Category: Bristol Volunteers

Students and alumni connect at Bristol Career Insights 2019

Posted on by clare.young

A big thank you to our Bristol Volunteers for giving their time, experience and expertise to our final year students and recent graduates, at our latest Bristol Career Insights events. Alumni shared their career stories and experiences to help our recent graduates take positive next steps in their careers.

We welcomed alumni from a number of different industries to speak to current students and recent graduates about their next steps – from securing a career in the city to setting up their own business; across the arts, legal, technology, finance and many more!

Below, read recent graduate and alumni speaker experiences of the events. You can also view pictures of these events by visiting the University of Bristol alumni and friends Flickr page.

“I met a range of interesting people, professional alumni in positions/roles that I wouldn’t usually have access to or think about engaging with. But it’s amazing what great advice you can glean when you go along and ask for it.”

Recent graduate: Joel Willcocks (BSc 2018), Service Executive at Appear Here

 

 

 

“I was glad to have the opportunity to give something back to the University of Bristol, which has benefited me greatly in my career. It was also nice to have an opportunity to reflect on my own work philosophy in the hope of having something worthwhile to share with recent Bristol graduates.”

Alumni speaker: Patrick Raleigh (BSc 2003), Director of Country Risk at Bank of America Merrill Lynch


We will be running our next Bristol Career Insights events in Autumn 2019. If you would like to be involved, please contact alumni-volunteers@bristol.ac.uk

Thank you, Bristol Volunteers!

Posted on by clare.young

Volunteers Reception, Bill Brown Suite, University of Bristol

Last month our community of Bristol Volunteers joined us for our first evening Bristol Volunteers Reception. The event was an opportunity to celebrate our volunteers and say thank you for their amazing work, as well as share stories of their volunteering experience. Our volunteers give their time and expertise as mentors, advisors, speakers, organisers and much more. The support of our volunteers has a huge impact for our students, the alumni community and the University, and we are incredibly grateful for their contributions. Thank you to all those who attended and everyone who has given their time to support the University this year.

We were delighted to hear from Leslie Stephens (BSc 1975), who volunteers on our US Foundation Board and travelled from New York to join us. John Reeve (BSc 1982), who is a mentor on our Bristol Mentors programme, also attended the evening and shared his experience of taking part and supporting a current student at Bristol. Julia Wathen (BSc 1972), who volunteers on the London Branch Committee, shared her personal involvement with the Bristol community. Julia commented on the strength of the alumni network, thanks to the hard work and commitment of our volunteers, and her sentiments resonated with all in the room.

Below are the winners of our ‘Bristol Volunteers Thank You Draw’. If you’re interested in becoming part of the Bristol Volunteers community, you can find out more about opportunities to get involved here on our webpage. 

Why I am a Bristol Volunteer?


“I have been organising or coordinating an annual reunion of Alumni living in Eastern Canada for about 15 years. I enjoy doing this because it has brought me a wonderful group of friends, who have become close because of our shared beginnings. Having those formative years of our lives in common at Bristol gives us endless conversation topics, and several of the group have been back to Bristol and share their visits with us. We are all very grateful for the start in life that Bristol gave us.”
Heather Proctor BSc 1964, Eastern Canada Network Leader

 

“I thought volunteering was about giving back, spending time and listening and helping…But it’s so much more. I think I learn more than the students. I think I’m back in my learning zone. I’m being tested, questioned, put under pressure. The students I meet conduct a panel interview on me. They come to my office. They ask penetrating questions. They don’t accept waffle and excuses. They’re good. They’re strong. This is not for the faint- hearted. The future is bright. And it’s coming from Bristol.”
Paul Moran, MSc 2012, Professional Mentor

 


“My time at Bristol was transformational for every part of my life. I made many friends that I’m sure I’ll have for the rest of my life and learnt many new amazing things.I feel part of a community where we can share life’s experiences and ensure that spark and energy is transferred to current students so they can look back and feel proud of their time at Bristol too.”
Andrew Franks, MEng 2010, Manor Hall Association

Hong Kong Branch and Bristol Young Lawyers meet-up

Posted on 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 by Joanna Sochacka

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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.

 

London Branch Annual Walk: Secrets of the Famous Square Mile Part III, 30 April 2019

Posted on by Natalie Hill

London Branch Annual Walk: Secrets of the Famous Square Mile Part III
Alan Ingham (MEng 1999)

On 30th April 2019 a group of 30 London Branch of University of Bristol Alumni gathered for the third installment of our Secret London series of London Walks, guided by a Blue Badge Guide.

