The 2023-2024 academic year saw seven What Comes Next? events held at the University of Westminster where students gained insight and knowledge from alumni on how to make the next steps after university. As the new year gets underway, a new set of events are on the horizon.
What Comes Next? (WCN) was introduced as a course-aligned event series in 2021, 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.
Operating across a variety of courses, What Comes Next? delivered seven events during 2023-24, featuring panels of recent graduates who shared their own concerns, successes and journeys with the help of their Westminster degrees. Events included panels for students studying Computer Science and Engineering, Human Nutrition, Business Management, Tourism and Events, Photography and Film and Biomedical Science.
Throughout the year there were 26 recent graduate volunteer speakers and 404 students who attended the events from the 2023/24 programme. Feedback from students revealed that 98% found it useful to hear from recent graduates and thought the panels had a good approach to the topic. Additionally, 96% of students believed the information they received was useful to them, while 88% of students felt confident in their ability to link their study subject with career opportunities and 86% felt supported by the University in their efforts to develop their employability skills.
Westminster student Meenakshi Jayachandran Nair attended the Human Nutrition event and said: “[It] was amazing to hear everyone’s personal experiences and how everyone carved their own path.”
Another attendee Fatima Lukman-Mohammed, who attended one of two Business Management events, added: “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.”
The What Comes Next? series directly contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 4: Quality Education and 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth. Since 2019, the University of Westminster has used the SDGs holistically to frame strategic decisions to help students and colleagues fulfil their potential and contribute to a more sustainable, equitable and healthier society.
The series will deliver more events than ever in the 2024-2025 academic year, starting with What Comes Next? Politics and International Relations on 10 October.
Find out more about the What Comes Next? programme.
