# Career Lab: Foundation and first-year students

**Source**: https://student.sussex.ac.uk/careers/career-lab/foundation-and-first-year
**Parent**: https://student.sussex.ac.uk/careers/career-lab

Start exploring and developing your skills, and find out about the opportunities available for foundation and first-year students.

[#### Global Excellence Summer Programme

Eligible students can study at an international university and add a part-funded global dimension to your Sussex degree.](https://student.sussex.ac.uk/options/abroad/choices/summer-schools#GESP)

[#### Digital skills training

Join a fully-funded digital skills course to develop an essential toolkit of digital and creative skills.](https://student.sussex.ac.uk/careers/career-lab/digital-skills)

[#### Mentoring and networking

Connect with Sussex graduates to guide you through job hunting, applications, networking and industry insights.](https://www.sussex.ac.uk/alumni/get-involved/mentoring-and-networking)

## Insight visits

Insight visits allow you to spend a day with an employer, in the company of other students. You will gain an understanding of a company’s culture and values – and a chance to network. Students have previously visited the [Knepp Estate](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/university-of-sussex-careers-and-entrepreneurship_insight-visit-the-knepp-estate-activity-7206664894732009473-5k9e/), [Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club](https://www.instagram.com/p/CsETcn0NErA/?img_index=1) and [Gatwick Airport](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/university-of-sussex-careers-and-entrepreneurship_insight-visit-gatwick-airport-stem-centre-activity-7204081853496995841-xDWl/). Transport will be provided where required.

“It made me understand that there are various paths that you can take in your life and you’re not confined to only one career with your degree” – Insight visit participant.

**Applications are open for the Insight Visit to the Knepp Estate until Monday 20 April 2026:**

**The Knepp Estate**

The [Knepp Estate](https://knepp.co.uk/knepp-estate/) was once intensively farmed but is now devoted to a pioneering Rewilding Project. Expect to hear birdsong, see white stork nests, the long horn and red deer in the landscape, and get a sense of what it’s like to work at the forefront of nature recovery in the UK.

[APPLY HERE](https://careerhub.sussex.ac.uk/students/infopages/detail/205)

## Create your own experience

Want to explore starting a side hustle, developing a freelance career or launching a new business or social enterprise? We can support you with advice and guidance, funding opportunities and helpful connections. Take your first step by booking an [Entrepreneurship Exploration appointment](https://careerhub.sussex.ac.uk/students/appointments/app/?siteId=1).

Taking part in opportunities

You can only take part in one Digital Skills Bootcamp and one Accelerator during one financial year (1 April-31 March), if you have not already completed the course during your time at Sussex.

[See more from Career Lab](https://student.sussex.ac.uk/careers/career-lab)