On 4 April, three alumni gathered for an insightful panel discussion focusing on the fields of Business and Economics. The speakers were:
- Nandipha Mabusa (International Business 2021), Senior Operations Analyst at Goldman Sachs in London
- Sophie Coghlan (Management Sciences 2022), Product Manager at Publicis Sapient in London
- Sophie Cornish (International Business 2019), Category Planning Manager for Beauty at TESCO
During the panel, the group shared their journeys from university to their roles now. They stressed the importance of internships, passion, and university resources. Challenges like industry competition and rapid technological advancements such as artificial intelligence (AI) were also discussed, giving the pupils the opportunity to hear about its real-world impact on business.
There was also a STEM-related panel on 5 April, again supported by alumni. Our panellists were:
- Tali Olubor (Natural Sciences in 2021), Packaging Team Lead at Diageo
- Mariam Mohammed (Chemical Engineering 2022), Graduate Process Engineer at Atkins
The two panellists emphasised the support they received from the University in navigating challenges such as independence and securing placements. They stressed the significance of seeking help from lecturers and enjoying university life while focusing on personal growth.
In addition, there was an Inspiring Minds Social Sciences and Humanities session on 9 April. Panellists included:
- Rob Forster (Geography with Management 2018), Regional Sales Manager at Zscaler
- Victoria Sedlek (Politics with Economics 2020 and Msc Risk, Governance and International Management 2021), Senior Analyst at Delta Capital
- Louise Campbell (Politics and International Studies 2020), Group Junior Project Manager at Azumi Restaurant Group
In this session, the panellists discussed how their journey from university supported them in their careers. Rob started out at PwC in Belfast, focusing on anti-corruption, then switched to software. He developed skills to manage projects, which he says are similar to the short, intense projects in university. Victoria used to work in investment banking at Morgan Stanley but is now a consultant. She says her master's degree taught her skills such as working on projects with others and meeting deadlines. Louise manages projects for a restaurant group, even though she studied politics. She believes it's more important to study something you enjoy in university rather than something specific, because skills like time management and communication are useful in any job, and she developed those skills at university.
Following this, the University’s Inspiring Minds Sport session was held on 10 April. The panel consisted of three members:
- Rebecca Brooker (Sport and Exercise Psychology 2021, plus Msc Sport and Exercise Psychology 2022), Sports and Exercise Psychologist in training at º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ Sport
- Holly Heaton (Sport and Exercise Psychology 2022) Portfolio Manager - Loans at Sport England
- Owen Waters (Sport Science with Management 2020) Head of Brand and Partnerships at UNTHINK
The panellists talked about how to improve the chances of getting a job while at university. Owen said it's not just about getting a degree, but also about adding other skills and experiences to make yourself more attractive to employers. He mentioned that º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ offers lots of opportunities for this. Holly didn't do a placement year but started her own business and society instead, which gave her valuable skills. For her, these experiences were just as good as a placement. Becki talked about her time working in the NHS during her placement, which gave her a real insight into what it's like to work there.
All panels highlighted the value of university experiences in shaping careers and personal development.
We are grateful to all our alumni who contributed their expertise.
Find out more about our Inspiring Minds events. If you're keen on sharing your journey and insights in a future session, please get in touch.