Chris Green, a fellow Bristol Graduate, led our group on an informative walk around the City of London. Starting at Trinity Square Gardens (near Tower Hill) and ending in the Williamson Nicholson’s pub on picturesque Bow Lane, we heard about trade, architecture and characters spanning from Roman times to the modern day.

It is too easy to take one’s city and surroundings for granted as we go about our daily business, paying little attention to the history around us. Our walks aim to highlight the details we so often miss, thus keeping this hidden knowledge alive.

Although we walked streets which were familiar to many of us, it is always inspiring to hear of those feet who walked before us and look up to see the marks they left on the city we love.

The event concluded with a chance to socialise over food and drinks and appeared to be enjoyed by all.

It’s national Volunteers’ Week – thank you to our Bristol Volunteers

Posted on by clare.young

A message from Professor Hugh Brady, Vice-Chancellor

Volunteers’ Week is a national celebration of the fantastic contribution volunteers make across the UK. This week we have been celebrating our Bristol Volunteers, who have given their time and expertise this last academic year, as mentors, advisors, speakers, organisers, and much more. Watch the video to hear your personal thanks from Professor Hugh Brady, President and Vice-Chancellor.

Bristol Volunteers support Bristol and uphold its values all over the world, by enhancing students’ experience and employability, helping students make decisions about study and careers and leading our networks. We are very grateful for the outstanding contribution of all our volunteers: your advice, experience and support have an enormous impact on our students, the alumni community and the University. 

Below, read about three individual volunteer experiences. If you are keen on becoming part of the Bristol Volunteer community, find out more about opportunities to get involved on our dedicated volunteering opportunities page.

Why I am a Bristol Volunteer?

“I volunteer as a mentor for undergraduates interested in working in the voluntary sector. I have worked with several intelligent, enthusiastic and passionate young people to date, some of whom have gone on to become interns that have delivered some outstanding pieces of work for the British Red Cross. A small amount of your time can provide some valuable insights for those just getting started – a really rewarding opportunity.”
Helen Sipthorp (BSc 2008)

 

“I thought volunteering was about giving back, spending time and listening and helping… But it’s so much more. I think I learn more than the students. I think I’m back in my learning zone. I’m being tested, questioned, put under pressure. The students I meet conduct a panel interview on me. They come to my office. They ask penetrating questions. They don’t accept waffle and excuses. They’re good. They’re strong. This is not for the faint- hearted. The future is bright. And it’s coming from Bristol.”
Paul Moran (MSc 2012) 

 

“I have been organising or coordinating an annual reunion of alumni living in Eastern Canada for about 15 years. I enjoy doing this because it has brought me a wonderful group of friends, who have become close because of our shared beginnings. Having those formative years of our lives in common at Bristol gives us endless conversation topics, and several of the group have been back to Bristol and share their visits with us. We are all very grateful for the start in life that Bristol gave us.”
Heather Proctor (BSc 1964)

 

Are you volunteering for Bristol? There is still time to enter our Thank You Draw. Tell us in 50 – 70 words, “Why I am a Bristol Volunteer”, attach a photo of your time here, and we will enter you for your chance to win an exclusive Bristol Bundle. Submit your entries to alumni-volunteers@bristol.ac.uk 

Become a Bristol Volunteer: current opportunities

Posted on by Natalie Hill


Throughout the year we work across departments to match our alumni volunteers with relevant and rewarding opportunities. To keep up to date with our latest volunteering opportunities sign-up to our Bristol Volunteers digest, or explore our ongoing volunteering opportunities online. 

Bristol Mentors

This week marks the end of a successful first year of our alumni mentoring programme. Bristol Mentors supports current students who are under-represented in higher education, and we’re looking for Bristol alumni to take part as volunteer mentors for 2019/20.

If you think you can share your professional experience, career insight and support current students at the University, we’d love to hear from you. We would particularly welcome interest from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) graduates with an interest in supporting students. This year we have a large number of applications from students who identify as BAME and have expressed an interest in working with a BAME mentor.

To find out more visit our website or contact alumni-mentoring@bristol.ac.uk.

Bristol Career Insights events

We are looking for alumni speakers and networkers who can share their career stories, give exclusive insights into their industries and share their experience at our upcoming Bristol Career Insights events:

Bristol, Thursday 13 June 2019
London, Tuesday 18 June 2019
Hong Kong, Thursday 11 July 2019
Singapore, Saturday 13 July 2019
Kuala Lumpur, Monday 15 July 2019

If you could support current students and recent graduates looking to take the next steps in their careers please get in touch with the Bristol Volunteers team at alumni-volunteers@bristol.ac.uk.

Welcome volunteers for our incoming international students

Our Global Opportunities team are planning a range of events and opportunities to welcome our incoming international students. We are looking for expressions of interest from alumni who can help give a warm and personal welcome to Bristol.

