CLASS OF 2015
Welcome to the
class of 2015
Contents A WORLD CHANGING EDUCATION Dr Andrew Singleton GLOBALLY, NATIONALLY, LOCALLY DRIVING HER ON-AIR AMBITIONS Alex Burgess BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS BECOME A SUPER ALUMNI
Today marks one of the most important events of your life – your graduation. Now is the time to ensure that your relationship with your University and fellow graduates continues beyond July. Through your Alumni Association, you have a lifelong connection to Sunderland. This is your opportunity to begin your relationship with the University’s global network of alumni who can support your career aspirations. ‘Alumni’ are graduates of the University of Sunderland, going right back to the opening of Sunderland Technical College in 1901. ENJOY THE REWARDS!
PREMIER CAREER GOALS Adam Powell GLOBALLY CONNECTED Alumni World Map TRANSFORMATIVE Vanina Varbonova
After graduation, you will automatically become a lifelong member of the Sunderland Alumni Association and you will have access to a whole range of benefits and services:
LEAVING HER MARK Kate Edis
• Access to the University’s library and CitySpace gym
FRANCE TO LONDON Samantha France
• 1-2-1 careers advice and guidance for up to three years after graduation • Keep up to date with university developments, news and events
• Register for events across the world • Discover opportunities to develop your career and build your business networks • Receive exclusive Alumni discounts and much more!
LOOK TO YOUR FUTURE... Bilal Raja A FUTURE FOR YOU Careers and Employability Service FUNDING YOUR AMBITIONS Futures fund Scholarships
DR ANDREW SINGLETON
Dr Andrew Singleton has come a long way from the labs of City Campus, where he gained his First in Applied Physiology 20 years ago. Now Chief of the Laboratory of Neurogenetics at the National Institute of Aging, in Maryland, USA he is leading one of the world’s top research teams, tackling neurological diseases, particularly Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease.
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a worldchanging education “During my first degree I had taken a sandwich placement year, and Prof Bob Pullen set me up with a job in a lab in Newcastle working for the Medical Research Council on the genetics of Alzheimer’s disease,” he says. “I went back to this lab after finishing at Sunderland and pursued a PhD in neuroscience.” After completing his PhD at the University of Newcastle, he moved to Florida to work at the Mayo Clinic on the genetics of neurodegenerative diseases. Then in 2001 Dr Singleton moved to Bethesda in Maryland to set up a lab. He now runs one of the world’s most advanced research labs, studying the genetic basis of neurological disorders including Parkinson’s disease. He is a Scientific Advisor for The Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, and on the Scientific Advisory Board of the Lewy Body Dementia Association. Among his many awards and honours Dr Singleton has been presented with
the Boehringer Mannheim Research Award, the Annemarie Opprecht Award, the National Institute of Health Directors Award, and was the first recipient of the Jay Van Andel Award for Outstanding Achievement in Parkinson’s Disease Research in 2012. “I run a research lab at the National Institutes of Health, which is the main US government agency involved in medical research. My lab studies the basis of a wide variety of neurological diseases, and I’m incredibly proud of my lab, the people working in it and what we’ve achieved over the last decade.” There is no doubting Dr Singleton’s achievements, and the continued impact of his and his dedicated team’s research worldwide, and he is very clear about what it takes to be successful in any career. “What’s served me well is going with my gut,” he says. “You have to say ‘yes’ a lot – and be pathologically persistent.”
what are you looking forward to
Let us know on Facebook and Twitter #HawaytheGrads #LoveUoS
globally, nationally, locally...
BA (Hons) Magazine Journalism
B R I G I TA L E O N AV I C I U T E
BA (Hons) English and Creative Writing
SAM MORRELL
James Hedley Just one year after graduating James Hedley is already heading up a global project with Grundfos. James, who graduated with a First in Automotive Engineering has joined pump manufacturer Grundfos as a Technician Engineer after winning the University’s inaugural Grundfos Engineering Prize. Based on the experience of car enthusiasts – including his dad – James redesigned the front suspension of a TVR sports car. After winning the prize James was almost immediately offered a job. James has literally hit top gear since starting at Grunfos. “I’ve been given the lead on a project working with the Head Booster Engineer in Denmark. We have determined that we can save €500,000 globally per year!” You can read more about James’s experiences at: alumni.sunderland.ac.uk
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ALEX BURGESS
Spark’s youngest ever female drive time DJ is continuing to take over the airwaves as she graduates this year. During her time at Sunderland Alex Burgess has held the title of the University radio station’s first ever female Drive Time presenter, won Best Female in the 2013 Student Radio Awards, and was Highly Commended in the 2014 Awards. Alex has also presented professionally on Capital FM and managed several local bands.
