The Careers Chat

The Careers Chat
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A UK-focused careers podcast for international students and alumni, but also relevant for undergraduate UK-students. Hosted by Siobhan Qadir (Senior Careers Consultant) and Konstantina Dee (Alumni Careers Manager). Queries, question or ideas contact us at the thecareerschat@outlook.com. Episodes are also available on our YouTube channel www.youtube.com/@TheCareersChat/ with Subtitles & Transcripts. The views expressed here are solely those of the individuals featured. The University of Warwick takes no responsibility for the topicality, correctness, completeness or quality of those views.

  1. AI in Careers and Education with Lee Griffin (The Careers Chat S3E5)

    FEB 4

    AI in Careers and Education with Lee Griffin (The Careers Chat S3E5)

    In this episode Siobhan and Konstantina chat with Lee Griffin Academic Director (Postgraduate Taught) at University of Warwick, about the impact of AI on Careers and Education. Careers services can help students avoid making decisions based on AI fearsThe GenAI Divide STATE OF AI IN BUSINESS 2025Please note this episode was recorded near the end of 2025 and additional links for content mentioned within the podcast will be added asap. The video version of this podcast is available on our YouTube channel with a transcript and subtitles. https://www.youtube.com/@TheCareersChat The audio version of this podcast is also available on other Audio podcast platforms including Amazon, Apple, Castbox.

    35 min
  2. Immigration White Paper May 2025 (Bonus clip from S3E3)

    JAN 22 ·  BONUS

    Immigration White Paper May 2025 (Bonus clip from S3E3)

    In episode 3 of season 3 Siobhan and Konstantina chat with guest Dhruv Khrisnaraj the Director & Co-Founder at Student Circus a job search platform for international students. ⁠Find out more on the Warwick University Careers pages for International Students⁠⁠The full video podcast is available on YouTube⁠⁠International Graduate Success with Dhruv Khrisnaraj SpotifyUK government's immigration White Paper (The Careers Chat Bonus Episode Season 3) YouTubeTranscript: "Siobhan Qadir: And you mentioned the dreaded white paper I guess, you know, we've had a lot of really stressed out students, current students, and I’m about to start working with pre-arrival things, events and such like. But what do you think moving forward with... we've got to give people an idea of what they can do if it is shortened, what would your advice be? Dhruv Khrisnaraj: So the good part is they've now got rid of it. It's shortened there was a lot of talk that they want to get rid of it. And they've not kind of done any sort of requirements where you have to get a graduate level job.You can do anything even for 18 months even if they go through with the proposal. So look, Yes you think it's shorter by six months, which is a big deal, I don't think so I still think that it's not just 18 months that students have.Funnily enough, after you finish your course you have four months on your student visa, which is the amount of time it takes to pass your degree and get your certification and all that kind of stuff and then apply for the Post-Study work visa.So technically it's not 18, you still have a good 20 to 23 months. You know, between you finishing your course and your post-study work visa ending, that's almost two years.You can do a lot in two years honestly speaking you can hustle your way, you can network with people you can do so many different...you can get work experience. You know, a lot of the time students are kind of stuck up on...I'm not advocating non-paid work, but what I'm trying to say is look when you don't when people don't know, companies don't know what you can deliver you might want to give your skill set as a trial to the companies and then say, look, if you like what I've done and supported you can we work on an internship and then convert to a job etc?You don't have to go in with the mindset that I need to get 40 grand, If you going to go with that mindset you're going to have lesser number of roles but if you can prove that you're worth 40 grand it's going to be much easier for you to convince them."

    2 min
  3. What would you tell your 21 year old self? (Bonus clip from S3E3)

    JAN 21 ·  BONUS

    What would you tell your 21 year old self? (Bonus clip from S3E3)

