Enterprising Careers

Hands holding grain

Interested in making your passion more than your pastime? Want to work, but on your own terms? Keen to build a career around your beliefs, as well as your needs? 

The enterprise provision of the Careers & Employability Service is here to provide guidance, support and opportunities for students and graduates interested in freelancing and entrepreneurship.

We offer:

  • one-to-one triaging to help you find the right resources
  • a diverse programme of events encouraging entrepreneurship
  • initiatives for you to get your ideas out into the world

See below for more information.

Contact us here: enterprise@aber.ac.uk 

One-to-one support

  • The Enterprise team can offer one-to-one support via email, on Teams or in-person to provide you with useful next steps and key contacts going forward
  • If you are under 25, we can put you in contact with Big Ideas Wales, a Welsh Government initiative that supports young entrepreneurs
  • No matter your age, we can facilitate your involvement in the Business Wales Mentoring Programme 

Events programmes

 

Financing your Business or Social Enterprise

Come and find out about different funding streams for your Freelance career, Business or Social Enterprise–with information from Development Bank Wales, Big Ideas Wales, Purple shoots and The King's Trust.

Open to students/staff & others.

When: 12:10-13:00

Wednesday 18th March

Where: on-line

 

Research your Market & Target Audience

Come and learn how to effectively research your market, for your business or social enterprise - with Big Ideas Wales Role Model and Business Adviser. 

Open to students/staff & others.

When: 12:10-13:00

Wednesday 25th March

Where: on-line

 

Ideas Generation/Create your own job

This webinar with Katie Hayward from Felin Honey bees

This workshop is a must for you if want to start a business or social enterprise but don’t yet have that 'Great Idea'. 

Open to students/staff & others.

When: 12:10-13:00

Wednesday 29th April

Where: on-line

 

Work for Yourself Week - 3-5th June

Three days of information & interactive workshops preparing you for your Freelance career/self-employment/business or social enterprise Startup.

Day 1 - June 3rd

1.00-2.00pm - Rhian Hayward - AberInnovation Chief Executive Officer, Keynote speaker, introducing three days of information & interactive workshops preparing you for your Freelance career/self-employment/business or social enterprise Startup. A dynamic kick-off exploring how research sparks real-world enterprise and bold new ventures.

2.00-3.00pm - Enterprise Competition Panel Q&A - A quick-fire guide to turning your ideas into an award‑ready business, social enterprise or freelance initiative.

3.30-4.30 - Research to Impact Panel - Join Matt Jarvis Matt Jarvis  Dr Lucy Thompson Alice Vernon Alice Vernon and Helen Whiteland The Big Science Project talk about their experiences. An honest look at how to turn your academic expertise into paid, purposeful freelance work.

Day 2 - June 4th 

10.00-11.00 - 'Envisioning Enterprise' - A creative session to help you map out what your future business could be, and how to make it a reality.  With speakers from:  CWMPAS  Business Wales/Big Ideas Wales and AberInstruments 

11.00-12.00 - 'Building a Brand & Digital Marketing' with Francesa Farrow Lunax digital and Julia Forster

1.00-2.00 - 'Sustainability & Ethics' - A thoughtful conversation on creating a business that does good as well as performs well, with Porthi Aber and Centre of Alternative Technology

2.30-3.30 - 'Write your business plan' - A step-by-step walkthrough showing how to turn loose ideas into a clear, convincing business plan - with Big Ideas Wales business adviser.

1:1 business mentoring drop-in sessions, available all afternoon.

 Day 3 - June 5th 

10.00-11.00 - 'TAX & Intellectual Property' - A jargon-free overview, demystifying the essentials every new business needs to stay protected and compliant. 

11.00-12.00 'Crafting a pitch' - A hands-on workshop to sharpen your message and pitch your idea with confidence - with Alex Hubbard.

12.00-1.00 - 'Chatting with a founder' John Dutton.  A candid conversation with someone who’s been there, built that, and has invaluable insights to share.

1.00-2.00 - Lunch & Networking - A welcoming space to make meaningful connections and explore collaboration opportunities. Room available for networking to 5pm. 

 

email: enterprise@aber.ac.uk

Competitions and initiatives

2026 Pan Wales Hackathon, 04/03/26, 2pm to 7pm, InterPol Main hall

A day-long event where teams of students come up with an idea to tackle a complex global problem, featuring mentoring and prizes - sign up and find out more details here: enterprise@aber.ac.uk 

Annual student enterprise awards

Each summer, the university offers a series of awards for students looking to become self-employed and start their own businesses. Stay tuned for more details, soon!

 

 

 

Resources