Inclusive careers for everyone

We regularly advertise events and jobs relating to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI), these are provided either by the Careers Service or external organisations. To find out what is coming up use the hashtag.

 #EdInclusiveCareers on MyCareerHub and our socials. 

Events and workshops (MyCareerHub) 

We offer confidential, one-to-one appointments with professionally qualified Careers Consultants, all of whom have undergone training in unconscious bias, and are committed to impartiality and inclusivity.  These are bookable via MyCareerHub.  

Book an appointment  (MyCareerHub) 

Information and advice for our mature students 

If you started your undergraduate degree when you were over 21, or your postgraduate degree over 25 years old, you’re not alone – approximately 20% of our undergraduates fall into this category and bring a wide range of motivations for study along with a breadth of experience. This might be your first degree, or you may have decided on a career change. You might be balancing your study with other commitments and rising to the particular challenges this brings. If your goal is to move from study into new employment, you’ll be offering an attractive combination of qualities, skills and experience to recruiters – and we’re here to support you with your planning and applications.  

Direct and indirect discrimination against candidates or employees on account of their age contravenes the Equality Act 2010.   

When advertising graduate schemes, employers can’t set an age limit, although they can advertise them as suitable for recent graduates and could specify graduation within a certain timeframe e.g. within the last two years. However, our advice about graduate schemes is, as always, that they represent only a small proportion of graduate recruitment, and if you restrict yourself to looking at these you’ll miss out on many other attractive opportunities.  

Finding graduate jobs 

As a mature student or graduate you’re likely to be able to give evidence of qualities such as determination, the ability to manage your time and commitments and to cope with pressure, flexibility – and you may have a wealth of previous work experience. Keep all this in mind when you’re applying for jobs. Be positive, and objective, when reflecting on what you have to offer.  

Our advice to you – as to all our students – is to not include your date of birth, or your age, on your CV. You’re unlikely to be asked for it on an application form. If you have a range of experience a skills-based CV is likely to work well for you, putting the emphasis on your skills and achievements with less of a focus on chronology.  

Equality and diversity issues and your graduate job hunt (information from targetjobs) 

Building your CV

Skills-based CV (Prospects)  

Online resources 

We provide access to information and advice on, for example, unconscious bias, investigating the culture of an employer, being your true self at work and more, via a suite of e-learning resources.  

Culture and Diversity e-learning  (University of Edinburgh login required) 

Information and advice for our students regarding gender 

The Equality Act 2010 makes unlawful any direct or indirect discrimination, harassment or victimisation on the grounds of a person’s sex or gender. 

Targetjobs has useful information on equality and diversity issues and graduate job hunting. 

Discrimination in the recruitment process and workplace 

The Employers Network for Equality and Inclusion (ENEI) - a leading employer network promoting equality and inclusion in the workplace. Our role is to influence government, business and trade unions, campaigning for real practical change. 

ENEI 

The Times Top 50 Employers for Women - An alphabetical list of the top 50 employers for women. Organisations are invited to submit their application to be considered for inclusion on the annual list, which celebrates the work being done to achieve gender equality in the workplace. 

The Times 

The Making Work Work - for Edinburgh Women - This programme supports women who are unemployed or under-employed whose job prospects have been impacted by a current or previous career break (e.g. mature undergraduate or postgraduate study).  

Making Work Work - for Edinburgh Women 

Online resources 

We provide access to information and advice on e.g. unconscious bias, the what, why and how of women’s networks and being your true self at work via a suite of e-learning resources.  

Culture and Diversity e-learning  (University of Edinburgh login required) 

Information and advice for our LGBTQ+ students

The Equality Act 2010 makes unlawful any discrimination, on the grounds of sexual orientation, which covers heterosexuality, homosexuality and bisexuality, or gender reassignment.   

What information you share during the recruitment process is up to you. You shouldn’t be asked about your sexual identity at interview. Whether you challenge assumptions made, is again up to you.    

If you’re uncertain how to talk about your involvement in LGBTQ+ student societies or activism, talk to us. 

How to find LGBTQ+ positive employers 

When you’re looking at vacancies do your own checks to assess the company’s commitment to inclusivity. As part of this, consider the language they use on their website and in recruitment material. If it’s gender neutral this can be an indication that the company is trans positive.  

Finding LGBTQ friendly employers (University of Edinburgh login required)  

If you’re planning to transition our recommendation is to discuss this with your employer so they can support you – but again, it’s your personal choice.  

You're welcome to book an appointment to talk this through with us. 

Book an appointment (MyCareerHub) 

Equality and diversity issues and your graduate job hunt (information from targetjobs) 

Online resources

We provide access to information and advice on e.g. finding LGBTQ-friendly employers, LGBTQ+ activity on your CV - in or out?  and being your true self at work and more, via a suite of e-learning resources.  

Culture and Diversity e-learning  (University of Edinburgh login required)

Information and advice for our students, relating to race 

Direct or indirect discrimination on the grounds of race is against the Equality Act 2010. This covers colour, nationality, and ethnic or national origin.  

We recognise that BAME is a term that isn't accepted by everyone; we use it here as it is used by many supportive organisations to refer to their areas of attention and interest.          

Equality and diversity issues and your graduate job hunt (information from TargetJobs)  

Initiatives to encourage candidates from a Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) background, both at graduate level and for internships and work experience programmes, are offered by many major employers. Examples include the 10000 Black Interns scheme, heritage training placements with Historic England, and the Civil Service’s Summer Diversity Internship Programme. Find these, and more, on MyCareerHub when they have live vacancies (or Expand Search Options to see archived vacancies). 

Opportunities (MyCareerHub)    

Established, long-running programmes which offer training and support as well as access to vacancies include the Windsor Fellowship, SEO London (Sponsors for Educational Opportunity) and Creative Access. 

Windsor Fellowship  

SEO London 

Creative Access 

Once in the workplace you may welcome the support of a network, either within your organisation itself or within your profession. Examples include the CILIP (Library and Information Association) BAME Network which provides a forum for librarians and information professionals from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds to share their experiences, support each other and network.  The BYP Network (Black Young Professionals) covers most sectors and you can join while still a student. 

BYP Network 

Online resources 

We provide access to information and advice on e.g. career support for ethnic minority students,  unconscious bias and being your true self at work and more, via a suite of e-learning resources.  

Culture and Diversity e-learning  (University of Edinburgh login required)