What Comes Next?

What comes next graphic

 

What Comes Next? is a course-aligned event series aimed at sharing the knowledge and experience of recent graduates with current students by inviting them back to the classroom.

Through the events, current students can learn about the breadth of career opportunities available to them after graduation and network with alumni in a familiar and comfortable setting.

What Comes Next? was developed based on Graduate Outcomes results and identifies courses that can benefit from additional employability support.

Attending What Comes Next? events can earn students points towards the Westminster Employability Award.

Level 4 and level 5 students who attend a What Comes Next? event can count this towards work-based learning hours (at module leaders’ discretion).

2023–2024 events

Operating across priority courses, What Comes Next? delivered impactful events across all three colleges during 2023–24.

Key stats 

  • Seven events
  • 404 total student attendees
  • 26 recent graduate speakers
  • 98% of students found it useful to hear from recent graduates

Testimonials

“Very useful especially for those who are starting our pathway. It is nice to hear about experiences, challenges, choices, stories, tips, and advice from them.

– Heidi Condoba, Computer Science student

What I found useful about the event was the transparency and honesty from the panellists, thereby promoting confidence and resilience.

– Omar Habib, Computer Science student

Computer Science event

Testimonials

Was amazing to hear everyone’s personal experience and how everyone carved their own path.

– Meenakshi Jayachandran Nair, Human Nutrition Student

Knowing that I am not the only one who felt ‘lost’ or did not have it clear on what to do next felt good!

– Xarem Jereije, Human Nutrition Student

Human nutrition event

Testimonials

I love how everyone’s experience was different yet positive. It was helpful to hear what the panel did during university before deciding on their next steps.

– Fatima Lukman-Mohammed, Business Management student

The event has given me a stronger insight on ways to network and what resources can be used to support my journey.

– Romina Krasniqi, Business Management student

Business-Management

Testimonials

I had a fantastic time learning about what it’s like working in the events industry after I graduate. The girls were so friendly and kind to me and gave the best advice to me on what to do when I start working in the industry. This made me more confident in choosing to work in the events industry.

– Karina Kular, Tourism student

I found it useful to hear each person’s experiences and [about] their industry as it made me more confident in my work and my applications for jobs.

– Fatima Sadiq, Tourism student

Tourism event

Testimonials

Thank you for sharing your stories and showing us that there is no concrete path we should take but to always be curious and strive to be the best versions of ourselves.

– Boyan Dragomirov, Film student

I found it extremely helpful as the panel showcased a wide variety of insights and tips. I loved how at the end the panel showcased their work, as I feel like it helped me understand more about them.

– Ines Palma, Photography student

Photography event

Testimonials

Going to the Biomedical Science event was eye-opening! It provided invaluable insights into the diverse career paths available after the course, and what steps to take to progress quickly. I’m very grateful for the alumni that came to speak with us and excited for what’s to come.

– Suhana Rahman, Biomedical Sciences student

It was great to hear from people who were once in a similar position to the one I'm in now! The advice from the graduates was helpful and specific, and has definitely motivated me to think more about my future and where my degree in Biomedical Sciences can take me.

– Sarah Eden, Biomedical Sciences student

Biomedical Science

2022–23 events

After a successful pilot series, What Comes Next? expanded across all three colleges in 2022–23 to include events within the College of Design, Creative and Digital Industries (DCDI), Westminster Business School (WBS) and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS).

Key stats

  • Seven events
  • 328 total student attendees
  • 32 recent graduate speakers
  • 97% of students found it useful to hear from recent graduates

Testimonials

The Alumni speaker event was great because it provided insight into the industry from someone that attended our University. Besides that, the panel gave us advice and feedback on what it takes to go to the next level in our professional career. Personally, I feel motivated and would advise anyone who is interested in working in the financial sector to attend similar events.

– Timotej Zrnec, Finance student

Group of people around a table.

