Victoria was the first prize winner of our “Tell us your story” competition, winning a £50 Amazon voucher. She shares her journey so far:
As a student of Electronics and Computer Engineering at the University of Kent, I was unsure about my career path and how to take the next step towards employment. I knew I needed support to build my confidence, develop key employability skills, and explore the range of opportunities available to me.
The support I received from the Empower team—Hannah and Melissa—was transformative. They were incredibly approachable and encouraging, offering tailored one-to-one advice that made me feel seen and supported. They helped me explore career options I hadn’t considered before and took the time to review my CV and applications in detail. Their feedback was practical, empowering, and always aimed at helping me present myself in the best light to potential employers. With their guidance, I gained a clearer understanding of my strengths and how to communicate them effectively.
Thanks to the Empower programme, I experienced growth in several key areas:
- Increased confidence in my abilities and potential.
- Greater clarity about my career options and aspirations.
- Improved job applications through personalised feedback.
- Enhanced employability skills such as CV writing and interviewing.
- Secured employment in roles that align with my interests and goals.
- Built a professional network through university-based opportunities.
I also used the Empower bursary to purchase professional clothing for interviews. This helped me feel more confident and prepared during the recruitment process. I am now working in three part-time roles at the University of Kent, each of which supports current students and recent graduates:
- Graduate Outcomes Assistant (Research): I provide tailored career advice to Kent graduates via phone, consistently meeting performance targets while strengthening my communication and advisory skills.
- Empower Associate: I represent the Careers and Employability Service (CES) at events like the Careers Fair and Employability Festival, helping with event logistics, promoting services, and engaging with students across campus.
- Peer-Assisted Learning (PAL) Leader: I lead regular study support sessions for fellow students, offering academic guidance, study strategies, and advice on navigating university life.
These roles reflect the personal and professional growth I’ve achieved through the Empower programme—not just in confidence, but in acquiring meaningful experience that will carry into my future career.
Advice to Other Students
Go for it! The Empower team is friendly, approachable, and truly invested in your success. Even if you don’t have a clear career direction, they’ll work with you to figure it out and support you every step of the way.
I’m so grateful to the Empower team. Their support came at a time when I really needed it, and I’ll always appreciate the role they played in helping me take the next step in my career journey.