![\"Student](\"http:\/\/blogs.kent.ac.uk\/student-news\/files\/2025\/07\/Victoria-Oladele-competition-winner.jpeg\")
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\nAs 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.<\/p>\n
The support I received from the Empower team\u2014Hannah and Melissa\u2014was transformative. They were incredibly approachable and encouraging, offering tailored one-to-one advice that made me feel seen and supported.\u00a0They helped me explore career options I hadn\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n
Thanks to the Empower programme, I experienced growth in several key areas:<\/p>\n
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- Increased confidence<\/b>\u00a0in my abilities and potential.<\/li>\n
- Greater clarity<\/b>\u00a0about my career options and aspirations.<\/li>\n
- Improved job applications<\/b>\u00a0through personalised feedback.<\/li>\n
- Enhanced employability skills<\/b>\u00a0such as CV writing and interviewing.<\/li>\n
- Secured employment<\/b>\u00a0in roles that align with my interests and goals.<\/li>\n
- Built a professional network<\/b>\u00a0through university-based opportunities.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
I also used the Empower bursary to purchase professional clothing for interviews. This helped me feel more confident and prepared during the recruitment process.\u00a0I am now working in three part-time roles at the University of Kent, each of which supports current students and recent graduates:<\/p>\n
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- Graduate Outcomes Assistant (Research):<\/b>\u00a0I provide tailored career advice to Kent graduates via phone, consistently meeting performance targets while strengthening my communication and advisory skills.<\/li>\n
- Empower Associate:<\/b>\u00a0I 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.<\/li>\n
- Peer-Assisted Learning (PAL) Leader:<\/b>\u00a0I lead regular study support sessions for fellow students, offering academic guidance, study strategies, and advice on navigating university life.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
These roles reflect the personal and professional growth I\u2019ve achieved through the Empower programme\u2014not just in confidence, but in acquiring meaningful experience that will carry into my future career.<\/p>\n
Advice to Other Students<\/b><\/p>\n
Go for it!<\/b>\u00a0The Empower team is friendly, approachable, and truly invested in your success. Even if you don\u2019t have a clear career direction, they\u2019ll work with you to figure it out and support you every step of the way.<\/p>\n
I\u2019m so grateful to the Empower team. Their support came at a time when I really needed it, and I\u2019ll always appreciate the role they played in helping me take the next step in my career journey.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"