ALUMNI NEWS Winter 2020 Edition
Contents
ONTENT
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Contents
5 Welcome 6
Supporting our students
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Alumni mentoring scheme
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Events and opportunities
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Our amazing alumni
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Alumni reunion 2020
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As alumni of the University of Suffolk your impact is wide reaching. Recent issues of this newsletter have focused on your role as our ambassadors, how you can reconnect with the University and the benefits you can receive by doing so. Through this issue I want to take an opportunity to highlight the importance of our alumni community in supporting our learning and teaching, and helping to shape the future lives of our students through mentoring and sharing your experiences. The University is committed to ensuring that all of our students graduate equipped to take the first steps on long, successful and enriching careers, as enquiring professionals, creatives and entrepreneurs. This underpins our learning and teaching strategy “Transforming Lives� informing how we are moving to design our programmes, and encourage students to develop their confidence and skills through placements, internships and volunteering opportunities. It also shapes some of the targets we have set in our Access and Participation Plan, looking to reduce inequalities in successful progression to future study or highly skilled employment between some of our students. But we want to do more, to offer our students more. Helping our students to understand how to navigate uncertainty, and perceived barriers; helping our students understand their potential and how to achieve their goals is something that we feel is best done by those who have lived those same experiences. Having access
Welcome
WELCOME to successful role models and mentors is critical to this, and we think our alumni are best placed to undertake this role. As you read through this issue, please take a moment to reflect on your own journey to success. In remembering how you came into our community and how you developed through the course of your studies, I hope you will recognise how far you have come, and how you could support our current students in identifying their own future paths to success. I hope you will consider joining our Alumni Mentoring Scheme, and help make our strategy to transform lives a truly lived experience. Dr Ellen Buck Director of Learning and Teaching
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SUPPORT OUR STU Supporting our students
As graduates you are in a unique position to share the skills and expertise you have developed since completing your studies. We recognise the considerable impact our graduates can have on our current students and the rich experience you can offer. If you are interested in sharing your skills and knowledge, we have several opportunities to do so: Providing case study material Guest lecturing/guest speaking Career talks Attendance at networking events Mentoring Providing placements, internships, volunteering or research opportunities to current students
Call the team on 01473 338067 or email alumni@uos.ac.uk Providing case study material We regularly catch up with alumni to see what they are up to, many are happy to share their story with us. These stories are published on our website and linked to our degree programme information online, providing valuable insight for prospective students on why people choose Suffolk to study and their experiences as students with us. If this is something you would like to be involved in please contact the team for more information.
Supporting our students
TING UDENTS
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ALUMNI MENTORING SCHEME Could you be a mentor? Our new Alumni Mentoring Scheme is here, offering a unique experience for both alumni and current students. The scheme, still in it’s pilot stage, will provide our current students with access to real people in real jobs, harnessing the skills and experiences developed by all of you since you have graduated. The pilot stage is focusing on those studying on our Economics, Banking and Finance and Accounting and Financial Management degrees, however we will be extending the offer to all students by the end of the year.
Alumni mentoring scheme
Many universities offer mentoring to their students, some focus on careers, some specifically on the development of academic skills. We want our programme to encompass all and be flexible, broad in focus and student driven model allowing the student to access the very best of support and guidance in their chosen field of study. Mentoring is a great way for current students to link with alumni in order to gain valuable insight, experience and skills over a specific period of time. We want to give as much support as possible to our students to enhance their employability skills and ensure they are ready for the world of work.
