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<\/a>Westminster student Valerio applied to be a student caller in 2023, to connect with alumni and hear their stories. As a recipient of the Ignite Fund himself, he also wanted to give back to the community by helping raise money for other students:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI have received funding from the Ignite Fund myself and wanted other people in similar situations to mine to be able to benefit from it as much as I did.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Talking to alumni has been a positive and formative experience for Valerio, especially as it enabled him to hear how past graduates have navigated life after university:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBy reaching out to former students, I was able to hear their experiences, gain valuable career advice, and establish a sense of rapport. I gained a deeper understanding of how alumni have navigated their careers post-graduation, and many shared wisdom and insights that were both inspiring and practical.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Valerio tells us that being a student caller is also a great chance to develop new skills, such as communication and interpersonal skills:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cParticipating in this fundraising required very strong communication and interpersonal skills, especially understanding and connecting with the alumni. I became more confident in presenting the importance of the Ignite Fund, honing my ability to adapt conversations and convey messages effectively.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Valerio\u2019s experience as a student caller influenced his perspective on giving back to the University, inspiring him to see the importance of supporting current students:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSeeing how the donations help students develop their skills, launch projects, and achieve their dreams, really opened my eyes to the importance of giving back. It highlights how alumni contributions can directly empower future generations to succeed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/a>The experience was also rewarding for our student caller Tazmin, who shared her enriching conversations with alumni:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe campaign allowed me to meet a variety of alumni from different journeys and have meaningful conversations. Each alumnus had different experiences and taught me something.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A major takeaway from Tazmin\u2019s participation in the campaign is the value of working collaboratively:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWith regular goals, check-ins and a supportive team I enjoyed showing up to work. This experience taught me the importance of supporting each other in work environments.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As a current student, Tazmin was able to appreciate the impact of alumni donations on students\u2019 lives:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI was able to see the importance of how the alumni support helped current students succeed. I felt thankful that alumni were passionate about their support and making our dreams and goals a reality.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
All student callers\u2019 invaluable work has greatly influenced the student experience for all Ignite Fund recipients. Thanks to alumni donations, Westminster students are able to reach their full potential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n