Inspirational students sell the benefits of work experience at online GSBS showcase
Students from the Glasgow School of Business Society came together to share their experiences of learning through work, as part of the “GCU Showcase - Learning from Work”event.
The event, which took place online on 26 January, invited students, staff and employers to hear from a panel of students about how their work experience has developed their career aspirations.
The panel of students included Social Sciences student Justyna Sadovska, Business Management student Louis Evans, Multimedia Journalism student Antonia Dawson and Risk Management student Elizabeth Burns.
Each student had the opportunity to speak about examples of work experience, such as an internships and placements, and how they were able to put their course knowledge into practice.
Multimedia Journalism student Antonia Dawson even got the chance to test her presenting skills by acting as the main host of the event, leading on the questions given to each of the panel members. She explained: ““The opportunity came up through Simon McKerrell, who had got in touch looking for a student who might be interested. I had previously been in touch with Simon with my CV, looking for work experience. He had obviously grasped I was into the whole presenting/public speaking side of journalism. I knew it would be a great opportunity for my portfolio of work. ”
Ruby Lawrence, who was organising the event in her role as Employability Manager at GCU, then got in touch and basically said she was looking for me to chair the discussion. At first I thought that would be fine but then the nerves started to kick in as it got closer and closer.”
Giving an honest reflection of their experiences, the students spoke of the different challenges they faced; as well as providing some food for thought when it comes to considering work experience.
Social Sciences student Justyna Sadovska, who has worked with GCU’s Scottish Poverty and Inequality Research Unit (SPIRU), discussed how her experience fuelled her passion for a research-based career. She said: “Working with SPIRU really helped start my interest in the research field.
A lot of the volunteering and research experience was gained when I went into the third year of my Social Sciences course – beforehand I wasn’t really sure what I was doing and what I actually wanted to do with my Social Sciences degree. My third year was really intense, but it helped lead to me to where my current interests are.”
Risk Management student Elizabeth Burns reveled at the idea of sharing her placement experience at nuclear site Sellafield as a way of inspiring other students. She said: “I’ve always been interested in the nuclear power sector, so I had been looking for opportunities in that area for quite a while. Third year was the first chance we had to do a placement in my course, but I took some time to search for ones that I would be interested in and that’s how I found the opportunity with Sellafield.
It was my first time having an opportunity to speak about my work experience in depth like that, so it was a real privilege. It made me feel like I had the chance to really do something and inspire other students.”
Business Management student Louis Evans used the platform to show students that being proactive truly pays off, using the example of his placement leading to a paid part-time role. Louis explained: “It’s so important that people have the confidence to put themselves out there.
I don’t think any of us realise how much potential we have, and I just think if I can help others understand their value then that might just be the things that allows them to move forward. I felt it would be beneficial to share my wisdom and my own experience through the showcase to help encourage others to go for their own placement.”
Find out more about work experience opportunities on the GCU Career’s webpage
By Rachael McAlonan
Got a SCEBE or GSBS story? Email me at Rachael.McAlonan@gcu.ac.uk or connect with me on social media here