"It's great helping Nottingham students to succeed"

Have you had an interesting and successful career?
By sharing your professional skills and insights, you can help shape the future of our students.

That’s exactly what Emma Barnett (History and Politics 2006), radio presenter and Women’s Editor of The Telegraph, and Tim Smith (Law, 1991), lawyer and partner at the firm Berwin Leighton Paisner, did when they came back to University to talk to students about their experiences.

Emma came back to our University Park campus to deliver a key note speech as part of the United Nations HeForShe Campaign, a global movement for gender equality.

Students’ Union President Angharad Smith said: “It’s an amazing experience for students when inspirational role models like Emma give their time and share their insights with us. I know students left her talk feeling inspired and empowered. We would love more alumni and friends to come back as volunteers and do the same.”

While Emma spoke about women's ambitions in our changing world, Tim came back to talk to Philosophy students about his career in the legal profession. 

Tim's experience as a guest speaker

Tim chats to students after his lecture

“By sharing my experiences, I released I could help give Nottingham students a bit of an edge” said Tim. "In the legal profession, it’s very hard to get a training contract or entry-level position – there’s so much competition and students are expected to have it all – the knowledge, finesse and polish. I wanted to show them how the skills and techniques they are developing through study can be applied to different professions. Volunteering for the University gives me the chance to do something that interests me personally and give back to an institution that helped launch me on my way. I hope others feel the same – it’s great spending time helping Nottingham students succeed.”

 
So what did our students think?

“It was uplifting to hear how our degree techniques could be valuable outside university. It gave me the confidence to tell future employers about the benefits of having a philosophy graduate on their team, plus the self-assurance to explain how my skills could be transferred.”
Daisy Foster (Philosophy 2015) 

“I make no hesitation in directly attributing to Tim my ability to articulate concisely and persuasively. Having graduated, I am now in a recruitment role where the ability to remain clear and direct while making a persuasive case is central to success. Tim’s lecture will serve me for years to come.”
Ruth Ng (Philosophy 2015)

Can you follow in Emma and Tim's footsteps?

We have year-round opportunities from careers talks and industry insights to helping shape our curriculum and student employability. 

Find out more