    In episode 3 of season 3 Siobhan and Konstantina chat with guest Dhruv Khrisnaraj the Director & Co-Founder at Student Circus a job search platform for international students. ⁠Find out more on the Warwick University Careers pages for International Students⁠⁠The full video podcast is available on YouTube⁠⁠International Graduate Success with Dhruv Khrisnaraj SpotifyTranscript: "Siobhan Qadir: I mean, we could talk to you all day. But I just want to ask you one last question. Dhruv Khrisnaraj: Sure. Siobhan: What would you tell your 21...24 year old self? What advice would you give?Dhruv: Okay, so the first thing I would give is start early way earlier, so right from the time you landed. I’m guilty as charged for the first three, four months I was so enamored by the beauty that the UK education system living in the UK and everything else around you gives, that, you know, you're totally defocused and by the time you start focusing, it's too late.So start early. The second advice that I would for sure give is make the most of the career services and the resources. I am telling you now, after working with universities across the UK, with so many of them, I know how much blood, sweat, and tears the careers consultants like yourselves put to support students and I it just breaks my heart to see that when I'm talking to students, the first thing they come and do is they complain about not being helped and when you ask them why and you ask them if they visited the career services, most of them say yes or no and they say yes, but I know about them I didn’t visit them I didn't take their support or it wasn't enough and stuff like that. And when you start probing them, you realize that they've not even attended any sessions, they're not done much.So again, you know, make the most of all the resources I always kind of make it a joke in my presentations to go and say, you know, it's free you've already paid for it, so make the most of itbecause a lot of international students, unfortunately, are being targeted by a lot of scammers around and saying you know what, pay us and we will give you jobs and visas.You don't need to pay anyone in the uk for jobs and visas and I know, companies trying and going and saying pay us a couple of quid a month to access jobs you don’t need to pay anyone your university is giving you access to all of that stuff It's all free, all that you need to do is spend less time on Instagram and more time on LinkedIn, and more time on your job search.And you should be fine."

    2 min
  4. Should international students apply to SMEs? (Bonus clip from S3E3)

    JAN 20 ·  BONUS

    Should international students apply to SMEs? (Bonus clip from S3E3)

    In episode 3 of season 3 Siobhan and Konstantina chat with guest Dhruv Khrisnaraj the Director & Co-Founder at Student Circus a job search platform for international students. Find out more on the Warwick University Careers pages for International StudentsThe full video podcast is available on YouTubeInternational Graduate Success with Dhruv Khrisnaraj SpotifyTranscript: "Siobhan Qadir: So would you recommend contacting sort of smaller businesses? Because I think when I talk with international students... Dhruv Khrisnaraj: absolutelySiobhan: I want the big name and you go but there’s the flexibility of a smaller company.Dhruv: absolutelySiobhan: the chance to do more.Dhruv: so I always follow a 3 to 1 methodology. It's three applications for start-ups, two applications for mid mid-level companies, and one application for a large company.And the reason why I follow that is the large company applications are so much longer compared to a mid-level company in a small scale.So the amount of time it takes to apply for a start-up for three applications is equal to the amount of time it takes to apply for two companies to mid-sized companies and one large scale company.So as an international student, do your own research.Make a list of small scale maybe medium scale and large scale companies and follow the 3 to 1 approach.That way you’re spreading your wings and you're seeing what works."

    1 min
  5. What happens on the day of an assessment centre? (Bonus clip from S3E4)

    JAN 15 ·  BONUS

    What happens on the day of an assessment centre? (Bonus clip from S3E4)

    An Introduction to Assessment Centres (S3E4) full episode SpotifyAn Introduction to Assessment Centres (S3E4) full episode YouTube Assessment Centres playlist Interviews and Assessment Centres courseTranscript: "Konstantina Dee: So, can you tell me what happens on the day of an assessment centre? Siobhan Qadir: So, this can vary depending on the organisation because they will get their assessment centres created for them by professional agencies. Usually, you will have an icebreaker, and this is to introduce you and to get that team dynamic going and also to see your personality. Then you will have maybe an e-tray exercise. You might do a personal presentation and that could be just with flip charts and pens or it could be you've been asked to do something using PowerPoint. There is going to be a group exercise of some kind. Now it depends on the area you're going into. This could be everything from a group discussion to a case study to a discussion where extra information is introduced over a period of time and you've got to come to a shared consensus on what you're going to do."

