Alumni have been passing on the secrets of their success to students at the Career Discovery Cafe.
The event, which took place in late April at the Reg Vardy Building, saw successful graduates take part in a speed mentoring session, in which they were given 10 minutes at a time to speak with different groups of students and recent graduates about their experiences in their careers and offer advice on a range of subjects.
The event provided a fantastic opportunity for students from the Faculty of Business and Law to make connections with professionals in their field and also allowed alumni to give back to the University.
Students were able to explore new and exciting career paths by speaking and listening to graduates from different fields of study to their own and to learn more about how to find a job in their chosen career following graduation.
University staff from the Careers and Employability Service, Graduate Internship Team and The Enterprise Place were also available on the evening to share their professional advice and the services the University offers to students.
At the end of the two and a half hour session, the participants left armed with new insights into a variety of different professions and a vastly expanded network of contacts.
The Super Alumni who took part found the event hugely rewarding, and added that passing on their knowledge of the world of work to students was a very positive experience.
BA Business graduate Jack Brayford, who now works as a Business Development Co-ordinator at Esh Group, said that the event was “thoroughly enjoyable” and added that he hoped students had gained as much from the event as he had.
He continued: “Hopefully sharing my experience of my time at University, on placement and transitioning to full-time employment will have resonated with the students to give them the confidence in their own progression. The University of Sunderland produces great talent and if I can assist in any way in helping to guide them in their future careers then it is worthwhile.”
Mark Ackers, a Sales Management graduate who is now Sales & Marketing Director at ELamb LTD, was similarly impressed with the event. He found that engaging with students helped him to gain new ideas.
Mark added: “It was great to engage with students, each with different backgrounds and goals - I enjoyed listening, challenging their ideas and providing some advice on the careers that await them.”
If you’d like to pass on your expertise to students at our next Career event, join our Super Alumni programme now.
To view the photos taken at the event click here.
We'd also like to thank the following alumni who were also so kind to share some of their time and expertise with the students on the evening: Magdalena Mutkovicova, Marketing Executive at Escher Group; Josh Edwards, Student Law Clinic Manager at the University of Sunderland; and Luke Stratton, Travel & Tourism Lecturer (PGCE Placement Year) at Sunderland College.
Article written by Matthew Shevlin, University of Sunderland Journalism graduate.