Here’s a quick round up of our top events this week:

All week: Creative Careers Week events

This week is National Careers Week and at Kent, we’re hosting a Creative Careers Week. We have events around TV and online broadcasting , gaming, the arts and much more.

Don’t miss the Kent and Creative Access Showcase on Monday, 17.00-18.00 to hear from Kent and Creative Access alumni about their creative careers in marketing, music, performing arts and television.

Monday: Consider your wellbeing

Our Student Support and Wellbeing Team are hosting a lunchtime tea and coffee drop-in session for students affected by the Ukrainian and Russian conflict at 13.00 in Keynes. This is open to all students and is facilitated by two Mental Health Advisors.

You can also try Sleepercise at Woody’s 15.00-16.00, which involves gentle background music, mats and blankets to create a feel-good and calming session.

Or give yoga a go, 17.15-18.15 at the Hub, Medway to calm your mind while moving your body.

Tuesday: International Women’s Day and British Asian Heritage Week deadline

Tuesday is International Women’s Day. Check out the Library’s Women’s History reading list if you want to find some books and resources on the topic. And keep a look out on our social media as we celebrate some of the amazing women at Kent.

Tuesday is also the deadline to share your stories and photos for British Asian Heritage Week at Kent. Did your family come to Britain from South Asia in the 30s, 40s, 50s or later? We’d love to hear from you.

Thursday: Kent Union Leadership Elections voting day and plant giveaway at Medway

Thursday is time to vote for your Kent Union full-time Officers! Your Kent Union Officers represent students across the University so make sure you cast your vote. Voting is open 7.00-22.00 and you can vote in person or online.

Student Support and Wellbeing will be outside Drill Hall Library 12.00-14.00 on Thursday giving away plants and answering your questions around mental health support as part of University Mental Health Day celebrations.

Friday: Kent Union Elections results night

The votes are in… who will be your new Kent Union Leadership Team for 2022/23? Come to the Venue, 18.00-21.00, to find out and celebrate with the candidates.

Browse all student events this week.

Thursday is University Mental Health Day! Find out what we’re doing at Kent and how you can join in.

University Mental Health Day is a national annual occurrence, this year on 3 March 2022, and is run jointly by Student Minds, a UK student mental health charity, and the University Mental Health Advisors Network (UMHAN), who provide support to students experiencing mental health difficulties in Higher Education.

We’re celebrating University Mental Health Day with a range of information and initiatives to help all students, wherever they may be studying, learn more about the wealth of wellbeing opportunities we have available. Look out for #UniKentWellbeing on the socials for more information. Could you use professional help for your mental health? Check out our Mental Health webpages for details of free support available to you.

Free plants!

To follow the theme of ‘Wellbeing and green spaces’, we are giving away free pot plants to any student who wants to come onto one of our campuses and grab one! We’ll be outside Templeman Library in Canterbury from 12.00-14.30 on Thursday 3 March, and outside Drill Hall Library in Medway from 12.00-14.00 on Thursday 10 March. Take a plant to nurture, and a flyer on lots of ways you can nurture yourself and boost your mental health with a variety of outdoor and indoor activities to connect with yourself and others.

Opportunities to Connect, Stay Active, Enhance Your Wellbeing

As well as giving away plants, there will be student volunteers and staff from all different departments ready to chat about all the different things you can get involved with alongside your studies to boost your mental health and general wellbeing. For example, the Kent Community Oasis Garden (KentCOG), is a welcoming green space on the Canterbury campus, where students, staff and community members work together to create a sustainability hub centred around growing food.

Are you looking to meet others who live nearby? The College and Community Life team run a real variety of events from monthly movie nights and cooking workshops, to mindfulness walks and day trips. Would you like to boost your physical health? You don’t need to be a sporting pro to try something new with Kent Sport – there are a range of social sessions including running, badminton, tennis and much more. Love to read? Put down the textbooks and pick up a novel with others! Choose from the Templeman Library’s ‘Love to Read’ or ‘Wellbeing and self-help’ collection to relax and escape or discuss books with others at the Book Club.