Events will be held on campus in the International Welcome Lounge from 9 to 13 September and 15 to 27 September.

Please send expressions of interest to alumni-volunteers@bristol.ac.uk.

Chair of the Cambridge Branch of the University of Bristol Alumni

After 10 years in the role, Alison Wilson (BA 1966) will be stepping down as Chair of the Cambridge Branch in October.

The Chair works closely with the University and members of the network to organise a calendar of events throughout the year, offering alumni the chance to connect and socialise.

To find out more about the role please contact the Bristol Volunteers team at alumni-volunteers@bristol.ac.uk.

Annual Golf Day co-ordinator

We are looking for keen golfers to take a lead on co-ordinating our annual Golf Day. Golf Day has been running for 10 years and sees alumni take on staff and students for an afternoon of sport and socialising.

To find out more please contact the Bristol Volunteers team at alumni-volunteers@bristol.ac.uk.

Clifton Hill House Association

Anthony Duncalf, current Physics student (2018- ), is starting an Association for alumni of Clifton Hill House.

There has been plenty of interest from current students, and Anthony is now looking for local Clifton Hill House alumni to participate in initial meetings to shape the network, and possibly join the Committee.

To find out more please contact the Bristol Volunteers team at alumni-volunteers@bristol.ac.uk.

Bristol Mentors: helping to shape students’ futures

Posted on by Clare

Lucy Downer, Final Year English BA Undergraduate, talks about her fantastic experience of having an alumni mentor with the Bristol Mentors programme.

University of Bristol Mentors
Bristol Mentors

 

“Starting out as a third-year student I felt incredibly daunted by the prospect of life post-graduation. Being part of the Bristol Mentors programme this year has given me invaluable experience within an industry I am considering entering after graduation.

I’m considering becoming a journalist, and so being matched with my alumni mentor – a news editor at The Guardian – felt like a dream fit straight away!

Getting to talk to someone who has come from a similar position as you and has achieved so much was incredibly inspiring. My mentor has given me great advice and contacts within the journalism industry and practical advice on how to seek and ask for work experience.

Probably the highlight has been having the opportunity to visit my mentor at her place of work in London and having an informal day’s work experience at The Guardian. Due to the competitive nature of work experience positions at the company this was an experience I might never otherwise have gained.

I was shown around The Guardian headquarters and attended the morning news meeting. I then met with a range of editors on the news team, and even had the opportunity to pitch article ideas to the section’s main editor.

I’ve since applied to a master’s programme in journalism and a scholarship programme offered by The Guardian, to encourage students from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds into the industry.

The scheme helped not only to encourage me to think about my career prospects but made me feel less daunted by the prospect of doing so; with the support of my mentor and some great people at the Careers Service, planning life after university hasn’t feel like such a big leap.

I think it’s easy to feel quite lost if you don’t have a definite plan for life after university, and even though my future isn’t completely mapped out and my career choice set in stone, I have so much more knowledge and experience of how to succeed in the working world after graduation.

I can’t recommend this programme highly enough!”

To find out more about how you could become a Mentor, and to learn about our other Volunteering opportunities, please visit our dedicated online page.

Arts Careers Week a soaring success thanks to our alumni

Posted on by Natalie Hill

Humanities, Modern Languages and School of Arts students were wowed with the passion, knowledge and expertise of the alumni volunteers who came back to Bristol to talk all things careers during this year’s ‘Arts Careers Week’. Run by the Faculty of Arts and Careers Service, this year saw a week of talks and panel events geared up to get students thinking about the kinds of jobs they could go into upon graduating.


For the first time, this December we also hosted a careers networking evening which proved to be a real hit with our students. Feedback received was hugely positive from the event, which allowed students to talk to alumni from a whole host of different areas from TV to Law about how they found their career calling over drinks and nibbles. 

Now in its third year, this year we saw our highest ever attendance figures, which is a real testament to the quality of the talks that our alumni give. Panel sessions were held on careers in law, banking and finance, charity and the not for profit sector, working in higher education, media and journalism, publishing, advertising, event management, languages careers and working in the film and TV industry, to name but a few!

