Careers and Employability Service » Career Growth Festival: Zainab’s Experience

Career Growth Festival: Zainab’s Experience

19 October 2023
Career Employability
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The University of Westminster (Early Careers Support) sponsored the Career Growth Festival, featuring 18 speakers and 20 career-related sessions.

Hello Westminster graduates! My name is Zainab, and I’m a recent Westminster graduate with a BA in Criminology and Arabic. I recently attended the Career Growth Festival. I couldn’t wait to share my experience with you all. Imagine three days of incredible learning, fun, and lasting connections – that’s exactly what I experienced at the Career Growth Festival!

Let’s dive into my three-day experience of career enlightenment!

Day 1:

Day one kicked off with a great start to networking. Our Superpower? The ability to connect! You never know where a valuable connection might come from. We learned how to build bridges, not just professional contacts, but to find your team that supports your career aspirations. Speakers shared gems on how to stay motivated when things get tough – a critical skill for any graduate.

A standout moment was when Chrysa shared that we all have superpowers and need to know where to look. It was like a light bulb moment – our superpowers lie within, and we need to uncover and utilise them! We did this through practical exercises to discover our skills, strengths, and knowledge through a fun activity to form the Career Growth Festival Justice League!

Day 2:

Day two offered diverse sessions, covering topics from interview confidence to career progression. I was inspired by the fantastic speakers who shared valuable takeaways. One key lesson was the immense impact that a small change and saying ‘yes’ can have.

As a recent graduate, I resonated deeply with the advice to say ‘yes’ even when feeling unprepared. There have been instances where self-doubt and fear held me back from seizing opportunities, whether job interviews or career progression. I’ve struggled with the fear of failure, imposter syndrome, and the feeling of not being good enough. However, I’ve realised that self-confidence is the key to career development and creating more avenues for success.

Moreover, we explored the importance of self-care and self-compassion. Burnout affects us differently, emphasising the need to be kind to ourselves as we are to others.

Day 3:

The final day was about networking and engaging with others and some final golden advice! The sessions included Dionne sharing her top tips on time management, such as organising tasks by breaking them down and creating a plan.

Other sessions included great topics such as boosting productivity through nutrition and blood sugar balance, building confidence, knowing your values, and aligning them with your business values, which were quite insightful and knowledgeable.

As I wrap up this blog, I want to express my deepest gratitude to the organisers, Chrysa and Dionne, for putting together such an exceptional event. It wasn’t just informative; it was fun, engaging, and filled with opportunities to connect with like-minded individuals. There were a lot of thought-provoking moments, and the workbook provided helped keep my notes organised and navigate through the activities, making it easier to create actionable points. Concepts and ideas were simplified for us to explore and understand without becoming overly complex.

To my fellow Westminster graduates, if you ever have the chance to attend the Career Growth Festival, don’t hesitate for a moment. It’s a fantastic experience that will leave you inspired, informed, and ready to take on your career journey.

Until next time, keep growing, learning, and pursuing your dreams! 🌟🚀

P.S. Seeing so many Westminster graduates eager to connect and share their experiences was also excellent. If you attended the festival too, feel free to share your favorite takeaways in the comments below. Let’s keep the conversation going! 🗨️

Westminster graduates have three years of career support after their graduation date. If you would like further support after graduation, please email the careers team at careers@westminster.ac.uk or see our Early Careers Support webpage.

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Many thanks to Zainab, our graduate intern for the Early Graduate Support project, for this excellent blog.

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