If you’re in Medway head to the Drill Hall Library to Pick and Paint a Pot, attend a Wellbeing Drop-In or take the opportunity to have a relaxing massage and de-stress; check out the Drill Hall Library events webpage for all the details.

Kent investing in mental health

Check out this podcast with Lee Fellows, Head of Student Support and Wellbeing, for more on what Kent is doing about student mental health.

Student Support and Wellbeing – professional support at university

Did you know that Kent has a professional support service of over 100 specialist staff? We’re here to support you with mental health, disabilities, and neurodiversity such as specific learning difficulties or autism, through 1:1 support as well as peer support groups and events. Here’s a video of top mental health tips from our mental health team.

Out of hours support

Feel like you really need to talk to someone but the Student Support offices are closed? Check out the Emergency Support page with details on online and telephone support available round the clock, such as our partners Spectrum Life, who you can call in the evenings and at weekends on 0800 0318227 pressing option 1; or Togetherall, the safe anonymous peer to peer online support forum free to Kent students.

Written by Natalia Crisanti, Student Services, on 23.02.22

In the run up to International Women’s Day,  our Careers and Employability Service invite you to be inspired and motivated by women in all kinds of jobs, to help you succeed in your chosen field.

International Women’s Day is celebrated on 8 March this year, and strives to bring people together to end bias, stereotypes and discrimination, working towards a world that’s diverse, equitable, and inclusive. The theme for 2022 is to #BreakTheBias.

We want to be part of the international mission ‘to forge inclusive work cultures where women’s careers thrive and their achievements are celebrated’, and so our Careers and Employability Service have put together a fantastic programme of in person and online events called ‘Inspiring Women Week’, open to all students at all stages, from 28 February to 4 March – see below for details and to book your place.

What’s on at Kent? Inspiring Women Week events:

BOOK NOW: Women breaking into tech: In conversation with Sparta Global on Monday 28 February 13.00-14.00 (online).

Technology needs more diversity, women are still severely under-represented in the digital sector. Join Sparta Global, an award-wining tech company focussed on diversity, for an informal conversation on how to land your dream digital role and become the next female role model.

BOOK NOW: ASPIRE: Female Founders on Tuesday 1 March 13.00-14.00 (online).

Three inspirational women share their experiences of starting and running their own business, giving their tips for getting started, and keeping going.

BOOK NOW: #IamRemarkable on Tuesday 1 March 14.00-15.30 (online).

#IamRemarkable is a Google initiative empowering women and underrepresented groups to speak openly about their accomplishments in the workplace and beyond, thereby breaking modesty norms and glass ceilings. In this interactive session, you will participate in group discussions and exercises to develop the confidence and skills to promote yourself effectively.

BOOK NOW: #BreaktheBias: Leading Change on Wednesday 2 March 13.00-14.00 (online).

Swale Borough Council is celebrating Leading Change this International Women’s Day with your opportunity to find out more about roles in conservation, climate change and local government’s role in tackling this monumental challenge, with many inspiring women discussing their experiences in both the public and private sector.

BOOK NOW: In conversation with Professor Christina Hughes: Building your network on Wednesday 2 March 16.30-17.30

Join Lara Cavill (Employer Engagement & Events Officer) in conversation with Christina Hughes, Honorary Professor and former Interim Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education and Student Experience) at the University of Kent and Founder and CEO of Women-Space, as they discuss overcoming the nervousness of networking to build a community of mutual support and opportunity; LinkedIn etiquette and how to “quietly network” in your organisation.

BOOK NOW: Overcoming shyness & imposter syndrome on Thursday 3 March 13.00-14.00.

Join Sam Fairbrother as she shares her career cringes, little wins, fails and triumphs. She will take you on her journey from studying, to interning, to finding a job, and now starting her own business.

BOOK NOW: The Female Entrepreneur: Victoria Rowley, Puddle Ducks on Friday 4 March 12.00-13.00 (online).

Victoria Rowley, owner of Puddle Ducks East Kent, North Kent & SE London will share her career journey from swimming instructor to owner of a successful franchise business. She will talk about what she has learnt as youngest franchisee across the Puddle Ducks network, top tips on running a business and how she kept her business afloat during the pandemic.

