The programme aims to improve student experience and employability as part of a Quintin Hogg Trust (QHT) funded project generating paid work opportunities in research and knowledge exchange activity over the next two years.
So far, cohorts of the WCCP have worked with charity clients including Marylebone Project, Brun Bear Foundation and Newington Green Alliance on business challenges. Teams worked on projects to improve and analyse social media activity and analyse and interpret neighbourhood data over several weeks during June and July 2022.
The consultancy programme started with a group training session, then meetings with clients to clarify the brief. Teams then worked independently on their consultancy projects before delivering a presentation and final report to the client. Finally, there was a debrief session, enabling students to reflect on the experience, share feedback with their teammates and learn how to use the programme in their CVs and upcoming job interviews.
Student consultants reported that the programme increased their confidence in many key skills for graduate employers including interpersonal communication, resilience, teamworking, negotiating and problem solving. All consultants stated the programme enhanced their prospects for future employment and would recommend it to other students who wish to gain work-related skills and experience.
Judy Bui, a Marketing Communications BA Honours graduate, soon to join KPMG as part of their Consultancy graduate programme, said: “The WCCP client project gave me an overview of what to expect in a real-life client project and showed me how my existing skill sets fit in. I think the real reward of this whole experience is to learn from other students in the programme and gain exposure to new perspectives.”
Chiamaka Uzoma Akunne, a Finance (International Finance) MSc graduate, said: “I was able to gain more confidence in my skills including leadership, time management and teamwork. WCCP gave me the opportunity to take on the fulfilling role of assisting the charity and developing my skills in consulting.”
Student consultant applications will open for the Autumn 2022 Westminster Community Consultancy Programme on Monday 5 September and close on Sunday 2 October. The programme is expected to run again in Spring and Summer 2023. Students apply through an online form and then shortlisted candidates are invited to an in-person group assessment session. The Autumn programme will start with the training session on Wednesday 19 October.
To find out more see the programme website.
If you would like to recommend a charity or social enterprise client to the programme, see the Partner webpage.