driving her on-air ambitions “I’m still in contact with Capital, and looking at doing more shows there once I graduate, which is exciting,” said Alex. “In 2012 I started my own company - Lone Wolf Promotions - which was set up to promote bands in the North East, and organise gigs with local bands too. “I’ve expanded Lone Wolf into management now too, and I’m managing three bands. It’s a steep learning experience, but I’m loving it so far.” In the last three years students from Arts, Design and Media have kept the Faculty front page news in the region, as well as nationally and globally. This year alone Spark FM has won international accolades, with Gold and Bronze awards at the New York International Festival. They have been consistent award winners in the last three years of I Love Student Radio Awards. Students from the
Faculty have also been winners in the National Student Television Awards. The wider Faculty has Internationally Excellent research in Music, Dance and Performing Arts, and World Leading research in Art and Design and Media. You can read more about Alex’s experiences at: alumni.sunderland.ac.uk
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building relationships
what are you looking forward to
Let us know on Facebook and Twitter #HawaytheGrads #LoveUoS
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Masters in Pharmacy
Mark Ackers graduated with a First in BA (Hons) Business and Marketing Management in 2009, and now works for SaleCycle as the Enterprise Sales Manager. Sales Cycle’s clients include Virgin Atlantic, Sony, and the Arcadia Group. He is responsible for growing the business clients, identifying the right companies and employees, reaching out to them, building relationships and winning their business. Mark says: “It’s important you find the right company for you, an arena in which you can learn and grow. The first job is an important choice. Once you’re employed it’s all about impressing. Be enthusiastic, be reliable, be willing to learn, get that experience.” You can read more about Mark’s experiences at: alumni.sunderland.ac.uk
ANNA ROBINSON
Mark Ackers
premier career goals
G E T I N VO LV E D
There are a lot of ways to stay involved with the University. No matter how much time you have to offer, you can help fellow Alumni, current students or the University as a whole. We are now recruiting ‘Super Alumni’ who can volunteer their time and expertise. There are a number of ways in which you can help make a difference:
Adam Powell
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NETWORKING
APPLICANT EVENTS
GIVE A CAREERS TALK
BECOME A MENTOR
We’ll invite you to join professional networking groups and events where you will be able to offer and receive mentoring advice, professional introductions and business networking opportunities.
We are looking for alumni who would like to help inspire potential students to choose the University of Sunderland as their firm first choice. You may want to come and talk about your experience at university.
You can now share your experience with current students. As you may know hearing from alumni first hand is a great way for students to engage with real world experience and gain insight into global business.
If you’d like to become a Super Alumni and help give back to the University, please go to tinyurl.com/super-alumni
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Take part in the Professional Mentoring Scheme as a mentor and support students’ career ambitions.
After receiving the Futures Fund scholarship in 2013 PGCE/PCET Sports Sciences graduate Adam Powell was able to expand his experience as a football coach and PE teacher in a school in Mexico. This experience in Mexico led Adam to a new challenge at the British International School of Kyiv in Ukraine as a full-time PE teacher where he spent 15 months. Now he is back to the UK where he works as BTEC Tutor of sport and academy coach at Oxford United F.C. Adam says he has always been driven, and has bigger goals in mind for the future: “I would love to become the Head of Education at a Premier League football club,” he admits. You can read more about Adam’s experiences at: alumni.sunderland.ac.uk
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globally connected
Where are they now...
You are now part of a worldwide
NUMBER OF ALUMNI PER COUNTRY
network of over 120,000 former
Malaysia
students in 32 countries. If you live or work overseas you can join our online branches to hear about in-country events and networking opportunities. We have active groups in Hong Kong, China, Singapore and Greece, among many
3570 2421
China
2307
Hong Kong
1671
Greece
1162
Germany
807
Norway
658
Singapore
606
India Vietnam
592
USA
586
Join our groups at:
Kenya
574
tinyurl.com/alumni-branches
Cyprus
535
others.
