SECL Employability Series

University of Kent Ambassador Scheme: Learn, Help & Earn

Tom Barker and Ben TipplePartnership Development Office

What is the Ambassador Scheme?

• A chance to put your academic experience into practice

• Represent your department and University

• Give something back

• Enhance your skills, employability and CV

• Earn pay, gain credit or accrue volunteering hours

• Meet new people

• Take part in a rewarding scheme

Page 2

What is the Ambassador Scheme?

• Outreach Activities Work in schools, support campus visits etc.

• Recruitment UCAS events Open Days

• Academic School projects Peer mentoring Specific recruitment projects And more...

Page 3

Outreach Ambassadors

• Coordinated by the Partnership Development Office

• Mixture of paid and volunteering work – majority of work paid

• Working with designated partner schools and colleges

• Raising aspiration and attainment towards higher education

Page 4

Page 5

Widening Participation

Page 6

Widening Participation

Page 7

Widening Participation

36%

13%

Page 8

Widening Participation

36%

13%

21%

Page 9

Widening Participation

30%

21%

36%

13%

Widening Participation – Barriers to Higher Education

Page 10

• Family

• Peers

• Confidence

• Aspirations

• Finance

• Education

University OFFA Agreement

Widening Participation Events

Page 11

Large scale events Taster sessions

In-school Residentials

Page 12

• Open days

• Visit days

• HE Fairs

• Supporting your academic school

Recruitment

SECL Employability Series

University of Kent Ambassador Scheme: Learn, Help & Earn

AN AMBASSADOR PERSPECTIVEEmma Perot

How the scheme can benefit you: Diversity at university and beyond

Page 14

How the scheme can benefit you: Learning Enrichment

Page 15

How the scheme can benefit you: Employability

Page 16

• Don’t become a scarecrow

• Gain employability points as an ambassador

• Typical scheme progression: General -> Schools -> Lead

Personal Development: Career Prospects

Page 17

• Selected SECL ambassador graduate destinations: Education Strategy and Best Practice Officer at Mencap

(French and Italian student) Translation Project Manager (Hispanic Studies) Advisor Claims Broker (English Language) Company Director (Philosophy) Primary School Teacher (French) Special Education Needs Teacher (Religious Studies) University Outreach/Recruitment (Comparative Literature)

How to get involved

• E-mail Outreach@kent.ac.uk for further information

• Recruitment process

• CRB check

• Relevant and professional training

Page 18