Community Advice and Guidance

Community Advice and Guidance roles focus on supporting individuals and groups to understand their rights, access services, and make informed decisions that improve their lives. Practitioners in this field often work directly with individuals, offering tailored support and connecting them to relevant opportunities, resources, or entitlements. The work is underpinned by a commitment to fairness, inclusion, and empowerment, and often involves addressing barriers faced by marginalised or disadvantaged groups.

Opportunities span a range of contexts, from careers and employment services to housing and welfare advice, youth programmes, and community engagement projects. While some positions are generalist and open to those starting out, others require specialist knowledge, professional qualifications, or experience in a particular client group or service area. The ability to listen, communicate complex information clearly, and work sensitively with people from diverse backgrounds is essential.

Working in Community Advice and Guidance offers the chance to make a tangible impact on people’s lives, whether that’s helping someone secure housing, guiding them into a fulfilling career, or enabling young people to achieve their goals. The work can be challenging, particularly when dealing with complex needs or systemic barriers, but it is also deeply rewarding. Progression opportunities include moving into management, policy, training, or specialist advisory positions, and the sector values practitioners who combine empathy and advocacy with practical problem-solving skills.

Advice, Information and Rights

Roles in this area aim to ensure individuals understand their rights and can navigate systems such as housing, benefits, consumer protection, immigration, or health and social care. Advisers help people understand their options, explain complex procedures, and often advocate on their behalf to resolve issues or secure entitlements.

Work may take place in face-to-face settings, through helplines, or via online platforms. Some advisers work in multi-agency hubs, where clients can access several services in one place, while others deliver outreach in community venues. In certain areas, such as legal advice, practitioners may require accredited training or membership of a professional body.

Employers range from national networks like Citizens Advice or Shelter, to specialist charities, local authority services, and community law centres. Many roles require balancing individual casework with keeping up to date on policy changes and legal frameworks. Visit Prospects to learn more about being an Advice Worker

Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG)

CEIAG is about more than matching people to jobs or checking CVs, it’s about empowering clients to explore their values, interests, and aspirations, and make informed decisions about their future learning and work. Practitioners in this field help individuals reflect on who they are, identify the opportunities open to them, and develop the skills and confidence to navigate a lifetime of career choices.

Support can take many forms, including structured careers education programmes, one-to-one guidance, group workshops, employer engagement activities, events and the use of digital tools. The role is both practical and aspirational: advisers might help with applications and interview skills, but they also help people see possibilities they may not have considered and overcome barriers that limit their options. A strong knowledge of labour market trends, education pathways, and employability skills is essential, as is the ability to listen, inspire and motivate.

CEIAG professionals work with individuals at every stage of life:

In schools and colleges, careers advisers support students to explore subjects and post-16 or post-18 options, delivering careers education programmes in line with statutory guidance and benchmarks. Work also often involves significant safeguarding, support for those with special educational needs and disabilities, and parent/carer engagement. See the Prospects job profile for Careers Adviser.
In higher education, careers consultants and advisers support undergraduates, postgraduates, and alumni, preparing them for life and work after university. Alongside one-to-one guidance and group workshops, their work can include designing and teaching credit-bearing modules, coordinating assessed placements and work-integrated learning, running skills development programmes, and collaborating with academic departments to embed employability within the curriculum. See Prospects job profile for Higher Education Careers Adviser.
Careers professionals also support adults who want help and support, offering coaching, skills assessment, and guidance to help them explore new opportunities, make decisions and achieve their potential. See the Prospects job profile for Life Coach.

Key employers include schools and colleges, universities, local authority services, charities focused on employability and social mobility, and training providers delivering private or government-funded careers support. Many professional guidance roles require qualifications such as the Level 6 Diploma in Career Guidance and Development, alongside a commitment to ongoing professional learning to keep pace with changes in work, education, and the economy. Higher education teaching credentials (e.g. Advance HE Fellowship) are also advantageous in a university context.

Youth and Community Practice

Youth and community practitioners support young people and community members to develop personally, socially, and educationally. The work can involve running structured programmes, such as mentoring, volunteering, skills development, or cultural activities, or providing informal support to help people address challenges and build confidence.

Roles often combine one-to-one support with group work, community engagement, and partnership working with schools, local authorities, health providers, and voluntary organisations. Practitioners need to build trust, respond to diverse needs, and create inclusive spaces where participants feel valued and heard.

Employers include youth services, charities, local authorities, housing associations, community interest companies, and faith-based organisations. Many practitioners hold qualifications in youth work, community development, or social work, though there are also entry points through volunteering and project-based roles.