Testimonials

The Alumni Panel was quite informative about what’s it really like to find a job after university, and how certain steps I am able to take to improve my chances as well as broaden my knowledge on the types of jobs in IT, I left the event more dedicated than ever. Thank you!

– Christopher Pascal-Kelly, Computer Science student

Group of people sat along a table.

Testimonials

I had such a great time at the event, it was a really valuable opportunity. And so great to hear the students felt it made a positive impact too!

– Lauren Gillies, Alumni speaker

Woman talking on a table with others listening to her.

Testimonials

Thank you so much for having me! I really enjoyed the event and am glad that we covered such a broad range of topics relating to industry. It genuinely was lovely to see so many people interested in working in industry.

– Etive Pomfret-McHardy, speaker

Photograph of attendees of the Photography and Film WCN event.

Testimonials

I especially enjoyed that the speakers were working in different fields, so I got to listen to different experiences.

– Alen Melero Yerinkova, Politics and International Relations student

Photograph of attendees of the Politics and International Relations WCN event.

Testimonials

I had a great time at the event and would like to say thanks for organising the whole thing, it felt very streamlined and professional. It's also great to hear that students found the event useful!

– Jake James, speaker

Photograph of attendees of the Pharmacology and Physiology WCN event.

Testimonials

My experience at the event was really moving. I was so inspired by the honesty of the panelists about their choices and tough decisions… It gave me a taster of what really comes next after school.

– Omotola Akinnagbe, Human Nutrition student

Photograph of attendees of the Human Nutrition WCN event.


2021–2022 pilot-year events

Operating across priority courses in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences in the 2021–22 pilot year, What Comes Next? delivered events featuring recent graduate panels, who shared with current undergraduate students their own stories regarding what they each did with their degree.

Key stats

  • Four events
  • 200 total student attendees
  • 11 recent graduate speakers
  • 96% found it useful to hear from recent graduates

Testimonials

It was an honour to come back to Westminster to speak to the students and give them advice, as it wasn’t long ago that I was in the same position and would have loved to have this opportunity. I’m glad I could be of assistance and hope that the advice given will help them in their careers.

– Speaker Tasfia Sufi, Support Team Leader at the Cabinet Office (International Relations BA, 2018)

Panellists photographed sitting at desks at the WCN? Politics and International Relations event

Testimonials

To see former students return to Westminster and share their wisdom, maturity and guidance was most heartening and reassuring.

– Dr Sanjay Joban, Course Leader for the Psychology and Counselling BSc

Four panel grid featuring Pyschology panellists on a virtual call

Testimonials

It’s a good experience to have these conversations because you’ll also learn through hearing from the other speakers or responding to questions you might not have asked yourself.

– Speaker Rania Joudi, Security Specialist at the International SOS (Criminology and Sociology BA, 2019)

It’s an absolute pleasure to see what interesting and important things our alumni are doing and to give them a chance to share their experiences with our current students. I couldn’t be prouder of our alumni. Undoubtedly, our current students will have a much better understanding of what they need to do to get the job of their dreams following this event.

– Dr Lea Sitkin, Senior Lecturer and Co-Course Leader for the Criminology BA

Four panel grid featuring Criminology panellists on a virtual call

Testimonials

It was great to participate in the Biosciences alumni panel and impart a little wisdom on working life after graduation!

– Speaker Orlando Ross, Technologist at Abbott (Biomedical Sciences BSc, 2021)
 

Four panel grid featuring Bio Sciences panellists on a virtual call

Playlists 

Access full recordings and highlights videos via our YouTube playlists:

2023–24 event recordings and highlights

2022–23 event recordings and highlights

2021–22 event recordings and highlights

Alumni video series

In addition to the events, alumni from the School of Humanities, School of Architecture and Cities and International Business courses have also shared their career experiences and top insights in short videos:

Contact

What Comes Next? is managed and delivered by the Alumni Relations Office.