Student Ambassador
Caroline Tighe, 3rd year English Literature
Why I got involved
The Student Ambassador Programme appealed to me due to the flexible working hours and ability to choose when I want to work around my degree and social life. I hope to become a teacher when I graduate so gaining experience working with high school students is a valuable addition to my CV.
Main roles and activities
My main roles are representing the University at recruitment and educational events. We help to recruit future students by attending educational events and motivating pupils to continue on to university. I have given campus and accommodation tours, visited schools to give talks and presentations, been involved with on campus events such as ACE (Aiming for a College Education ) and student shadowing, and represented the University at open days, higher education fairs and parent and carer events.
Most enjoyable aspect
I have really enjoyed working with the young people and helping them to make a more informed decision about their future options. I have really enjoyed making new friends and meeting new people that I otherwise wouldn’t have met whilst at University. My favourite activities whilst taking part in this scheme have been being involved with the KS4 and the Bitesize University summer school.
Most rewarding aspect
Being an ambassador allows you to advise and inspire pupils to aspire to study at university. I personally find it very rewarding to have the opportunity to persuade pupils who are adamant they will never go on to university to reconsider their future education and rethink whether a degree is for them.
Fitting it around my degree
The job isn’t like normal part-time jobs. The hours are really flexible with the staff understanding that your degree comes first. I have managed to fit the hours around my studies by only working when it suits me, avoiding taking on additional work when deadlines are close, or near to examinations.
How I've benefited
The Programme is a valuable addition to my CV which should really help me stand out from other graduates when I enter the job market. It has helped me develop many of my existing skills and gain new skills which will make me more employable as a graduate.
Find how you could become a student ambassador.
