NEWS
Student ambassadors clearing the way for future students
While many students use the summer break to escape from their studies, some enthusiastic students used their time to support teenagers receiving their A level results.
Student ambassadors Emma Pilgrim and Lauren Baker from the Lancaster campus and Rachel Dawson from the Carlisle campus worked with the university to man the Clearing call centre, tackle clearing admissions forms and give guided tours of the campuses at the open day.
On 18 August it was ‘all hands on deck’ as hundreds of students called the hotline to make enquiries about available places on courses starting in September 2011.
For Emma, 20, the Clearing process brought back some memories as she too secured a place last minute. Emma, studying BSc (Hons) Secondary Education with ICT, said: “I got my place through clearing in 2009. When I visited the campus in Lancaster it was so friendly and had a great atmosphere, I knew it was the place I wanted to be.
“I worked on Clearing last year too and I think, because I was once in their shoes, I can offer prospective students some advice and hopefully make the process run smoothly for them. I remember feeling so nervous and unsure and I want to help as much as I can. It does work out in the end, after all!”
Lauren (20) is a Lancaster-based primary teaching student. She worked with admissions staff at the university in the run up to Clearing, checking details and collecting information. Once the Clearing period started, Lauren supported the team of staff to issue confirmations to students accepted through Clearing or who have been on a course waiting list.”
Louise Gray, UK Recruitment Officer said: “The student ambassadors play a vital role within the university, so having them work with us through Clearing is a benefit to everybody. Not only can they relate to the students, but there really isn’t anybody better to tell prospective students what life is really like at the University of Cumbria.”
Volunteering the speed dating way!
For those who had been considering doing some voluntary work but didn’t know where to start, an event held at the Fusehill Street campus may have been the answer!
Bringing together many voluntary organisations from across north Cumbria, potential volunteers were able to find out everything they needed to know – in one easy step.
Volunteering speed dating is a concept that developed from discussions between university lecturer Ashley Tiffen, Cumbria CVS and Volunteer Centres Cumbria, who joined with the university to organise Volunteer Awareness Day. It was held in the Learning Gateway on Tuesday 8 November and was open to the general public as well as staff and students.
Ashley is senior lecturer in policing at the university’s Penrith campus and explains: “At a time when so many prospective employers are looking for potential employees with the skills to succeed in the workplace, volunteering provides an opportunity to not only develop and refine those skills, but to demonstrate that you have them.
“All of our guest organisations provide valuable services to our communities and the university is pleased to be able to bring everyone together.”
Volunteering Awareness Day saw presentations from Cumbria CVS, Cumbria Police Authority, NSPCC, Age UK Carlisle and Eden, CRI, Cumbria Fire and Rescue and University of Cumbria’s Students’ Union.
Voluntary organisations manned stands around the building so people could ‘speed date’ with them, finding out which volunteering opportunities were available and most suitable for them. Organisations looking for volunteers included: Scouts, CADAS, Community Projects Carlisle, Alzheimer’s Society, Caritas Care, Carlisle Youth Zone, Circles of Support, NSPCC, Carers Association, Age UK Carlisle and Eden and Cumbria Fire and Rescue.
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