Talent Bank allows students to take on part-time roles alongside their studies within different University departments. These roles provide a source of income and professional experience where students can build transferable skills and enhance future job prospects.
Melissa Ramos Peimbert shares her experience
During my time at Westminster, I made the most of Talent Bank and the opportunities it offers. As a Talent Bank member, I had the opportunity to navigate this scheme, from the initial application process to working in a role that aligned with my interests. In this article, I'll share my experience — from joining Talent Bank to how it helped shape my career and graduate opportunities.
The first step after registering was completing an online training. This showed me how to use the Engage platform, search for jobs and make the most of available resources. With this guidance, I felt more confident about starting my applications and understanding what was expected. From there, I applied for seven roles, got invited to three interviews, and received one job offer. This process taught me resilience. Despite rejections, I used each step to improve and secure one offer I really liked, making all the effort worthwhile.
A crucial part of my success was the support I received through the University's Career Mentoring Programme. My assigned mentor played a significant role in boosting my confidence. They helped me improve my CV and taught me how to handle interviews better, meaning I felt more prepared to answer questions confidently during interviews.
Working as a Student Helper
As a Global Mobility Assistant with the Education Abroad team, I supported students coming to study at Westminster on study abroad or exchange programmes. My main duties included being the student liaison and providing support before, during and after their programmes. I also worked with survey data, creating dashboards to analyse student feedback and provide insights. On top of that, I helped manage the social media content strategy to promote the University's global opportunities.
In this role, I gained valuable experience working with colleagues across various departments and external partners, strengthening my teamwork and communication skills. I was also involved in supporting welcome and farewell events for students, which gave me a deeper understanding of event coordination and the importance of creating a supportive environment.
One of the most rewarding parts of the job was supporting the student events and seeing how excited and motivated they were about their experiences. Being a part of those moments made me feel like I was helping shape their journeys – as well as my own. Another highlight was the fact that I was working in a global team. I learned how to adapt to cultural differences, particularly when comparing working styles in the UK versus my home country. This helped me become more flexible and open-minded in approaching tasks and collaborating with others.
The impact on my Career
The experience I gained through Talent Bank helped me secure a full-time position as International Student Champion at the University. In this role, I help international students settle in, feel supported and make the most of their time at the University.
One of the biggest things I took away from Talent Bank was learning to work with people from diverse backgrounds and adapt to different cultural perspectives. This has been super helpful in my new role, where I interact with students from all over the world. Plus, the skills I developed in communication, project management and problem-solving have been essential as I juggle various responsibilities and work to ensure international students have a smooth experience at Westminster.
The Broader Value of Talent Bank
Joining Talent Bank was a game-changer for me. As an international student, it was my first job in the UK, and it gave me a chance to gain real experience, build new skills and work alongside people from all different backgrounds. From navigating the application process to completing my first role, it was a brilliant way to grow both professionally and personally.
If you are thinking about joining Talent Bank, I definitely recommend it. It is not just about earning extra money — it's a chance to develop skills, meet new people, and open doors for future opportunities. So go ahead, get involved, and see where it takes you!
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