Postgraduate student Shlok attends one of Darcy's Career Supercharger events
Last week, I attended the Postgraduate Career Supercharger: How to Pitch Yourself in 1 Minute event, which was organised by Darcy, the current Postgraduate Officer. It was such an engaging and dynamic session! Packed with valuable insights, it highlighted the importance of networking, structuring responses effectively, and building confidence in professional conversations. I went in hoping to sharpen my ability to make an impact in interviews and networking scenarios, and I came away with a lot to think about.
Learning how to network
One of the biggest takeaways for me? Networking is everything! In the UK job market, it’s not just about what you know but also about who you know. Employers talk, connections matter, and making the right impression can open doors to incredible opportunities. It made me reflect on how I approach networking - whether at interviews, events, or even casual coffee chats. Standing out isn’t just about having the best qualifications; it’s about how you communicate your value.
Standing out isn’t just about having the best qualifications; it’s about how you communicate your value.
I appreciated the focus on structuring responses to ensure clarity and impact. We were encouraged to showcase our passions and interests while balancing authenticity with adaptability. One of the key takeaways was that sometimes confidence is about “faking it till you make it.” Knowing how to present myself strategically while keeping responses engaging felt like a game-changer!
The session also addressed some common challenges students face in the job market, especially the difficulty of translating academic knowledge into practical skills and the necessity of continuous upskilling. We worked on crafting responses to key prompts like “Tell me about yourself” and “Why should we hire you?”—questions that come up in both formal interviews and informal networking scenarios. It was great to get hands-on experience refining these answers in real time.
'Pitch Yourself' activity
My favourite part of the session was definitely the ‘Pitch Yourself’ activity at the end! It was slightly nerve-wracking but incredibly useful. We had the chance to present our pitches and receive personalised feedback from the speaker on clarity, confidence, and making a lasting impression. I found this exercise particularly helpful because it gave me real-time insights into what employers value and how I can refine my delivery.
Overall, this session was a fantastic opportunity, and I’d highly recommend it to anyone—whether you’re actively job-hunting or just looking to expand your professional circle. Knowing how to pitch yourself effectively is a skill that will take you far! A lot of students I spoke to afterwards found it engaging and insightful, giving them a real confidence boost. Personally, I left feeling much more prepared and motivated to refine my pitch further and put these skills into practice.
Darcy runs regular Postgraduate Supercharger events. Check out the next event below!