BOOK NOW: Shy Girl to Leading Woman – How Imperfection Can be Our Strongest Ally on Friday 4 March 14.00-15.00.

It is time to turn imposter syndrome on its head and discover how your own imperfections can be your strongest ally. Join Kent alum, Kinga, a 25-year-old international marketing agency founder, in a light-hearted discussion about her journey from being a timid shy girl, to doing all things possible at university to prove she’s good enough, to working for travel expenses alongside companies like Microsoft and NASA, to finding her business and working with billionaires and global entrepreneurs.

For the full programme and additional resources visit the Inspiring Women Week page.

More for International Women’s Day:

To see more online events taking place around the globe which you can join, take a look at the International Women’s Day Events online.

More to help your employability journey at Kent:

For more information on developing your employability skills, planning your career, improving your CV and practice interviews, check out the Careers and Employability Service website, where you can book 1:1 appointments with careers advisers and useful workshops. To stay up to date with the latest from the Careers Service, follow @UniKentEmploy.

Written by Natalia Crisanti, Student Services, 23.02.22

CoachBright are looking for Kent students to work with school pupils from low-income backgrounds to help them improve their grades, confidence and access to university.

As we navigate life in a post-covid world, it’s more important than ever that our most disadvantaged pupils are getting the support they need. Join us to help make education fairer!

It’s just one session a week for a total of 15 hours of tutoring. You’ll get full training in how to coach and will be paired with pupils and work together in an academic subject of your choice.

By volunteering with us, you will…

• Gain transferable skills in leadership, communication and relationship building.
• Gain experience in education and working with young people
• Get a formal student leadership accreditation to show for it
• Points towards university student awards
• Choose to work with Primary school, GCSE or A level students.
• Gain references and help with your future steps!

Apply online today.

Any questions? Please get in touch! Email team@coachbright.org

Step up, stand out and specialise – discover our career-focused programmes at Kent. We’ll be holding our Open Event on Wednesday 23 February 2022. The event offers both face-to-face and virtual options, providing an opportunity to meet our staff and current students, across our UK and European campuses.

Join a community that’s already shaping tomorrow’s world and discover where it could take you.

Book your place at the virtual event [12.00 – 14.00 UK time]

Book your place at the campus event [17.00 – 19.00 UK time]

What to expect at the Open Event:

Book a place at our open event here

Sharpen your focus and step up in your career this 2022. We look forward to seeing you soon.

Creative Access are offering 10 University of Kent students from under-represented backgrounds the chance to be partnered with a mentor working in the Creative Industries.

This is an exclusive opportunity to get one-to-one access to an experienced creative industry mentor who might share knowledge, open doors and broaden your career horizons. 

If your application is successful, you will be matched with a professional in line with your career interests and future aspirations. Mentoring partnerships last for 6 months and we recommend meeting monthly for approximately an hour each time.

We will provide training for mentees and mentors, links to further resources and a mentoring agreement for both parties to complete together. The Creative Access team will be on hand to support you and your mentor throughout the process. 

Please include as much detail in your application as you can so we can find a suitable mentor for you, plus explain how much this would benefit you. We look forward to receiving your application!

To apply – submit this form by 17.00, Monday 28 February 2022.

The National Student Survey (NSS) 2022 is now live at The University of Kent. The survey is open to eligible final year undergraduates, who can complete it today.

Free hot drink!

To say thanks for completing the survey, the University will be offering you a free hot drink on campus until 21 February 2022. See how to claim your free hot drink online.

What is the NSS?

The NSS is the largest UK wide annual survey aimed at final year undergraduates in the UK.

The survey provides students with an opportunity to give their honest opinions on what you liked about your course at the University of Kent as well as things that you feel could have been improved.

The survey is administered by Ipsos MORI, an independent market research agency on behalf of the UK Higher Education funding and regulatory bodies, so your responses remain anonymous to your university or college at all times.

Why should I take part?

• The NSS provides you with the opportunity to provide honest feedback on your student experience;
• Your opinions will be used to improve the student experience at the University of Kent;
• The feedback you submit is taken very seriously and informs the quality assurance system with regards to teaching quality;
• Results are published and used by prospective students, their families and advisors to make decisions on what and where to study through course comparison websites like Discover Uni.

