Outreach Team Case Studies

Outreach Team 2024/25

Our 2024/25 Outreach Team give their insights into what they enjoyed about the role.

Ella, Psychology BSc

Current role: Access Manager (University of Sheffield)
Outreach Team 2015-16

What did you find were the main benefits of the role?

"The role grew my confidence massively - the independence of travelling and managing school events, combined with having such a supportive team of people around me helped me in such a profound way. The role opened up a whole world of work to me that I had never considered before and sparked my passion for widening access to HE for underrepresented groups."

Any tips for future applicants?

"My top tips for future applicants would be - stay organised and be a team player! It can get super busy at times with lots of different events on across the year so make sure you are organised with emails and keeping your diary up to date! The Ambassador team is an amazing one to be a part of and will be there to support you throughout - allow this to happen, and give your support back in return."

Any further comments?

"The training we received as a group really helped us to bond as a team, and helped me discover more about myself as an individual and how I like to work. I will always be incredibly grateful and proud that the Graduate Ambassador role was my first job from university."

Ellice, Combined Honours (History and Business) BA

Current role: Primary School Teacher (Primary School in Chiang Mai, Thailand)
Outreach Team 2018-19

What did you find were the main benefits of the role?

"I believe the main benefits of this role were how supportive it was, especially as I had just finished my degree and was transitioning straight out of university. It provided me with many opportunities and helped me identify a career path that I am interested in pursuing."

Any tips for future applicants?

"I would suggest asking as many questions as you like, as everyone is incredibly supportive - both within your own team and across different teams within the university. It’s a great place to work, so I would definitely encourage you to go for it."

James, Psychology and Biology (Joint Honours) BSc

Current position: PhD Student (University of Leeds)
Outreach Team 2021-22

What did you find were the main benefits of the role?

"Great team, flexible hours, and chance to travel around. It helped to develop my presenting ability considerably."

Any tips for future applicants?

"Treat the interview like it’s a conversation about a topic you enjoy!"

Jess, English Language BA

Current role: Head of University Partnerships (Unifrog)
Outreach Team 2016-17

What did you find were the main benefits of the role?

"The role gave me the opportunity to build confidence in presenting, often speaking to large and varied audiences, and helped me develop strong skills in event organisation and delivery. It also allowed me to explore and confirm my passion for supporting students in their progression to university and beyond.

Any tips for future applicants?

"I’d say: take every opportunity that comes your way.

You’re very well supported, the team is genuinely lovely, and the role is both fun and rewarding. That said, it’s worth being prepared for time away from home, being on the road, and presenting to lots of different audiences - from small groups to large lecture theatres!"

Liv, Law LLB

Current role: Trainee Solicitor (Burnetts Solicitors LLP)
Outreach Team 2022-23

What did you find were the main benefits of the role?

• Built strong transferable skills, including communication, presentation, organisation and teamwork
• Fun, varied role - no two days were the same, with opportunities to visit many different places and cities.
• A great stepping stone from university into full-time employment
• Worked with a wide range of people and made lasting friendships
• Cliché but true: making a genuine difference to young people and their future options

What do you wish you had known before starting the role?

"One of the best things about the role is the variety but just be aware that it isn’t a typical 9–5 office job."

Any tips for future applicants?

"The year will fly by, so make the most of every opportunity to build your skills and open doors to future roles. It’s a valuable grad role regardless of your long-term career plans - my current job isn’t related to outreach, but I still use the skills and experience I gained in the role."

Louise, Marketing and Management BSc

Current role: B2B Marketing Manager (Goodnotes)
Outreach Team 2019-20

What did you find were the main benefits of the role?

"Delivering sessions to large and varied audiences, including students, parents and teachers, significantly improved my confidence and ability to communicate clearly and engagingly. These skills have been invaluable in the workplace, particularly for presentations, stakeholder updates and collaborative discussions.

The role also strengthened my storytelling and facilitation skills. I learned how to take complex or less immediately engaging topics and turn them into interactive, memorable sessions while still delivering key messages. This has directly influenced how I now design workshops and presentations, making them more engaging and impactful.

In addition, I gained valuable exposure to wider marketing and communications projects, working with different teams on content creation, writing, design and video. This provided hands on experience across departments and helped me build a strong portfolio to draw on in future roles and interviews.

Finally, the opportunity to travel across the UK and Northern Ireland, visit a wide range of schools and build a strong professional network was hugely rewarding. The connections made through the role continue to be valuable both personally and professionally."

Any tips for future applicants?

