How part-time work at the university built my transferable skills

Student ambassadors on Jubilee Campus

By Leena Ravindra, second year BSc Pharmacology

Working part-time at university helped me grow in ways I didn’t fully expect. It strengthened my confidence, taught me responsibility, and gave me practical skills that continue to shape my development today.

These experiences formed a strong foundation that I now build on in both academic and career settings.

Finding opportunities on campus

Exploring roles around campus made me realise just how many student opportunities exist.

You can work as a subject ambassador, support events as a student ambassador, become a library assistant, or find flexible shifts through Unitemps. These roles fit conveniently around your timetable, allow you to meet new people, and help you discover strengths you may not have known you had.

My key experiences

I began as a subject ambassador, supporting open days and campus tours. This allowed me to engage with prospective students and parents, developing strong communication skills and building confidence in public speaking. Working with diverse audiences also helped me adapt quickly and communicate clearly.

Later, I became a subject ambassador for my course, which gave me more academically focused responsibilities. I gained mentoring skills, learned how to share my student experience effectively, and represented both my course and the wider university. These experiences built the confidence I needed to apply for other part-time roles.

I also started working in retail, where customer service became a fundamental workplace skill. I learned how to stay calm under pressure, support people with different needs, and solve problems on the spot. These interactions taught me adaptability, teamwork, and resilience — examples I now confidently use in interviews.

Financial and long-term benefits

Another advantage of part-time work is the financial independence it offers while you build essential employability skills.

You develop time management, teamwork, communication, and professionalism — all of which strengthen your CV. Even if the role isn’t related to your long-term career goals, the transferable skills you gain are incredibly valuable.

Applying for part-time roles also gave me early experience of applications and interviews. Doing this in a low-pressure setting made the process of applying for placements and graduate roles much less intimidating. I learned how to prepare strong applications, answer interview questions effectively, and understand what employers are looking for.

Most importantly, part-time work gives you real experiences to draw from. Whether it’s handling a challenging situation, working in a team, or taking initiative, these examples make your interview answers more authentic and memorable.

Working part-time helped me understand my strengths, refine my CV, and grow in confidence. It shaped me not only as a student, but as a future professional.

Explore part-time opportunities at the University of Nottingham

If you’d like to start your own journey, here are some useful places to look:

• Unitemps – flexible on and off- campus roles

• Students' Union jobs – part-time roles through the SU

• Student Ambassador positions  – recruited through individual faculties

• Subject Ambassador roles – contact your school office

• Library roles – advertised through the university's job portal

• Careers and Employability Service – support with CVs, interviews, and applications

If you need help identifying the skills you've gained from your part-time work, book an appointment with one of our advisers. They can help you identify, articulate and present your skills effectively for job or course applications.