    1 min
  6. LinkedIn Groups: How do you feel your comment is valid (Bonus clip from S2E4)

    JAN 14 ·  BONUS

    LinkedIn Groups: How do you feel your comment is valid (Bonus clip from S2E4)

    Full episode: LinkedIn Groups Season 2 Episode 4 SpotifyFull episode: LinkedIn Groups Season 2 Episode 4 YouTube Transcript: "Konstantina: How do you feel that your comment is valid? Siobhan: If you believe it, if you have factually checked it, I think it's valid. I follow a podcast where there is a, what is the greatest song of all time? Now, my perception of what is the greatest song of all time is not the same as yours. Konstantina: I'm sure it is. Siobhan: But move away from that. Talk about, well, actually, this is really important to me. This is what I really enjoy and reframe it in that way. So, you know, to me, this is the greatest song. To me, this point I think is valid, but I would like to hear what other people think about it. Konstantina: But I think you also need to evidence why it is valid for you. So, you need to provide some context, some explanation, why do you believe and then it will be more likely other people will relate with your comment and engage in the conversation. Siobhan: Some will disagree and that's fine, but as long as they explain why they disagree, and I think that's an art we've lost with social media, is that for a lot of people, no, you're wrong, you're an idiot. No, I disagree with you because I think this, and this, but I see the point you're making here and I respect it, but I don't quite see it as being valid for me. That's a great interchange."

    1 min
  7. At Assessment Centres you're always being assessed (Bonus clip from S3E4)

    SEASON 3 TRAILER

    At Assessment Centres you're always being assessed (Bonus clip from S3E4)

    At Assessment Centres you're always being assessed (YouTube version with subtitles)An introduction to Assessment Centres (S3E4)Assessment Centres YouTube playlistInterviews and Assessment Centres course YouTubeTranscript: "Siobhan Qadir: One thing I always tell everybody, and there is a video that you can watch on our YouTube channel, you're always on. You're always being assessed. You're always, your behaviour is always being considered. Never let your guard down. Always be friendly. From the moment you arrive, be polite to everybody and be friendly and engaging with everybody. It's going to be tiring, but it's worth you doing it. Because if there is such a narrow margin between you and someone else, and you have been on your phone during the lunch break, and not interacting with other people, well, how are you going to behave in their organization if you weren't polite to the receptionist? Receptionist, they talk to the managers and they will let you know. So... What I would say to people is from the moment you arrive, be the best you that you can. Don't complain. Don't be on your phone all the time. Talk to the other candidates. What you often will find is you're not going for the same position. You will often be at an assessment centre with someone who is an engineer, someone's doing the HR stream. Find out about them. I do know one graduate who actually met his fiancé at an assessment centre, yeah. (laughs) Konstantina Dee: (laughs) That's the most romantic story ever. I could never imagine that. Siobhan: Well, they just got chatting and she got through, he didn't, but they kept in touch. Yeah. So yeah, it does happen. I'm not, I'm not saying that's the way to meet people. (Laughing) Konstantina: It could happen. And you're right. And even I know someone who actually failed the assessment and at the end, when he was walked to their car, this person just patted the manager on the shoulders like, oh, good chat. We had a good chat mate or something like along these lines. And I'm afraid that was the end of the story. You're right. From the moment you entered the building, from the reception staff until you get in your car outside, just be your best self."

    2 min
  8. An introduction to Assessment Centres (The Careers Chat S3E4)

    12/02/2025

    An introduction to Assessment Centres (The Careers Chat S3E4)

    The full episode with subtitles/transcript is available on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBcZACnF_ZQ Assessment Centres playlist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-OkTPBH-4Xw&list=PLC5ZVOnetS_ws0uPT8im1CBrSwrT7SjfeInterviews and Assessment Centres course: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1CRudrzspk&list=PLC5ZVOnetS_xhYntOMgkbAU6RM3V7pdVM In this episode Siobhan and Konstantina talk Assessment Centres providing an introduction to what to expect should you take part in one and tips for a successful day. "Welcome to The Careers Chat and today we're talking all about Assessment Centres and yeah the topic that currently a lot of people are facing and something that this is basically I think we'll use this episode as an introduction to what assessment centres are. Okay. So, we'll mainly talk about what these are, why employers run assessment centres and what to expect and how to prepare..."

    14 min
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About

A UK-focused careers podcast for international students and alumni, but also relevant for undergraduate UK-students. Hosted by Siobhan Qadir (Senior Careers Consultant) and Konstantina Dee (Alumni Careers Manager). Queries, question or ideas contact us at the thecareerschat@outlook.com. Episodes are also available on our YouTube channel www.youtube.com/@TheCareersChat/ with Subtitles & Transcripts. The views expressed here are solely those of the individuals featured. The University of Warwick takes no responsibility for the topicality, correctness, completeness or quality of those views.

Information

  • Creator
    The Careers Chat
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    34
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © The Careers Chat
  • Show Website
    The Careers Chat