Risk Management students receives Student of the Year at industry gala dinner

A final year student has boosted her self-confidence after being awarded Student of the Year by a well established industry body.

Final year Risk Management student Hannah McGoldrick was invited to attend the Insurance and Actuarial Society of Glasgow Annual Dinner on Friday 29 November, an event designed to celebrate the talent and collaboration amongst its members.

The event, which was joined by 600 industry professionals, invited students from the Finance and Risk Management programmes at GCU in recognition of their hard work.

The night allowed students to develop networks with members of the industry and even GCU Alumni who have since progressed in their careers.

The night proved to be successful for GCU  students Hannah McGoldrick and Andrew Stevenson, who both received Student of the Year for their respective programmes.

Hannah received the award for Student of the Year in the Risk Management degree, which has now provided the motivation she needs to complete her final year.

What helped you decide to choose to study Risk Management at GCU?

“Before joining the programme, I wasn’t even aware of the degree in Risk Management. I was, of course, familiar with the concept of risk as a whole, but not the specific academic pathway of studying it as a degree. In hindsight, I feel Risk Management is definitely more of a “niche” area compared to something like Law, which is what I originally studied for two years. At that time, I had no intention of changing my academic path—I genuinely enjoyed studying Law and felt committed to it.

However, after I attended a presentation by a GCU lecturer about the Risk Management program. It immediately piqued my interest, particularly the focus on Cybersecurity, which really captured my attention. That initial spark of interest has stayed with me, and it’s actually the foundation for my dissertation topic. While cybersecurity remains a key area of fascination for me, I quickly realised that Risk Management as a discipline encompasses so much more.

It’s an incredibly broad and dynamic field, touching on countless aspects of everyday life and professional practice. That versatility and the variety of avenues within Risk Management have made it an exciting and deeply engaging area to study. Looking back, I’m so grateful I made the decision to pivot my focus, as it has opened doors to opportunities I hadn’t even considered before.”

How did you first hear about the opportunity to attend the Insurance and Actuarial Society of Glasgow Annual Dinner?

“I was honoured to be invited to the Insurance and Actuarial Society of Glasgow Annual Dinner by Dr. Patrick Ring, along with two other students from my course, three from Finance, and Dr. Jane Burt. Attending as such a small group made the experience feel quite intense, but it also made me incredibly proud. Being selected based on academic performance was a significant moment for me—it provided real clarity that I was on the right track toward successful completion of my degree.

The evening was a tremendous success. We were seated at a table with professionals currently working in the field, which was a fantastic opportunity to engage with them. Speaking to individuals who are actively working in roles I aspire to pursue in the near future was inspiring. It gave me insight into the practical applications of what we’ve been studying and a clearer vision of my career path.

The event wasn’t just about networking, although we made the most of the opportunity to connect with industry professionals. It was also wonderful to chat more informally with Patrick and Jane, moving beyond the lecture setting. Having the chance to get to know them on a personal level and hear their perspectives added a new dimension to my appreciation of their guidance throughout the program.

Later in the evening, we had the opportunity to speak with previous Risk students who graduated from GCU over three years ago. Their advice was invaluable—they shared tips on dissertation submission, navigating the graduate job market, and preparing for life after university.”

How did it feel when it was announced that you had won the award for Risk Management Student of the Year? Were you aware that you were nominated beforehand?

“I had absolutely no idea I had been nominated for the award until the night of the dinner—it caught me completely off guard. In hindsight, maybe it was a bit naive of me not to have suspected anything, but I genuinely didn’t anticipate how the evening would unfold. When I heard my name being announced and saw it displayed on the screens for everyone to see, I was utterly shocked.

The event was made even more special by the presence of some incredible potential employers in the audience. Knowing that they witnessed my achievement added an extra layer of significance to the recognition. It was a fantastic opportunity to showcase my hard work and accomplishments to those who could play a role in shaping my future career. The experience left me feeling both honoured and motivated to continue my studies.”

Now looking back to the beginning of your studies, is this something that you would have ever imagined happening?

“I’ve always been someone who gives 100% to everything I do, but I never imagined I would receive an award for being the best-performing student in the course overall. It was an incredibly humbling and unexpected moment for me. Being a direct entrant into the program halfway through wasn’t an easy journey. I wasn’t familiar with the university—everything was completely new. To add to the challenge, most of my peers had already spent two years together, forming friend groups. It was intimidating, and I can’t deny that I struggled at times to find my footing both academically and socially.

Receiving this award has encouraged me to take a step back and truly give myself some credit—a well-deserved pat on the back. Despite the social challenges and the process of navigating a new environment, I didn’t allow any of it to impact the quality of my work or my results. This recognition serves as a reminder of my resilience and dedication, reinforcing my belief that hard work and determination can lead to remarkable achievements, even in the face of significant challenges.”

Looking ahead to the end of your degree, how will this help you in terms of your confidence and career prospects?

“This experience has significantly boosted my confidence in myself and my abilities. Transitioning from university to a graduate job can be a daunting prospect, as it involves applying everything we’ve learned in theory to real-world practice. However, I remind myself that I am more than capable of meeting these challenges. With dedication and hard work, I am confident that my efforts will yield positive results.

Receiving the award came at the perfect time, providing a much-needed boost of motivation as I returned after the Christmas break. It reinvigorated my determination to make the most of the final months of my studies and to successfully complete my dissertation. This recognition has been a powerful reminder of what I can achieve, inspiring me to face the next chapter with optimism and resilience.”

By Rachael McAlonan

Got a SCEBE or GSBS story? Email me at Rachael.McAlonan@gcu.ac.uk or connect with me on social media