1. Grow your career

Event series: What it Takes

The What it Takes event series features an array of exciting and innovative alumni speakers sharing their experience and advice on a diverse range of topics, focusing on career, personal and professional development.

The series is designed for current students and recent graduates but is also open to all Westminster alumni and staff.

Students attending What it Takes events can earn points for the Westminster Award.

Level 4 and level 5 students who attend What it Takes events can count this towards work-based learning hours.

2024–25 events

This year, we'll deliver a blended series of in-person and online events. You can find information about the upcoming 2024–25 events below. Events will be added here throughout the academic year.

2024–25 event listings

Semester 1

Semester 2

2023–24 events

Last year, we delivered a blended series of in-person and online events. You can find information about all the 2023–24 events below.

Series highlights

  • the series featured 20 exciting Westminster alumni speakers
  • it was collectively attended by more than 530 Westminster students and recent graduates
  • over 188 guest surveys were completed – 97% thought the speakers’ approach was either ‘good’ or ‘excellent’, and 94% thought the events had clear takeaway messages

There were nine events spread across two semesters, including ‘What it Takes to Build a Successful Startup’, which took place in Portland Hall in November 2023.

2023–24 event listings

Semester 1

Semester 2

Event recordings

You can view highlight videos and full event recordings of previous events in the series on the Alumni YouTube channel, where there is a YouTube playlist dedicated to the series.

Previous events

In 2022-23, we delivered a blended series of in-person and online events. You can see information about all the 2022–23 events in the links below.

Series highlights

  • the series featured 16 exciting Westminster alumni speakers
  • it was collectively attended by more than 720 Westminster students and recent graduates
  • over 250 guest surveys were completed – 95% thought the speakers’ approach was either ‘good’ or ‘excellent’, and 93% thought the events had clear takeaway messages

There were nine events spread across two semesters, including ‘What it Takes to Succeed in Business with Tara and Tej Lalvani’, which took place in Portland Hall in February 2023.

2022–23 event listings

Semester 1

Semester 2

Semester 1:

Semester 2:

Semester 1:

Semester 2:

Semester 1:

  • 23 October 2018: What It Takes to Build Confidence and Self-esteem
  • 6 November 2018: What It Takes to Ace an Interview
  • 15 November 2018: What It Takes to be an Entrepreneur
  • 6 December 2018: What It Takes to Launch your own Product

Semester 2:

  • 29 January 2019: What It Takes to be a Freelancer
  • 19 February 2019: What It Takes to Develop your own Online Brand and App
  • 21 March 2019: What it Takes to cope with stress and mental health
  • 2 April 2019: What It Takes to Pitch your way to Success
  • 11 April 2019: What It Takes to be a Female Leader

Related pages

Graduate Success Series

Hear from industry professionals who share tips and advice to help you navigate the early stages of your career.

Read moreGo to Graduate Success Series page

Grow your career

Graduated within the last three years? We have tailored opportunities, resources and advice to help with your next career steps.

Read moreGo to Grow your career page

Event series: What Comes Next?

This course-specific speaker series features recent graduates sharing their post-university experiences.

Read moreGo to Event series: What Comes Next? page