Liza Ravindrasubagaran
By Liza Ravindra, psychology and cognitive neuroscience student
When I first arrived in the UK as a full-time international student, I knew there would be limits, especially around working hours. What I didn’t expect was how many opportunities I’d find within those limits, and how much they would shape both my personal growth and professional confidence.
My roles
Finding my footing wasn’t easy. Like many international students, I wasn’t sure where to begin when it came to part-time work. But over time, I found on-campus roles that didn’t just fit into my schedule, but also aligned with my goals and interests. Among them, I’ve had the privilege of serving as a Co-President of Nottingham Nightline, the university’s student-run mental health listening service. Also, one of the most transformative experiences has been working as an Operations Administrator for the Careers and Employability Service (CES).
These roles gave me room to be creative while also helping me build confidence interacting with students in a professional capacity, communicating with university staff as colleagues, and even engaging with external stakeholders. These experiences have been incredibly useful in my role leading a student-run charity, where communication, coordination, and professionalism are key.
Flexible working made it possible
One of the biggest factors in managing my time has been the flexibility of my CES role. The Student Operations team has been incredibly supportive in allowing me to work hours that fit around my academic timetable and within my visa restrictions.
Working in operations gave me a behind-the-scenes understanding of how the university supports student career development. From coordinating events to handling logistics, I built real-world administrative skills that I’ll carry into any workplace. It also boosted my confidence in working in professional environments in the UK — something that can feel intimidating at first as an international student.
Leadership outside academics
Leading a student charity like Nottingham Nightline has been one of the most rewarding parts of my university experience. Nightline provides confidential support to students by students, and being part of it has taught me everything from safeguarding to crisis management — and above all, compassion.
As President, I’ve had to balance responsibilities like recruiting volunteers, managing communications, and advocating for better student mental health — all while juggling my studies and work. It’s intense at times, but it’s made me more resilient, more organised, and more committed to building a supportive university community.
Making sense of it all through the NAA
The Nottingham Advantage Award gave me space to reflect on the leadership journey I’ve been on. Through the UoNSU Student Leaders module, I explored how my roles at Nightline and CES shaped the kind of leader I am — and the kind of leader I want to be.
I realised that leadership doesn’t always look like giving speeches or managing big teams. Sometimes, it’s listening well. Sometimes, it’s quietly fixing what no one else noticed was broken. The module helped me connect my work, my volunteering, and my future aspirations. As part of the module, I completed a Strengths Profile, which helped me clearly identify the areas I naturally excel in, as well as areas I had been undervaluing.
It gave me clarity on my leadership style — one that’s empathetic, proactive, and people-focused — and helped me realise how I could better showcase these strengths in both work and volunteering settings. It also highlighted areas I could develop further, which gave me a more focused direction for personal growth. Having that structured reflection built into the module made the whole experience feel more intentional and impactful.
What I've learned about balancing it all
• Time management is everything. I plan my week in advance and use tools like the Outlook Calendar to protect my priorities.
• Communication matters. Whether it’s with line managers or society execs, being clear and realistic has helped me build trust.
• Your limitations can be your strengths. Having a 20-hour cap during term time pushed me to focus on meaningful, flexible roles that align with my goals.
• Reflection is key. Don’t just do a role — think about what it’s teaching you.
Final thoughts
Being an international student with a part-time work limit hasn’t held me back — in many ways, it’s focused me. My roles at Nightline and CES have taught me just as much as my lectures, and the support from both teams has made that balance sustainable.
If you’re an international student thinking about taking on leadership or part-time work, I’d say: go for it. With the right support, flexibility, and time management, it’s more than possible — it’s empowering.
Useful Links
• Part-time and vacation work
• Nottingham Advantage Award
Want to know more about the NAA? Find out more about the Nottingham Advantage Award and the wide range of modules on offer on our website.
Posted on Wednesday 9th July 2025