This Networking Practice with Alumni session is designed to give you a practical opportunity to develop and demonstrate your networking skills in a safe, non-judgmental space with FREE refreshments provided. It is an ideal and introvert-friendly session for students to put your networking skills to the test in this in-person mixer with UCL students and alumni.
You will also get a chance to naturally learn more about the alumni and their career stories based on the questions you and your peers ask. Receive golden tips for networking at the beginning of the session. Towards the end of the session, alumni will share common mistakes they have observed with suggested solutions, and you are also encouraged to share your major takeaways with everyone. Please attend this session prepared to engage with everyone.
Alumni who will be taking part:
Jess Zhou
Jess holds a BA in Criminology from Durham University and an MPhil in Criminal Justice from Oxford University and more recently completed an MSc in Child Development Psychology from UCL. Her career switch was informed by a desire to have a more direct and positive impact on young lives by intervening earlier in their educational and developmental stages.
Jess is the co-founder of an education startup established in 2022 called Homecamp UK Student Services Ltd, which is part of the UCL Innovation & Enterprise Hatchery community. Homecamp provides support and services to students who are studying in the UK mainly under the age of 18. Homecamp’s mission is to encourage young people's holistic development, boost their confidence, enhance their experiences, and feel more at home in the UK.
Ali Zafar
Ali Zafar is a former Relationship Manager at Barclays Private Bank, where he co-managed a £400 million portfolio of high-net-worth clients. He is a qualified investment advisor, having successfully completed all levels of the prestigious CFA exams. After leaving the finance sector, Ali founded a consultancy advising HNW families in London, Luxembourg and Switzerland on education strategies. In 2023, motivated by his experience as a first-generation immigrant from a low-income background, Ali launched LifeSmart to make financial education accessible and empower the next generation to take control of their financial futures.
LifeSmart
LifeSmart is a financial education initiative that has reached over 5,000 participants through tailored workshops, interactive sessions, and engaging materials. We’ve collaborated with universities, schools, and organisations across public and private sectors, empowering individuals to build confidence and achieve long-term financial well-being.
Peter Monteza
Founder of MyARC (Techstars '22) - a platform that enables fitness content creators to train their fans at scale. Our mission is to power fitness creators to get their fans fit and make a purposeful living while doing so.
Went from obese to a national-level athlete in the space of two years.
Event Timings:
6:30-6:45pm: Student arrival and refreshments
6:45-7:15pm: Introduction from hosts and presentations from guest speakers (2 guest speakers, 10 minutes each)
7:15-8:15pm: Seated networking skills (divided into 2 groups, each with one alum). Alumni rotate every 30 minutes.
8:15-8:30pm: Standing networking skills - focus on body language
8:30-9:00pm: Alumni panel discussion + students’ reflections, key takeaways, and final questions
9:00pm onwards: Casual networking with refreshments (optional)
10:00pm: Event ends
Participating in this session will allow you to:
- Learn how to develop networking skills through the mixer by recognising your own strengths and weaknesses in the practical session.
- Naturally learn more about the alumni and their career journey based on the questions you and your peers ask.
- Observe examples of different questions asked and answered in the session by peers.
- Reflect on the most common mistakes made in networking.
- Feeling more confident when networking in the future.
🩵This event is designed for all Postgraduate students (PGR and PGT) and recent graduates, however undergraduates who are interested in career development may find it helpful too.
💜This session is highly practical, so we kindly ask you to arrive on time to make the most of it. 😊
🩵Please wear whatever you're most comfortable in, however business casual attire is always encouraged!
💜Free refreshments including nibbles, fruits and soft drinks are provided.
🩵Location: Room B05, Darwin Building. Bloomsbury Campus, off South Junction. Approximately 2 minutes walk from Student Centre.
💡Testimonials from Previous Attendees
When asked "What did you like about this event in particular?", attendees shared:
"The tips given and just the opportunity to network."
"Alumni insight about interpersonal skills."
"The organiser Darcy was very welcoming."
"Guest insights and people I met, very friendly."
"Practical tips from alumni, inspiring stories. The event is thoughtfully planned - I LOVED the conversation starter sheet provided, very beginner friendly."
"The reflection sheet is very helpful for me to reflect on my learning from tonight."