Xiaohongshu
My time as your Postgraduate Officer is coming to an end, and I’m so grateful for the kindness and support you’ve shown me along the way.
To my fellow postgraduate students, thank you for reading my newsletters, showing up to events, sharing your thoughts, and making this community what it is. It has been such a privilege to represent you, learn from you, and be part of your journey!
Here are a few projects I've been working on during my time in the role:
Career Supercharger
Over the past two years as Postgraduate Officer, I have worked to make postgraduate students feel better represented, supported and connected across UCL. A major focus of my work has been improving students’ career development and employability. I developed Career Supercharger, a student-led initiative bringing students together with alumni and industry professionals through panels, global career webinars, networking opportunities and honest conversations about different career journeys. It also enables students to build transferable skills by volunteering in the design and delivery of events, with a wider vision of making career development more accessible, inclusive and empowering for all students. I'm really proud of this project, and I'm excited to see where it goes in the future.
Postgraduate Summer
I created Postgraduate Summer, running a range of activities that give postgraduates the chance to upskill, try something new, and make the most of being in London during the summer months. From networking opportunities and Discover London trips, to beginners' sports sessions and World Cup watch parties, the campaign brings postgraduate students together and ensures that the fun doesn't stop at the end of Term 3.
Making postgraduate voices heard
I have also worked to ensure that postgraduate student voices are heard in decision-making across UCL and the Students’ Union. This has involved raising students’ concerns with senior stakeholders, contributing to discussions about the postgraduate experience, and advocating for more inclusive, practical and accessible support for international students, taught postgraduates and research students.
ExtendED Learning
As Term 3 got underway, a key focus of my work was developing and promoting the ExtendED Learning programme - a packed programme of hands-on events designed to encourage students to think differently, meet new people, build their confidence and develop skills they can take into their future careers. It was rewarding to create opportunities that not only helped students grow personally and professionally, but also gave them experiences they could showcase on their CVs. I also had the chance to host two events that I was particularly excited about: Articulating Your Skills: How to Stand Out to Employers and UCL 200 Career Supercharger: Ask an Employer – Tea, Tips and Career Insights.
Academic reps
Another highlight of the year was strengthening academic representation! Earlier this term, I brought together Postgraduate Research (PGR) Academic Reps and the leadership of the UCL Doctoral School for a thoughtful and constructive discussion, giving reps the chance to share insights from their departments and reflect on their experiences.
I was also heavily involved in planning the Annual Academic Rep Conferences, which gave me the opportunity to meet with reps from across UCL and hear first-hand about the incredible work they do. With more than 2,000 academic reps supporting students across every department, the conference was a chance to celebrate their impact while helping them develop further.
Goodbye!
Next year, Anam Choudhary will be stepping into the role of Postgraduate Officer, and I'm sure she will do a brilliant job. For now, though, it's goodbye from me. I hope this summer gives you space to rest, reconnect, try something new, and make some lovely memories before the next chapter begins!