During the autumn term, Westminster Working Cultures (WWC) UK supported 190 students through a five-day intensive employability programme, two sector-specific sessions and the first in-person WWC Annual Reunion. The Reunion marked five years of WWC UK's employability programmes.
WWC is a University-wide initiative designed to enhance the employability of University of Westminster undergraduate students by utilising the support of the University’s global network of alumni and partners.
The five-day programme provided current students and recent graduates with the opportunity to hear from a diverse range of inspiring Westminster alumni and partner organisations, encouraging them to gain key skills and insight about how to best prepare for the landscape of professional opportunities in the UK.
The programme offered a mix of 16 online and in-person sessions, skills development workshops, networking activities and a day trip to Manchester. Westminster students asked alumni and partner speakers almost 200 questions during the programme and were able to develop their networking skills and confidence in communicating with future employers and colleagues.
Alumni who spoke to the students included: Biomedical Sciences BSc alumnus Dr Mustapha Bittaye, Senior Scientist at Medicines Discovery Catapult; Modern History BA alumnus Alexandra Kavanaugh, Senior Exhibitions & Touring Manager at the British Library; and International Journalism MA alumnus Yula Rocha, Communications Manager at People’s Palace Projects.
Highlights also included delving into what it’s like to work at the National Crime Agency, navigating the world of a multi-national organisation at BT and a behind-the-scenes look into market research at Ipsos.
On top of this, the first in-person WWC Annual Reunion took place. Former and future WWC participants were invited to come together to reminisce about their time on their programme and grow their network. Since the programme launched in 2017, Westminster Working Cultures has run ten UK programmes, 13 international trips and supported over 900 students.
Speaking about the five-day programme, BA Business Management student Laura Onyemem-Benedict said: “I thoroughly enjoyed listening to the volunteer speakers who took the time to share their journeys and tips that they have applied for their own growth. It was interesting to gain practical tips that I can apply, as I continue to understand what I would like to do after graduation. I was inspired by each speaker’s hard work, planning, researching and networking skills, and their willingness to take on opportunities.”
Professor Alex Hughes, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Employability and Global Engagement said: “Westminster Working Cultures is one of our flagship employability initiatives, reaching more and more students across the University and bringing them into an ever-wider network of employer and alumni partners. I’m delighted to see how powerfully WWC has grown, and look forward to its future developments and successes.”
The programme was made possible by the generous funding support from the Quintin Hogg Trust and was organised by the Westminster Working Cultures team within the Alumni Relations office.
WWC UK is part of a wider programme of activity, including WWC International and WWC Professional. The WWC UK programme has hosted ten programmes since its launch in 2020. Upcoming WWC UK activities will take place in June 2023.
Learn more about WWC's work within the UK.