More information about the NSS is available at the OfS website.

What happens with the results?

The NSS results are published to help prospective students, their families and advisors make informed decisions of where and what to study. This is available on Discover Uni.

Universities/colleges and supporting Student Unions also use the data to identify areas of strengths and weaknesses and bring about change to improve the experience for future generations of students.

Inappropriate influence

A student guide on inappropriate influence sets out what the NSS is and how it is promoted by providers. The guide details what may constitute inappropriate influence and the types of promotion universities and colleges are, or are not, allowed to undertake. It provides details on the help and support available to you – if you feel you are being or have been influenced in how to respond to the survey, along with the process in place to investigate allegations of inappropriate influence and what happens in case of a breach of guidance.

Your Views, Your NSS at the University of Kent.

A professional looking LinkedIn profile is an essential aspect of enhancing your chances of securing graduate employment.

On Tuesday 8 February, 9.30-16.00, the Careers & Employability Service is offering students the chance to have a professional portrait taken by Matt Cook Photography, free of charge, which can be used for their profile.

On the day:

• This is being run as a drop-in session, whereby you turn up, add your name to the list and are seen in turn. This enables the photographer to see as many students as possible. Please allow time to wait, if necessary.
• Whilst we will endeavour to see all students that attend, this will be dependent on attendance numbers. We therefore cannot guarantee that you will be seen on the day.
• It is recommended you attend in business/smart attire.

Terms of Service

The photographer will be responsible for selecting the most suitable image during the session and undertaking the necessary editing work to ensure the image is suitable. No further editing of images supplied by Matt Cook Photography is permitted. Matt Cook Photography retains the entire copyright of the image and these may be displayed online for the purposes of advertising his work.

If you do not wish for your image to be used for promotional purposes, please ensure this is clearly communicated to the photographer.

The final images will be supplied to the students via a password protected online gallery and this will be made available within 1-4 weeks following the completion of the session.

More information.

We have partnered with Sharing Perspectives Foundation and Soliya to offer Kent students the opportunity to engage with peers around the world in small groups and gain practical experience in constructive communication and cross-cultural collaboration, through virtual exchange.

Opportunities Available

Climate Movements – 14 March – 13 May 2022

Explore themes around climate change, movement of people, climate refugees and politics of un/sustainability in this 9-week course.  You will have weekly 2-hr sessions where participants can exchange ideas and perspectives in their intercultural, online group, stimulated by video lectures and audio-visual materials. Apply by 14 February 2022.

Connect Collaborate – 4 April – 6 May 2022

During this 5-week course, you will engage with peers around the world in small groups, exploring the themes of Inequality or Technology (you can choose). You will meet online for weekly 2hrs meetings and in your groups, create a social media awareness campaign, and an infographic that will accompany the campaign. 

Global Circles, various dates

These 2 week facilitated dialogue sessions are ideal for those who are unable to commit to a longer course.  Availability is limited and attributed on a first come, first served basis. Learn more about the topics, dates and how to apply.  

Why join a virtual exchange?

Virtual exchange allows students to engage in meaningful, cross-cultural experiences as part of their education. It can broaden access to international learning for every student, regardless of their circumstances, background or ability. These projects provide the framework for you to develop their cross-cultural attitudes, skills, and communication in addition to improving your digital literacy skills valued by employers.

More information about these exciting new opportunities and how to apply.

We’ll be holding an Open Event on Wednesday 23 February 2022, offering both face-to-face and virtual options.

Meet and chat to our academics and support staff, learn about funding and scholarship awards, and attend a Q&A panel with current students who progressed from undergraduate to postgraduate at Kent.

Come along and find out more about postgraduate life and what’s on offer for you, including exclusive scholarships, as a Kent grad.

Book your place at the virtual event [12.00 – 14.00 UK time]

Book your place at the campus event [17.00 – 19.00 UK time]

Continue to pursue exciting areas in your field or a new area altogether, develop your skills and stand out.

Kent’s range of career-focused programmes will give you that employability edge and connect you to some incredible opportunities.

The entry requirement for many of our postgraduate courses is an actual or projected 2:2 and we’ll be taking a flexible approach, considering each student individually.