Say hello to your GCU Student Life team - Rachael McAlonan

What’s your job role?

Student Engagement & Communications Assistant.

I started this role back in 2018, when the team was new and just starting out. In a nutshell, my role involves acting as the Student Communications link for the School of Computing, Engineering & the Built Environment (SCEBE) as well as parts of the Glasgow School of Business & Society.

Our job involves promoting student activity within these schools, as well as focusing on ways of increasing overall engagement. You’ll also find me appearing in GCU Student Life photos and videos embarrassing myself as much as possible!

What’s your favourite thing about working at GCU?

Definitely getting to know students! We get to meet students from across the university and hear about their amazing stories. It definitely puts me to shame when I was a student, but it’s so good to know about the type of people we have here at GCU. My team is brilliant too, of course! 

What did you study at uni?

I started out by studying HND Practical Journalism at the City of Glasgow College and then went on to study Media & Communications at GCU. I graduated in July 2018 and started working at GCU in November 2018, so wasn’t away for very long!

Where else have you worked?

This is a quite a long list! As a student, I worked in places like Amazon, Morrisons, Bon Marche and Hollister; those years of retails have shaped the lady I am today.

I’ve also worked for various online magazines, the Royal Television Society, Virgin Media and STV, so quite a varied working life! I’ve always been interested in media, so I’ve definitely tried to work in as many areas as I could.

What is an interesting fact about yourself?

I volunteer as a Mentor for an organisation called MCR Pathways; which is an organisation helping support young people who may be struggling to engage with their education.

As a Mentor, I meet with a young person who was matched up with me based on our interests and each week I catch up with them for an hour while they’re in school. The aim is to basically help increase their confidence and help them reach their potential. I’ve been doing this for a few months now and it’s been great!

What’s your guilty pleasure?

I love to watch really bad films; like, so bad they’re cheesy! Me and my friend from the Isle of Lewis will take time each month to watch a film that we think looks terrible and watch them together via video chat or message.

We started doing it at first as a joke, but it’s become a regular activity now!

If you were a drink what would you be?

A pina colada! Mainly because I am very pale (like a pina colada) but I can be sweet as well.

If you could choose any language to be fluent in what would it be and why?

Either French or Spanish! The language I’ve learned the most growing up was French, but it would be great to be able to actually have a conversation with someone in the language (and not just ‘une regle’ which we get taught in school).

Spanish as well, because it’s widely spoken in the world and it sounds really nice!

What is something you’re really interested in?

I actually really enjoy doing special effects makeup! I’m a big fan of Halloween, and when I was in my teens I decided to start practicing special effects makeup for costumes and the hobby went from there!

I’ve worked on student films as a makeup artist, creating effects ranging from bruises, horrible looking cuts and even had to make someone look like a corpse! I haven’t done it in a while now due to working full time, but the makeup bag always comes out near Halloween.

This or that…

Music or podcast?

I’ve started getting into podcasts recently, but music always wins!   

Poppadoms or bread ?

HAS to be bread, and it has to come with a dip. Aioli or balsamic vinegar ideally!   

Still or sparkling water?

Still water all the way. The only time I will touch sparkling water is if it contains lime cordial!

Staying in or going out?

In my younger years I would have said going out, but a cosy night in is a winner - especially if it involves food and a movie.

City break or beach holiday?

Despite being especially pale, I love a beach holiday! I’ve been to some great beach holidays growing up and I have some great memories from them. I can’t tan to save my life, but I do get freckles so that’s something! 

Apple or Android?

Android all the way!   

Cheeseboard or sweet treat?

Easy one, has to be a sweet treat. Apple desserts are the way to my heart, especially apple pie.