The alumni represented a variety of sectors including software development, engineering, academia, data science, insurance, and accountancy.
The event began with a live performance from alumnus Harry Baker who is a full-time poet.
Five alumni presented their career journeys and gave advice and tips to our students. Among the advice was that it is okay not to know what you want to do yet and that it’s easy to change careers if you find out you’re not suited to a particular sector. Most speakers referred to experiencing rejection but saw it as a positive part of finding the right role and being challenged.
A Q&A session was held at the end of the presentations and attendees could use the zoom Q&A feature to ask questions throughout the event. The alumni encouraged students to make use of the careers services and resources from the University and elsewhere. Internships were also discussed as a way of being more employable.
More alumni attended as networkers attended to meet and mingle with students afterwards on Airmeet, a virtual networking platform.
Rachael Carey, Teaching Associate and Careers and Employability Lead for the School of Mathematics, hosted the event. ‘We heard some really interesting and engaging talks from our alumni about a variety of careers that a maths degree can lead you to. It was great for current students to have the opportunity to meet and get some great advice from people who had been where they were not too long ago.’