"I wish I had fully realised how many opportunities there are beyond the day to day ambassador role. One of my biggest tips for future applicants is to actively connect with different departments across the university. Early in your career, it is rare to have access to such a large and supportive organisation. Teams are usually very open to helping, offering insight or letting you shadow during quieter periods. If you are interested in areas like marketing, finance, student recruitment or communications, make the most of that access. Getting involved in wider projects can significantly boost your experience, confidence and future career prospects.

Matthew, Media, Communications and Culture BA

Current role: Programme Talent Officer (Teach First)
Outreach Team 2012-13

What did you find were the main benefits of the role?

"The confidence I gain from this role set be up for all other roles - confidence to present to large audiences, manage my own workload, organise events, lead workshops - without this experience I would not have went on to any of of subsequent roles!"

Any tips for future applicants?

"Although not essential, I would recommend practicing speaking to large audiences. Also if you haven't driven in a while, get out in the car before you start! You'll be doing lots of driving!"

Miles, Business Management BA

Current role: Technical Data Governance Manager (Maples Group)
Outreach Team 2015-16

What did you find were the main benefits of the role?

"I found the role to be challenging, rewarding and, above all, genuinely fun. As a first position out of university, it provided the perfect ideal bridge between study and work, giving me the confidence to navigate the workplace with assurance and purpose.

The pace and variety kept me engaged, and the learning curve was steep in the best possible way, stretching my capabilities while offering the right level of support and feedback. It significantly sharpened my organisational skills: balancing competing priorities, managing deadlines and structuring complex tasks became second nature.

I also had ample scope to be creative, from designing new lessons and refining processes - freedom that encouraged lateral thinking and made the work highly energising. Public speaking and presentation skills were another highlight.

I regularly presented to both peers and external audiences, experiences that boosted my confidence and strengthened my ability to tailor messages to different audiences."

Any tips for future applicants?

"Prioritising is a daily habit, not a one‑off plan; time‑blocking and simple checklists beat trying to multitask everything. Creativity comes from constraints and data as much as inspiration. It’s totally fine to ask ‘silly’ questions early and confidence comes from doing—start, iterate, improve."

Rachel, Media, Communication and Cultural Studies BA

Current role: Engagement and Place Co-ordinator (Newcastle University)
Outreach Team 2018-19

What did you find were the main benefits of the role?

"It was great for widening my experience and boosting my confidence working with people. I developed lots of skills, in particular communication, problem solving and presentation."

Any tips for future applicants?

"I wish I'd known about some of the situations I'd be in, but mostly that it would push me in a positive way. I'd say to be prepared for different situations, be adaptable and think on your feet. I always value comfort and routine, but it made me more confident in the unknown."

Sam, Computer Science BSc

Outreach Team 2016-17
Current position:  Operations Manager (Duke of Edinburgh's Award)

What did you find were the main benefits of the role?

"One of the most rewarding aspects of the role was the opportunity to travel across the UK, sharing insights on a subject I am deeply passionate about. It strengthened my confidence in addressing large audiences of young people, inspiring them to think ambitiously about their future - a skill that has proven invaluable in every role I’ve held since."

Any tips for future applicants?

"Practice your presentation skills, and learn the content over and over again so you always have something to talk about - especially when the technology doesn't work! Also, keep a handy pack of snacks in your bag - you never know where you'll get stuck!"

Any further comments?

"I look back on my time as a GA with fond memories :)"

Sarah, Maths and Statistics BSc

Current role: Widening Participation Assistant (Teesside University)
Outreach Team 2024-25

What did you find were the main benefits of the role?

"Made me a confident presenter and be able to adapt quickly when things go wrong."

Any tips for future applicants?

"It’s a very fun year but make sure to balance your time well!"

William, Biology MBiol

Current role: Biodiversity Net Gain Consultant (Urban Green)
Outreach Team 2023-24

What did you find were the main benefits of the role?

"I adored this role!

The main benefit was the people. I worked with such an incredible team as well as the wider recruitment teams in central, SAgE, HaSS and FMS. In fact, we are mostly all still in touch showing that you can make friends through the role also. Another benefit was definitely the travel, being able to see areas of the UK that I had never seen before. I'd never been to NI and I went 3 times over the year. Also the flexibility the job allowed, and how the managers emphasised the importance of taking hours back after long travel, prioritising work-life balance and recovery.

The main benefit I found though was how this job allowed me a great platform for my future career. Whatever sector you end up in, this job gives invaluable experience which is recognised across any sector and it is always impressive to say you spoke to 200+ people in an interview!"

What do you wish you had known before starting the role?

"I definitely underestimated the amount of overnight travel. Luckily, I really liked this aspect but can understand how the travel may not be for everyone. So just be aware and prepared to spend time away from home - but you get to explore new places so really this is a bonus."