Why become a mentor? To enhance your professional development To provide advice and support to others To help students find the right direction for them To help students to increase their self-esteem and confidence To help students to find their strengths and realise their full potential An opportunity to share your skills and expertise Gain personal satisfaction and awareness Mentor criteria You must have graduated University of Suffolk or UCS with an HE award. You must be able to meet with your mentee in person or converse by phone or online via email or Skype You must be able to give at least 1-2 hours per month for a period of 6 months You must adhere to all of the necessary professional boundary guidance and safeguarding regulations If you would like more information on becoming a mentor, please contact Kate for more information on alumni@uos.ac.uk
Events and opportunities
EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES There are a broad range of events and opportunities available during March, April and May at the University which are all open to alumni. Keep an eye on social media or visit our events page for more information. Digital Archaeological: AI for Ancient Games Wednesday 4 March 2020 Find out more
Gals that Game Friday 17 April 2020 Find out more Open Event Saturday 25 April 2020 Find out more Sexting, Pornography and Trolling Monday 30 April 2020 Find out more
The Changing Landscape of Religion and Belief: Standing at the Crossroads Wednesday 18 March 2020 Find out more
Domestic Abuse Conference Wednesday 20 May 2020 Find out more
Symposium in Sports Science Tuesday 25 March 2020 Find out more
Alumni Reunion 2020 Wednesday 29 April 2020 Book here
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OUR AMAZING ALUMNI Rachel Churcher Author FdSc Architectural Technology, Class of 2013 When I started my Foundation Degree in Architectural Technology at UCS, I was excited about retraining as an Architectural Technologist, and using my skills to help other people improve their homes. I had completed a major house renovation before I moved to Suffolk, and I wanted to be able to turn my hobby into a career. I graduated in 2013, and went on to renovate three more properties. My training gave me the confidence to decide what to work on myself, and when to bring in specialists. It helped me stand up to builders and contractors, and to make sure everything was completed to a high standard. So am I working as an Architectural Technologist in 2020? Not exactly. Thinking back, my project on Zombie-Proof Housing might provide the clues to my current career. Most of the students on the FdSc course were studying on day release
I conducted plenty of research to make sure my design ideas would be safe and effective against a zombie invasion. I read everything from World War Z to survivalist manuals and the construction details of real-world fortified buildings. I compiled a design brief and an outline plan for my house, and I gave my presentation. I was very happy to receive a Merit for the assignment.
They told me that publishers aren’t buying Young Adult dystopia’s. The Hunger Games, Divergent, and The Maze Runner did really well, but now they are looking for the Next Big Thing, and YA dystopia is out of date. They told me that it would take two to three years for my books to make it onto the shelves, if they made it at all. With a Brexit deadline fast approaching, this would make my books obsolete long before publication. And they told me that publishers don’t want to buy a complete series – they want to buy Book One, and make changes. This would mean that Books Two to Five would be redundant, and I would need to throw them away and start again.
Our amazing alumni
from jobs in the construction industry, and one of our assignments required us to give a presentation on a project we were involved with professionally. I wasn’t working in construction during my degree, so instead of writing about my completed home renovation, I asked permission to base my assignment on the design and construction of a zombie-proof house.
Becky Baker
So I did some research. I read about publishing. I read about agents. I read about traditional publishing and indie publishing. I took courses. I talked to people in the industry. And I made a plan.
Lecturer in Midwifery
So what am I working on today? After getting my hands dirty demolishing walls, taking out kitchens and bathrooms, and painting and decorating the completed houses, I took a break to figure out where I wanted my career to go. And I realised that what I really wanted to do was write novels. The zombies had inspired me to channel my creativity into words, instead of diagrams, calculations, and paint brushes. Following the 2016 Brexit referendum, I was inspired to write a near-future dystopia based in the UK. I’ve been a fan of science fiction and dystopian stories since I was at school, and the almost 50-50 split of the referendum vote made me think about politics, public opinion, and how easy it would be to slide into totalitarianism and isolationism. I wrote a series of five novels, aimed at the 13-20 Young Adult age group, and then I started looking for an agent to represent me and my writing to potential publishers. Finding an agent is a long and frustrating process, and as a writer you get used to rejections. When I finally had the opportunity to speak to an agent in person, the news wasn’t good.