Mu Ali with English student Josh Peleg

Special thanks go out to the following alumni, who gave up their time and travelled from far and wide to be there to give something back:

  • Mu Ali (Classics, studied a little while ago, in his words!) who works as Chief Growth Officer for media agency Wavemaker UK has attended Arts Careers Week for the second time running, where his talks on working in advertising shed light on the pros and cons of the sector, as well as his top tips for success, including bringing all of yourself to work. Mu has also assisted English student, Josh Peleg, to find an internship opportunity in advertising.
  • Charlotte DC (BA Philosophy 2013) works as the Event Manager for MOMA festivals and told us about the ‘glamorous 1%’ of what still sounds like a very cool job!
  • Lucinda Elliott (BA Spanish & Portuguese 2012) was kind enough to fly from Brazil where she is now a journalist covering South America, to remind students of the benefits of doing a languages degree, and the amazing possibilities this opens to them upon graduation.
  • Rosanna Quigley (BA French & Portuguese 2015) works as a Conference and Event Manager and gave a down to earth recollection of what it’s like to enter a competitive job market for the first time, but how beneficial her experiences on her year abroad in France were to her current career.
  • Katie Foxall (BA English Literature 1997) works in Publishing for e Cancer, a site that provides free oncology information and education worldwide and talked to students about the various paths available in the publishing industry, as well as the importance of gaining all-important work experience whilst studying.
  • Rosalind Neely (BA French and German 1984), Freelance Editor, Proof Reader and Project Manager for Illustrated Art Books provided an insight into the varied and rewarding career of an experienced publisher.
  • Francesca Wilson (BA History of Art 2011), Arts Charity Director of Programming and Development for a non-profit organisation called the Easel Initiative was inspiring and open about working in the sector and the importance of opening up the arts industry to a wider and more diverse audience.
  • Eleanor Boyer (BA English 2015), who now works at Google in the Government and Public Policy team, allowed students to consider how their degrees can have more of a relationship to working in the tech industry than they might at first think.
  • Sarah Pitt (BA English Literature & Community Engagement 2014), who works as the MD for MSP TV has attended both our networking evening and our session on Film and TV! Her wisdom on the area and channelled creativity were truly second to none.
  • Natasha Riordan-Eva (BA Music 2011), Event Manager at the Southbank Centre specialising in classical music, captivated the audience with her experiences of being at Bristol and how this has helped her in her career, including achieving her life-long aspiration of presenting on BBC Radio 3).
  • Piers Alder (BA English 1988) works as a Copywriter and extolled the virtues of working freelance, writing for a living and being able to work on a variety of different projects and initiatives.
  • Hannah Armstrong (BA Archaeology and Anthropology 2010), Principal Heritage Consultant at Pegasus Group, works in the planning sector and advises on heritage assets. It was interesting to see how relevant a degree in Archaeology and Anthropology can be to the legal world.
  • Gemma Brace (MA History of Art 2010), Exhibitions and Engagement Officer at the University of Bristol highlighted the dedication, passion and drive that go into forging a career in the arts and culture sector.
Natasha Riordan-Eva talks to our Music students about working in live events

To all the alumni who contributed to our events this year, including those who could not attend but would have liked to, we would like to extend a huge thanks from all of us in the Faculty of Arts and Careers Service. Your input is invaluable to our students and provides both a source of inspiration and greater clarity on what it’s really like to work in your chosen sectors.

Faculty of Arts alumni: please get in touch with Anona Williams (Faculty of Arts) if you would like to get involved in future events, interviews or promotional videos at anona.williams@bristol.ac.uk.

Find out more about the Bristol Volunteers programme for alumni.

Cambridge Branch spring event, 4 May 2019

Posted on by Natalie Hill
Dr Jessica Gardner (left) with alumni


Alison Wilson (BA 1966)

Cambridge is celebrating a significant event this year, the 200th anniversary of the founding of the Cambridge Philosophical Society.  Among its members were some of the most famous scientists in the world, many of them Nobel Prize-winners. CBBA’s spring event this year was a visit to an exhibition at the University Library entitled ‘Discovery’ showcasing books, papers and equipment to illustrate the achievements of these Cambridge scientists. We were hosted by the Librarian, Dr Jessica Gardner, who formerly held the same post at the University of Bristol. She began with a lecture, which was in three parts; first some information about the proposed new Main Library in Bristol with slides showing the situation and concept, then an introduction to Cambridge University Library and the many initiatives which are making it a more open and interactive place and thirdly an introduction to the exhibition and its treasures. After a short break for refreshments she mingled with the group as they viewed the items: Newton’s annotated copy of ‘Principia’, Darwin’s own copy of his ‘Origin of the Species’, Lord Rayleigh’s home-made equipment for studying waves, Bell-Burnell’s chart from which she deduced pulsars, and much more. Jess made us feel very welcome and we are most grateful to her for the private view.

We then adjourned to nearby Clare College for a delicious ‘champagne tea’. Sitting at round tables 44 people greeted old friends and got to know new members. We all enjoyed this stimulating afternoon, connecting us back to Bristol.

Alison will be standing down as Chair of the Cambridge Branch at the AGM in October. Alumni interested in the role are asked to please email alumni-volunteers@bristol.ac.uk.