Q&A with a Careers Adviser: Callum Buchanan
Callum brings a wealth of experience in law, theatre, and higher education to his role as a careers adviser. With a focus on creative careers, law, and business, finance & management, he helps students explore pathways in industries such as media, performance, legal practice, and consultancy. Callum is also the Careers Lead for Health, Disability & Neurodivergence support and Equality, Diversity & Inclusion.
All our careers advisers are experts—but what about the people behind the advice? Let’s get to know Callum a little better...
Q&A with Callum Buchanan:
What’s one piece of careers advice you wish you had followed sooner?
To give myself the freedom to explore new opportunities without overthinking the risk of failure. I stuck to what I thought was expected of me, rather than what genuinely interested me. Over time, I’ve learned that stepping outside your comfort zone - and not always going with the crowd - often leads to the most valuable and unexpected experiences. I also wish I’d been more open, sooner, about asking for help and talking to my employer about my mental health when I needed adjustments. Being honest about what I needed made it possible for me to do my best work and feel like myself in the process.
How do you stay motivated and celebrate your job?
Knowing that my work helps people build fulfilling careers is what keeps me going. I find it especially rewarding to support those breaking into the creative industries or navigating challenges around workplace inclusion, making sure they get the support they need to thrive. Being even a small part of someone’s career journey is a real privilege. Seeing people grow in confidence, pursue what matters to them, and feel proud of who they are is the most meaningful motivation I could ask for. I also keep a folder of emails from students telling me they’ve landed a job. Every so often I’ll dip into it, and it’s a lovely reminder of why I do what I do.
What’s your one top tip for career planning?
Think of career planning as a creative process - it’s iterative, exploratory, and constantly evolving. This is especially true for creative industries, where there’s rarely one set pathway. Experiment with internships, side projects, or collaborations, and treat each experience as an opportunity to learn. Even setbacks can help shape your understanding of what you want from your career.
Which is the most rewarding part of your role?
It’s hearing people’s stories. When someone tells me they’ve landed their first role that they really wanted or they’ve overcome a personal barrier to pursue a career they’re passionate about, it’s incredibly fulfilling. The best moments are when people find not only clarity about their next steps but also the self-belief to take them.
What’s something you wish more people knew about the Careers Service?
What I love is that we support such a wide range of career journeys - not just the conventional ones. Whether you're considering freelancing opportunity in the creative space, thinking about how to find an inclusive workplace, or taking your first steps into a completely new field, we're here to help. The Careers Service is for everyone, no matter where you're starting from. So, I guess what I’m really saying is: you don’t need to have it all figured out to come and chat with us!
Are there any career myths which you would like to bust?
That there’s a single “right” career for everyone. The truth is that careers are fluid and ever-changing. What feels like the perfect fit now might evolve into something entirely different in a few years. Staying open to change, growth, and unexpected opportunities can make the journey much more rewarding. It’s more about the process than a fixed destination.
Do you see AI as a friend or foe?
This is such a relevant question right now, and the truth is, everyone has a slightly different take. AI is becoming a bigger part of our lives, and it’s not going anywhere - so it’s important we get comfortable with how to use it. It can absolutely be a useful tool if used well, like helping you sketch out a rough structure for a cover letter. But it can also work against you if you rely on it too much, especially if you end up submitting something that doesn’t sound like you and comes across as generic.
It’s also worth remembering that every industry, and even individual employers, approach AI differently. Some law firms are already using it to help draft documents, while some creative employers are more wary of it, especially where it might replace or dilute original ideas. That’s why we need to use AI with care - as a support to human creativity and output, not a replacement for it.
My advice is to do your research, not just on your sector, but on the specific employer you’re applying to. Some will be open to it, even encouraging, while others will take a much firmer stance against it. Bottomline: Research, research, research and don't become over reliant on it in the careers space.
What do you do to recharge after a busy or stressful day?
I’m currently studying for a part-time PhD focused on careers and disability within graduate recruitment. While that might sound like extra work, I actually find that diving into research and reading linked to my thesis helps me switch off - it’s a different kind of focus that I really enjoy. Outside of that, creativity plays a big role in how I unwind. I might take in a play, explore one of Oxford’s beautiful colleges, or experiment with some music and singing of my own. On quieter days, I’ll head to the gym, get stuck into a good book, or take a walk along the river. These moments of calm and creativity help me reset and refocus.
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Our specialist careers advisers come from a variety of professional backgrounds, including teaching, banking, publishing, and law. All of them, including Callum Buchanan, are equipped to help you with any career-related issue you might have.
