How my course helped me take an unexpected route after Graduation

What was your defining moment at LBU?

My dissertation. Although I did an Events Management course, the dissertation was very open, and I was able to demonstrate my interest in artificial intelligence and how it can affect the events industry. Working on my dissertation and having so much control over my topic, has really defined my next steps for the future. It allowed me to explore outside of my course subjects and has directly influenced my choice to study a Master’s in Media, Data and Society. I am now able to take this step because my course has helped develop transferable skills that I can now take further.

Can you give us an overview of your work placements and experience as a student?

As a student, I took on a wide range of work experience, placements, and volunteering opportunities that have shaped my path for the future. Once I realised I was interested in AI, I used my networking skills to find a Leeds-based company with whom I’ve been volunteering for a while. I help them promote their events and workshops.

Another standout opportunity was my work with and Amsterdam-based company, that happened to have a Leeds-based employee who helped me take on some work within several teams, including partnerships, research, and events.

In what capacity did you get involved with LEEDS 2023?

I knew LEEDS 2023 was going to be a fantastic opportunity to learn a lot of skills that would help me build my career. I worked as a workshop facilitator for them, getting involved in some of the main activations, like Waking the Artist, and the Dream Builder’s workshop. My role involved facilitating conversations with primary school children and getting involved in creative workshops. We made headdresses for the Leeds West Indian Carnival and encouraged the children to get creative and experiment with different crafts.

For the Dream Builder’s workshop, I worked with women from societies and cultures I would not have interacted with otherwise. I also helped raise the WOW Barn in 24h alongside 300 other women and non-binary people across Leeds, for the Women of the World festival. It was an empowering experience.

Why did you choose Leeds Beckett?

Leeds Beckett, and in particular the Events school, stood out amongst the rest, as did the campus and staff. The staff seemed the friendliest and Headingley campus was unlike any other campus I saw and that really drew me in. I loved the buildings. I loved the atmosphere and value about the place.

Then, it being the largest teaching group across the country for that particular course, and also the stories that they told us when I attended the open day, about one of my lecturers who had recently got married and another lecturer was the reverend who had married them, and then there was a student who had sang for them. They painted a really nice picture about how the course was, showing how everything was very much interlinked. Now I've completed a four-year course degree here, I know that what they were saying is true.

How did your course help you find all those opportunities?

I think the biggest thing that the course taught me is to connect with as many people as possible. So that's always been my mindset. I've gone into every opportunity thinking that everything is a possibility to connect with somebody new. I never saw any work experience as something I had to do. I was thinking this is actually an opportunity for me to connect with an area or a group of people who I might not necessarily get to connect with. And there could be opportunities for me in the future.

You've just got to put yourself out there. I took every opportunity I could and I think I'm in a really, really good position now, at the end of my course. I feel secure in what I'm doing. I've got lots of different connections because I put myself out there.

Do you think being in Leeds has contributed to your achievements?

Leeds has offered me so many opportunities. Throughout my course, being here felt right, it’s the right city for my industry, both on the events and on the AI side. It’s been the right place to be, and I never wished to be anywhere else.