510
Botswana
432
Pakistan Ireland
338
Trinidad and Tobago
328
United Arab Emirates
323
Taiwan
NEW YORK
SEDGEFIELD
LAGOS
MUMBAI
KUALA LUMPUR
316
Bangladesh
277
Spain
224
SYDNEY
Canada
193
220
Aaron McLoughlin
Bobby Coltman
Chimezie Okeke
Abhishek Shah
Jia Li (Jess) Wong
Helen Forgham
Sri Lanka
BA (Hons) Sports Journalism 2013
PGCE Maths 2014
MSc IT Management 2012
MBA 2014
BA (Hons) Advertising and Design 2013
BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science 2014
Bahrain
191
Junior Creative at Leo Burnett Group
Research Assistant at Sydney’s Children’s Cancer Institute
Thailand
173
Saudi Arabia
169
Australia
153
Freelance Journalist
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Teacher at Sedgefield Community College
2015
Project Management Office Analyst at Diamond Bank Plc
Assurance Consultant at Ernst & Young LLP
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VANINA VARBANOVA
Vanina Varbanova graduated Master Business Management last year and hit the ground running as CEO Programme Assistant at Blackswan. Blackswan deliver transformational change to business focussed on innovation and competitive advantage. Vanina is part of a team that work to help organisations transform their businesses to be more cost effective and productive.
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“The Innovation Programme gave me the opportunity to see how theory can be applied in practice in a real business world.” Vanina, originally from Bulgaria, but now based in Tynemouth, is enjoying the challenges of working in a business with global reach. “I consider the fact that I was able to find a job straight after I graduated one of my greatest achievements, and as a fresh graduate my biggest challenge was to get used to the dynamics of the business environment and the business culture of a global company. “The transition from university straight to the workplace is not easy when you don’t know what to expect and you are not experienced. But once I passed that stage I started to feel the excitement of being involved and contributing to the activities of a global business. “My lecturers at the University were really committed to help us with this transition.
Their professionalism, warmth and friendliness helped me get where I am now. “I would advise the current students to be brave! Finding the right job and position is not always easy but they should never stop trying. Believing in who you are and what you want to do is a key factor for your professional development. “That is what will get you where you want to be and help you become the person you want to be.” Over the past three years the Faculty of Business and Law has achieved: • World Leading research in Business • Internationally Excellent research in Law • World Leading research in Leisure and Tourism. You can read more about Vanina’s experiences at: alumni.sunderland.ac.uk
BA (Hons) Illustration and Design
STUART TAYLOR
leaving her mark Kate Edis
what are you looking forward to
Let us know on Facebook and Twitter #HawaytheGrads #LoveUoS
Kate Edis, who is graduating with a Masters in Pharmacy, picked up her second award in two years. Kate was awarded the Hope Winch Scholarship prize for most proficient level 3 – and last year she received the prize for the most proficient level 2 student! 29-year-old Kate’s name will now be on a plaque, permanently on display in Dale Building. “After working so hard throughout the degree it was extra special to receive the acknowledgement,” says Kate. “Now I’m excited to start my pre-registration year with Boots and begin putting all my knowledge into practice.” You can read more about Kate’s experiences at: alumni.sunderland.ac.uk
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SAMANTHA FRANCE
Samantha France followed her dream after graduating BA (Hons) Media Production in 2010, and now works in the television industry. Winning the Undergraduate Fiction award at the prestigious RTS Student Television Awards 2010 set her on the right path and she now works in London as an Archive Researcher for Channel 4.
Samantha has very clear advice for graduates who want to work in the media industry: “Apply for jobs you like otherwise you may end up working on something that isn’t your thing. You may miss working on a show that you really want to do. Don’t be scared to turn down jobs if you don’t want to do them. “Starting from the bottom as a runner or logger is necessary and it does take time, so don’t lose hope. Moving to London for work is something that you should be prepared to do, there is a lot in London for beginners and you have more of a chance in gathering the contacts you need. “Being freelance is difficult in television and that’s why making contacts is so important! So always put 100% into your short contracts as you never know where it’ll lead (hopefully to another job!)”. In her career as a freelancer Samantha has had some unusual
jobs, including spending her days looking for new viral videos for Channel 5’s ‘Pets Make you Laugh out Loud’, on Big Brother Live, and Geordie Shore (in Paris), but says her favourite project was a documentary about the late comedian Bob Monkhouse, The Million Joke Man for UKTV. “Moving to London for work is something that you should be prepared to do,” she adds. “There is a lot in London for beginners and you have more of a chance in gathering the contacts you need.” You can read more about Sam’s experiences at: alumni.sunderland.ac.uk
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WHAT ARE YOU
looking forward to
after graduation? Let us know on Facebook and Twitter #HawaytheGrads #LoveUoS
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BA (Hons) Business and Marketing Management
VICTOR RUSU
BA (Hons) Psychology
Business and Management graduate Bilal Raja, originally from Pakistan, isn’t quite ready to leave Sunderland behind yet. Bilal, who has worked for Sunderland-based Grundfos UK, and spent his final year as President of the University Business School Society, has now been appointed President of the Students’ Union. Bilal will take over the role from current President Chloe Jackson immediately after the summer graduations. “I really respect this University, it gave me a really good education, and all the staff have been really supportive. “Wherever you go, whatever you do, don’t forget what this University gave to you, and wherever you end up in the future you’ll be there because of the University of Sunderland. Don’t forget your University; try to give something back.”