Today, all five books have been published, ahead of the Brexit deadline. I spent 2019 setting up an indie publishing house, Taller Books, and using it to publish my series. Book One, Battle Ground, was launched at the Young Adult Literature Convention in London in July 2019, and I published the rest of the series every six weeks, with Book Five going live on January 9th 2020. I use Amazon as my publishing platform, so my books are available for Kindle and Kindle Unlimited, and paperback copies are printed on demand when a reader places an order. This means that I don’t need to pay in advance for a print run of books, and no one has to store copies until they are sold. My eBooks are professionally produced for the Kindle, and my paperbacks are gorgeous! I worked with a designer to produce the book covers, and with an IT specialist to set up my website. I recruited proof readers and beta readers, and incorporated their suggestions and corrections into the manuscripts. I have used a marketing specialist to promote each book as it is launched, and worked very long hours
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promoting and publicising the series. I’ve spoken on a panel at a literary festival, and sold books at one of the largest Christmas markets in the UK. The learning curve has been extremely steep, and from writing the first words of Battle Ground to making Book Five live on Amazon has taken two years, two months, and nine days.
Our amazing alumni
As with the zombie presentation, I have found a way to complete the assignment without following the standard path. I have researched the industry, set up my own business, and used everything I can think of to achieve my goal.
and to apply the skills I already had in new ways. I learned when to take on renovation work myself, and when to call in a specialist with suitable training. Stepping out into publishing, I discovered that these lessons were surprisingly relevant to my new career. I’m proud of the buildings I have transformed using the skills I learned at UCS, and I’m proud of my books. Not just the words, but also the covers, the marketing, the branding, and the publicity. And of course, I’m proud of the reviews, just as I was proud of my Merit for the Zombie-Proof Housing presentation.
And my readers love my books. I have fivestar reviews for all the books on Amazon, GoodReads, and Library Thing, and on several book-blogging websites.
There’s more information on the Battle Ground series can be found here
I learned a lot from my studies at UCS. I learned to research subjects I hadn’t encountered before. I learned to be creative in order to meet the requirements of an assignment. I learned to stand up for myself,
I can’t show you the houses I’ve worked on, but I can share my books with you. Happy reading, and I hope my dystopia remains as fictional as my zombies!
You can find a free prequel novella here
RETURN TO SOCIAL WORK Short Course, March 2020 This course is for qualified Social Workers whose professional registration has lapsed, to be prepared for local social issues, contemporary law, policy and practice. For more information or to register your interest please contact our Business Development Manager on cpd@uos.ac.uk or 01473 338075
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ALUMNI REUNION 2020 The Alumni Relations and Development Team are extremely excited to announce the Alumni Reunion 2020. Our first reunion for many years, this exclusive event will provide you with the perfect opportunity to reconnect with University of Suffolk and reminisce about the old days.
Alumni reunion 2020
Our Alumni Community includes all graduates from University of Suffolk, University Campus Suffolk and those who received higher education awards from Suffolk College. We also include our Honorary Graduates whom many of you may remember receiving their awards during your graduation ceremonies. A reunion is a unique event and whether you attend for a networking opportunity or simply a chance to catch up with old classmates, there will be something there for everyone. We will provide a photographer who will be happy to take photos with old friends and lecturers and tours of old and new facilities will also be available. If you would like to catch up with one of your lecturers contact us and we will do our best to reconnect you.
Come and help us celebrate our graduate community. The evening will include: Drinks and canapés Entertainment Opportunities to see the new facilities Photographs and memorabilia And much more Information will be available on: Post graduate study Careers and employability Business engagement Mentoring Library access Opportunities to share your skills and expertise This event is informal therefore please feel free to wear what you wish. Remember to keep an eye out on our social media platforms for updates on who’s attending and what’s on offer. Book your place here
SAVE 29 THE Alumni Reunion 6.00-8.00pm The Foyer, Waterfront Building
04 20
uos.ac.uk/alumni