Visit Prospects to learn more about relevant roles such as Youth Worker, Community Development Officer, and Community Education Officer.

If you are interested in these roles you might also be curious to read about:

Skills employers look for

Every employer is different so there are no definitive lists here. These are meant as a guide and should be considered in addition to fully exploring role requirements outlined in person specification, job description and advert for each role you consider applying for.

Active listening and empathy – understanding clients’ needs and circumstances without judgement.
Advocacy and negotiation – representing clients’ interests and supporting them to secure their rights or entitlements.
Clear communication – explaining complex information in an accessible way, both in writing and verbally.
Cultural awareness and inclusion – working sensitively with people from different cultures and communities, and removing barriers to access.
Digital competence – using online tools, virtual platforms, databases, and digital resources in service delivery.
Facilitation and group work skills – designing and leading workshops, training sessions, or community activities.
Interpersonal skills – building trust and rapport with people from diverse backgrounds.
Knowledge of relevant systems and legislation – staying up to date on policy changes, labour market trends, education and training pathways, or specialist advice areas.
Organisational skills – managing caseloads, projects, or events effectively, often to tight deadlines.
Partnership and networking skills – working with employers, community organisations, schools, and other agencies to deliver services and events.
Problem-solving and analytical thinking – assessing situations, identifying options, and finding practical solutions.
Resilience and emotional maturity – managing challenging situations and maintaining professional boundaries.

In order to develop these skills, remember Career Zone also offers a range of Personal and Professional Development sessions which are available to book on Handshake and run at least once per term.  Please also read through the sections about Gaining Experience and Further Study and Professional Development to discover how you can develop your skills through experience and by gaining further knowledge or qualifications.   

Gaining Experience

All experiences ranging from volunteering, active involvement in clubs/societies can help you to build relevant and transferable skills. You may wish to consider involvement in:

Societies

Getting involved in societies can help you develop leadership, event organisation, and interpersonal skills, as well as experience of working with diverse communities. Examples might include societies focused on volunteering, advocacy, social justice, education, youth engagement, or wellbeing. Relevant societies can be found on the Exeter campuses Exeter Students’ Guild pages and the Cornwall campuses: Falmouth & Exeter Students’ Union pages.

Volunteering

Volunteering can provide valuable experience of working with different communities and understanding the issues they face. Look for opportunities in advice centres, schools, youth organisations, community groups, or with charities focused on housing, welfare, or social justice. Roles might include mentoring, peer support, event organising, or assisting with information and signposting services.

A well-known example is Citizens Advice, a national network of local offices offering free, independent, and confidential advice on issues such as benefits, housing, employment, and consumer rights. Volunteering with Citizens Advice can help you develop skills in client interviewing, information provision, and case recording, while gaining direct insight into the advice sector.

Volunteering opportunities may also be advertised through the Students’ Guild, volunteering platforms such as Do It, or local volunteering centres

University of Exeter Employability Schemes

Participating in University of Exeter employability programmes can help you develop skills valued in the sector:

Career Zone Internship schemes: Internships can be extremely useful, so try and get relevant vacation work or placements.
Professional Pathways: a suite of sector specific training courses and paid week-long internships. See ‘Pathways to Charity and Development’.
Exeter Award :The Exeter Award will help you stand out from the crowd and give you the confidence to shout about the experiences you've had at university.
The Global Leaders Experience is a unique opportunity to develop your intercultural skills as part of a short, outbound mobility experience.

Speculative applications and where to find opportunities

Undertaking relevant work experience will also allow you to develop new skills and gain a valuable insight into the sector. As jobs and opportunities are not always advertised, it can be useful to develop your networking skills and apply speculatively. Before visiting the sites below you may find it useful to read our Researching employers page

Finding part time work

Many students work part-time during their studies, and these roles can help you build transferable skills valued in this sector. Jobs in hospitality, retail, or customer service can develop your communication, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities. Opportunities in community centres, advice services, or call/contact centres can provide valuable experience in information provision, client support, and handling enquiries from a diverse range of people. In education settings, roles such as student ambassador, mentor, peer supporter, student services assistant, or events helper at careers fairs and employer activities offer relevant skills development.

Search for part-time work here:

Handshake (filter ‘part time’ and by your location). You may want to search for SCP (Student Campus Partnership) or SBP (Student Business Partnership) roles – to find out more, please click on the links. 
General job sites such as LinkedIn jobs, Find a Job or  Indeed  (filter on “part-time” and “Exeter”).
Identify and visit local businesses in your area with your CV to ask about part-time jobs.
Attend Careers and Opportunities Fairs at Streatham or Penryn Campuses.