INES MARQUES DE SA
Bilal Raja
experts to exports At the University of Sunderland our relationship with you doesn’t end at graduation. We know that the graduate jobs market is competitive and that’s why the Careers and Employability team is here – to help you stand out from the crowd. See the cards below for what we offer you:
THI YOU S IS LIF R E
CAREER GUIDANCE
Individual advice and guidance regarding career options and choices with 1-2-1 appointments.
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ONLINE VACANCIES
Access to Opportunities Online, a vacancy service advertising graduate jobs with regional, national and international employers.
Alexandra Chapman
BA (Hons) PUBLIC RELATIONS, Marketing and PR Intern, Tyneport Coatings
From helping to shape her CV and finding relevant work experience, to steering her first steps into the workplace, the Careers and Employability team have been there every step of the way to help graduate Alexandra Chapman get her feet onto the employment ladder. Alexandra said:
“The most important starting point was my CV. I thought it was fine until I sat down with the experts to really knock it into shape. Modules on my Public Relations degree involved securing work experience, which my improved CV helped me to find. The Careers and Employability team also pointed me in the direction of the Graduate Internship scheme which
DLHE SURVEY Where will your qualification lead you? We want to know… That’s why around six months after you finish your course we will be in touch to ask you to complete the national Destination of Leavers from Higher Education (DLHE) survey. The survey collects information on student activity after graduation and is vital to the future of the University giving us valuable information about the jobs and courses our graduates
FREE ONLINE RESOURCES
Access to free, online resources including practice aptitude tests, video interviews and GoingGlobal, a resource advertising job opportunities and internships across the world.
EMPLOYEE-LED EVENTS
Opportunities to attend employerled events, including our Graduate Recruitment Fair.
matches students with jobs in industry. “I got a job with local company Tyneport Coatings where I am getting the opportunity to use more of the skills I studied on my degree course. “Now my advice to students is to listen and take what they have to offer – I genuinely have no idea where I would be now without the support I’ve received.”
ONLINE have moved into. It will also help us advise current and prospective students about their career and further study options. Look out for an email which we will send to you containing a link to the online survey; it will only take a few minutes to complete. If we don’t hear back from you, we will try to reach you by telephone. For more information visit sunderland.ac.uk/dlhe
UoSCareersService @UoSFutures uk.linkedin.com/in/sunderlandfutures sunderland.ac.uk/ces sunderland.ac.uk/futures
CONTACT US 0191 515 2920
INTERVIEW COACHING
Unique and interactive coaching for interviews and assessment centres.
@
ces.enquiries@sunderland.ac.uk
CV & APPLICATION SUPPORT
How to structure these documents.
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Scholarships available to kickstart your graduate ambitions
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the first Futures Fund scholarship award and the University is deeply thankful to over 245 donors who provided opportunities for over 150 scholarship recipients from the North East region. The Futures Fund has already made a huge difference in offering financial support and enabled students to go and expand their horizons to work on self-sourced placements in London or gain experience of sectors overseas.
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As a member of the Class of 2015, you have the opportunity to apply to the Futures Fund to support your career ambitions. The Graduate Development Scholarship is open to recent graduates who are looking for additional support to ensure they are ready or able to take forward excellent enterprising ideas. In a competitive jobs market we are committed to supporting you to give you the edge you need to secure a job in the profession you are passionate about. If you think you have what it takes and you submit a killer application, you may be eligible for a scholarship up to the value of £2,500.
To find out more and to kick-start your career email development: office@sunderland.ac.uk Futures Fund recipient Adam Powell said: “Without the support from the Futures Fund my dream of working in Mexico wouldn’t have been possible and I don’t believe I would be where I am now.” Read more about Adam on page 10.
Keep in touch Register as a Sunderland Alumni online: www.sunderland.ac.uk/alumni www.facebook.com/SunderlandAlumni SEARCH LINKEDIN GROUPS FOR: University of Sunderland Alumni (Official) twitter.com/Sunderlandalum
Contact +44 (0)191 515 3664 alumni@sunderland.ac.uk
Address University of Sunderland Development and Alumni Office 5th Floor Edinburgh Building City Campus Sunderland SR1 3SD