Joanna Sochacka – Alumni Blog

Alumni in Malaysia help new students on their way to Bristol

Posted on 11th September 201913th September 2019 by Joanna Sochacka

The Malaysia alumni network and the Malaysian and Singaporean Student Association (MSSA) joined forces this August to give some of Bristol’s newest students the best send-off to Bristol.

Our alumni have a lot of insight, practical advice and plenty of stories to share with the next generation of students, and we’re delighted to see this in action in Malaysia.

Kindly hosted at Radiant Retreats in the highlands outside the city by Hanis Harun (LLB 1994, MBA 1995), CEO of Radiant Group in Kuala Lumpur, the weekend of events introduced the incoming 2019-20 cohort with current students and alumni over a series of orientation activities.

The meet-up aims to support new students with their adjustment to life in a new city and unfamiliar country and help build a network of familiar faces and connections that will no doubt grow over the years ahead.

Alumni were also on hand to share how their time at Bristol shaped their careers and pass on useful tips on making the most out of the opportunities Bristol can offer.

The event also united MSSA Committee members past and present, sharing the latest news and best practice from over the years of one of Bristol’s largest student societies (pictured from L – R: Farah, current VP, Zaki, VP 1991-92 and Brian, VP 2015-16).

“The Bristol alumni is a close and strong network in Malaysia, and we wanted the new students to know we would be there for them now and into the future” – Ahmad Zaki Zahid, LLB 1994.

Find out more about our international alumni networks and contact alumni-volunteers@bristol.ac.uk if you’d like to get involved.

Hong Kong Branch and Bristol Young Lawyers meet-up

Posted on 13th July 2019 by Joanna Sochacka

Wednesday 10 July 2019

Volunteers of the Hong Kong Branch, Bristol Young Lawyers and the Alumni Association Committee came together and offered a very warm welcome to the Bristol Volunteers team over dinner, despite the seven hour time difference and over 6,000 miles distance.

There was lots to catch up about, news to share and finally putting faces to names!

With special thanks to Steve Cheng (LLB 2009), who co-ordinated the dinner held in a lovely private dining space in Central Hong Kong, a lively discussion ranged between UK, Hong Kong and global politics, Bristol’s new Temple Quarter Campus and exciting plans for expanding the volunteer-led programmes in the city.

After dinner, Joanna Sochacka (Engagement Manager, Development and Alumni Relations) updated the group with plans for a new space – Connect Hong Kong – within the University’s new alumni engagement platform, Bristol Connects. Raymond Hau-yin Yuen (MSc Public Policy 2008) shared the great news that they have awarded the Hong Kong Branch Scholarship – we look forward to welcoming the new scholar to Bristol in September.

Steve Cheng shared plans for the Bristol Young Lawyers, including linking up with the Branch more closely and working with alumni from other UK universities, and Adrian Gostick (BSc Geology 1989), member of the new Alumni Association Committee, spoke of how he has been inspired to engage closely with the University after hearing about its pioneering research in congenital heart disease and award-winning enterprise programme.

The Bristol Volunteers team are working with alumni across SE Asia in July to connect them with current students and recent graduates looking for insight and career tips that can help them take the next step in their career.

A very big thank you goes to all Bristol Volunteers who give up their time to support the University by helping students and keeping the alumni network connected.

Find out more about our volunteer-led groups and networks and about Bristol Connects.

Bristol Law School Women’s Network annual reception

Posted on 21st June 2019 by Joanna Sochacka

The annual Bristol Law School Women’s Network (BLSWN) event took place at Brewers’ Hall in the City of London on 19 June 2019.

The audience of current Bristol Law School students, academic staff and alumni was treated to an evening with The Rt Hon The Baroness Hale of Richmond, the University of Bristol’s former Chancellor. Lady Hale spoke of her journey from academia to her current position as President of the Supreme Court, sharing her triumphs and challenges along the way. The evening continued with a lively Q & A session followed by a drinks and networking reception. The event was sponsored by Bristol Law School with all proceeds going to the Law School Hardship Fund.

Naomi Buffery, General Counsel for Europe at Greenhill & Co., LLB 2000
Georgina Jones, Partner at Sackers, LLB 1998
Law School Advisory Board members

Join the University of Bristol Law Alumni group on LinkedIn and email blwn17@gmail.com to contact the network’s volunteers and find out how to get involved.

It’s International Volunteer Day – thank you to our Bristol Volunteers!

Posted on 5th December 201810th December 2018 by Joanna Sochacka

We’ve taken a fun look at what makes a Bristol Volunteer.

If you currently volunteer for the Bristol alumni network – by running events, giving careers support to our students or by sharing your advice and expertise – we hope you received your personal thank you by email. If you didn’t hear from us, please get in touch so we can rectify this: alumni-volunteers@bristol.ac.uk.

We’re so very proud of our growing Bristol Volunteer community. If you would like to get involved, please get in touch.

Professor Hugh Brady, President and Vice-Chancellor, says: ‘I am very fortunate to often see first-hand the breadth of activity and impact our 1,000-strong network of Bristol Volunteers brings to our community, and I am immensely proud of all of you. A heart-felt thank you for your continued support’.

Careers after English – alumni panel

Posted on 19th November 201821st November 2018 by Joanna Sochacka

Many thanks to our alumni, who all graduated with a degree in English, for returning to their department and sharing their career paths and experiences with current students.

After a welcome from Professor Helen Fulton, Chair in Medieval Literature and Head of the English Department, five alumni shared their journeys since Bristol and their insights into their current profession:

Cordelia Lodge (BA English 2014), Fundraiser at the RSPCA, highlighted how the skills you gain during your degree apply in many different roles – especially the ability to cut down a word count!
Faith Newcombe (BA English 2017), Production Editor at Intellect Books, shared how attending events and hearing from others is always helpful, even if it shows you what you don’t want to do – and spoke from experience having met a current colleague at a networking evening.
Sam Charkham (BA English 2010), Solicitor at Burges Salmon LLP, said his English degree was great preparation for his post-graduate degree in law and the skills you require in the profession. He is very happy working now on different projects within commercial law though encouraged the audience to stay resilient, you can apply for lots of different jobs before being successful.
Jim White (BA English 1980), Columnist at Telegraph Media Group, shared his vast experience and insights into journalism, and encouraged students to take advantage of the opportunities in front of you during your time at Bristol.
Nicola Yeeles (BA English 2002), Freelance Writer, Editor and Teacher, shared her varied career path and explained that now, a portfolio career is very common and not to worry about not finding your ideal job straight away.

Following the panel introductions, a number of questions covered whether to accept a job that’s not exactly in your area, whether you’re at a disadvantage if you transfer to another discipline without the relevant undergraduate degree, and how the landscape of works is always shifting. All panellists stressed the value of the transferable skills they gained from their English degree, including synthesising and summarising material quickly, writing well, and thinking critically. Students and alumni had a further chance to ask questions and share stories informally over a drink in the Department foyer.

Many thanks to our Bristol Volunteers for getting involved. Get in touch with alumni-volunteers@bristol.ac.uk if you’re keen to support the career development of current students.

Author: Joanna Sochacka