Finding advertised graduate roles, placements and internships

For general information about finding graduate opportunities, please visit our Graduate Jobs page. 

AGCAS Jobs – higher education careers and employability service roles.
CDI – Careers in Careers – vacancies in careers guidance across all sectors.
CharityJob – UK’s largest site for charity and voluntary sector jobs, with many advice, guidance, and outreach roles.
Children & Young People Now Jobs – youth work, family support, and children’s services roles.
Citizens Advice – roles within the Citizens Advice network.
Civil Service Jobs – public sector roles, including work in education, employment, and community services.
Inside Housing Jobs – housing association and local authority housing roles.
Jobs.ac.uk – HE careers posts plus wider university vacancies.
JobsGoPublic – public sector and not-for-profit vacancies, including community services.
LG Jobs – jobs in local government, often including community engagement, housing, and welfare advice.
Third Sector Jobs – charity and voluntary sector positions, including advice and outreach work.
Times Higher Education Jobs – academic and professional services roles in universities.

Graduate schemes and internships

Some employers, particularly in the public and charity sectors, offer graduate schemes or structured internships that can include advice, guidance, and community-focused experience. Examples include:

Browse our Handshake internship collection for current internships opportunities.
Charity and NGO programmes – some larger charities (e.g. Shelter, British Red Cross) and non-profits offer structured graduate entry roles in advice, outreach, or community development.
Civil Service Fast Stream – offers a range of streams that may include policy, social justice, and public service delivery linked to helping communities.
Future Leaders & Innovators Graduate Scheme – the University of Exeter’s two-year Professional Services programme, developing leadership, project management, and service delivery skills, with potential experience in student-facing services.
Impact: The Local Government Graduate Programme – two-year programme offering placements across local authority services, which can involve housing, welfare, community engagement, or education projects.

Placements

If you are interested in finding out more about work placements, you can also access the Work Placements SharePoint via Single Sign-On. This resource covers all aspects of credit-bearing work experiences as part of your degree, including what a placement is, how to apply for them, and bespoke information for international students or those interested in working abroad. 

Milkround offers a range of temporary placement opportunities
Target Jobs advertises numerous placements
The Bright Network has a range of industrial placement opportunities advertised.

Further sources of support

If you are an international student, visit our international webpages for help finding opportunities both in the UK and globally.

To find opportunities outside the UK use GoinGlobal.

Visit our speculative applications page for advice on approaching organisations for work and you may find it useful to read our Researching employers page.

Further study and professional development

Some individuals decide to undertake further study to build their skills and knowledge of the sector and related occupations. Not all roles or employers will require this, so it is important to research entry requirements and employer preferences before committing to additional training or qualifications. Use the sites below to research your further study options.

Prospects – Postgraduate Study – Offers guidance on whether further study is right for you, how to choose a course, and what qualifications are needed for specific careers. Includes a searchable database of UK postgraduate courses.
FindAMasters – A comprehensive directory of taught and research-based master’s degrees in the UK and abroad. You can filter by subject area, university, and funding opportunities.
TARGETJobs – Postgraduate Study – Covers how to choose the right course, application timelines, and how further study fits into career planning—especially relevant to competitive industries like finance.
UCAS Postgraduate – The official postgraduate route via UCAS, offering application advice, timelines, and course information for UK-based master’s and PGCert/PGDip courses.

Advice

If you are considering postgraduate or doctoral level study before entering your chosen sector, please visit our Postgraduate Study page for more information about choosing further study.

Information and links from professional bodies

If you have studied a related degree, check if your course is accredited by one of the professional bodies. Being a member of a professional body is voluntary; however, it can be valuable for developing networks, continuing your professional development, and generally keeping up to date with what's happening in the sector. 

AdviceUK – the largest support network for free, independent advice centres in the UK. Provides training, resources, and advocacy for organisations delivering advice services.
AGCAS (Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services) – the professional association for higher education careers and employability professionals. Provides training, resources, research, and a jobs board for HE careers service roles.
Career Development Institute (CDI) – the UK’s professional body for career development practitioners, including careers advisers, career coaches, and career leaders. Offers professional registration, CPD opportunities, resources, sector updates, and the national jobs board Careers in Careers.
Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) – the professional body for housing professionals, offering membership, qualifications, and policy insight relevant to housing advice and support roles.
Citizens Advice – while not a professional body, this national network provides training, standards, and resources for advisers working in its bureaux and outreach services.
National Youth Agency (NYA) – the national body for youth work in England, setting professional standards, supporting training and qualifications, and promoting youth engagement.