Alumni
A realistic Guide to life at UCLan - written by students!
Before you go...
Graduates automatically become members of the UCLan Alumni Association. Keep in touch with UCLan and friends wherever you are through the UCLan Alumni Facebook Page and dedicated website. They will keep you up to date with news and opportunities, send you alumni magazines and invitations to events where you can meet up with old uni friends and tutors and get the chance to network.
Before these graduates left UCLan and went on to top careers, they had some words of advice and a few things to say about their experiences:
Nic Corrigan – Knitwear Designer at Tiara Clothing
UCLan gave me lasting Memories. I had great supportive tutors who were passionate about what they did.
Wajid Khan – UCLan Lecturer
Try to give up some time for volunteering. I have been inspired by so many people especially through volunteering, which led me to co-ordinating young people, engaging and empowering them with skills to help them in life.
Lyn Fenton from Marie Curie– FR Manager
Part time work or volunteer work would help you move into employment.
Mandy Langton – Director of Viva TV
Obtain as much work experiences as you can, even if it means working for free. It definitely pays in the long run.
Kara McCabe-Press Officer at SJM Concerts
Get as much work experience as possible, work hard and play hard and do voluntary activities as it helps manage your time and shows you can multi-task.
Jessica Knot – Intelligence Administrator for Surrey Police.
Start job hunting asap - write or contact employers in which you are interested and get yourself known.
Harry Ahmed – Astra Zeneca
Life and work experience are just as important as academic qualifications.
Take every opportunity to get involved in activities that gain exposure and be yourself out of your comfort zone whether this be through some sort of employment, charity work or community initiative. In an age of competency based job profiles you have to stand out from the large crowds who have all got degrees.
Rita Brassington – Crime Scene Investigator for Greater Manchester Police.
Sometimes competition for jobs can be fierce so being part of as many clubs, organisations and events as possible gives you a head start and maybe the skills another applicant doesn’t have .
Dr Edward Halpin – Associate Dean for the International Faculty at Leeds Metropolitan University
Don’t be afraid to ask for the opportunity to access a course or be afraid that you are not good enough. With the same sort of support and advice that I was given you can succeed. From an access course I eventually went on to complete my PhD.
Many UCLan students have positive things to say about the university. The Alumni Association can help you get in touch with those in some of the career paths above and many more through their links with past students and current employers.
For more information about the current jobs of our past students or any information about how the Alumni Association works, please contact: alumniassociation@uclan.ac.uk , call 01772 892344
