University of Kent The Journey Starts Here…

Dr Laura MachinLancaster University

Combined working with studying Wanted University experience Restrictions

Qualifications Wary of University-life

Visited Canterbury campus – never looked back!

Why University? Why Kent?

Why I wanted to be an Ambassador Presentation skills Confidence Work experience Try out possible career avenues Let everyone know how wonderful Uni life was

My Time as a Kent Ambassador

What I did as an Ambassador Attended recruitment events around the

country Spoke at schools about my experiences of Uni

life Widening participation summer schools Campus tours UCAS clearing hotline Mentor to school students

My Time as a Kent Ambassador

What it was like to be the first Kent Ambassador Pride Excitement Friendships

My Time as a Kent Ambassador

Travel to new unis = moved institutions with each degree I have taken

Engaging with new people, initiating relationships = post doc researcher

My passion for widening participation = Medical School with a strong widening participation agenda, heavily involved in the admissions process

Confidence and presentation skills = lecturing

What I’ve taken from being a Kent Ambassador

Make use of your known contacts Tailor your cv to job, person, industry etc Seek out opportunities or create your own Make a professional profile and keep it up to

date Be ‘job application’ ready Networking is a lifelong activity!

Networking

Don’t underestimate yourself – there are enough people in this world to put you down and you don’t need another enemy to stand in your way

Value what you bring to the table Know your strengths Get regular updates on job

opportunities…what would you do if you knew you couldn’t fail?

“Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars”

Work out what you love and hate about your current role/position, then think about alternative careers that might incorporate those strengths and passions

Be strategic – have an idea what you want e.g. researching, permanent contract, living together, location

Be open to new opportunities…say ‘yes’ Be prepared to be selfish…say ‘no’

“Choice comes in two flavours: You can decide what you want to do and then go out and find it, or you can notice what you are already doing, and choose

that”

Avoid viewing a role as the end-goal, see it as the entry ticket to the next step/goal

Do the jobs that no one else wants to do and turn them into a speciality

Make what you do count Be prepared to step up and take on additional responsibility without

being asked Try to establish an identity – think about what you want to be known

for Get a mentor Surround yourself by good people (listen, watch and learn) Use extra-curricular activities as a way to demonstrate, practice and

gain new skills and abilities Seek out training opportunities

“First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do”

“Nothing in the world can take the place of perseverance. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful individuals with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Perseverance and determination alone are omnipotent”