A word from Elliot, Students’ Union President
15 July 2014
Elliot Howells is the 2014/15 Students’ Union President
Graduation week is a special one, or it certainly feels that way having not graduated myself yet! It’s the ultimate celebration of what would have been a tremendously busy and challenging, but hopefully rewarding, few years. I’m sure you’ll agree that Cardiff University has done a terrific job of shaping us for the future and every single part of University life has contributed to getting us where we are today.
It seems fitting that I talk about graduate employment and the services that the university has to offer following this week. As graduates from Cardiff University, you have access to free careers advice for life! You can find out more here. If you haven’t yet secured employment, there are plenty of opportunities out there and as graduates from a leading Russell Group university, you are best placed to grab them. The best advice I can give you is to sell yourself to potential employers. Don’t play down the fact you juggled committee roles, a part time job and volunteering placements alongside a demanding degree…it’s really impressive! Have confidence in yourself and your abilities and employers will have confidence in you too. For those of you continuing to study, whether it be at Cardiff or elsewhere; good luck! If you plan on being involved in the Students’ Union’s activities, I look forward to working with you.
Just by applying to Cardiff, you have made the most of a fantastic opportunity and I’m sure you continued to do so throughout your studies. Make sure that doesn’t stop! Somebody once said to me, “If you’re the smartest person in the room, you’re in the wrong room” and it’s absolutely true. We are all at the very beginning of our careers and this is just the first of many milestones to come.
That’s probably enough attempted words of wisdom for one day! I hope you have an incredible graduation. As I write this, the sun is shining through my window and I hope it continues through the week for you. I’ll be at several ceremonies this week and for those I’m not at, the live stream will be playing in my office.
Huge congratulations and masses of luck for whatever’s next for you.
Llongyfarchiadau!