.
Student Circus – A job platform for international students highlighting visa-sponsoring employers, internships and graduate roles, alongside immigration and job-search guidance. Access here.
Excel in Employer Selection Processes (online course) – A Careers Network self-paced course helping students prepare and navigate the recruitment process, includes CVs, applications, psychometric tests, assessment centres, and interviews. Access here.
Plan Your Career Journey (online course) – A self-guided career planning course supporting students to explore career options, identify strengths, and create a clear career action plan. Access here.
Further information on all of these can be found in one place on our Online Tools wepage.
Thought of a question we haven't included?
Please email us on careers.network@mailbox.lboro.ac.uk with your question and we will publish the answer above.