To many of us millennials, Graduation can feel like the moment we’ve been working towards almost our entire lives. From the SAT tests, to the GCSEs, to the A-Levels, to that moment of elation when you get your university offer letter, to the ups and downs of uni life and finally to the moment when someone says yes, finally, “congratulations, you’ve done it”. What a journey and what a moment. And to be able to stand, as our November graduands do, on the stage of the Royal Festival Hall and receive your degree, well, it’s definitely one worthy of the investment.

But what does it really mean to have a degree in your hand? Well, yes, it does mean that you’re much more likely to enjoy more money and opportunities than a non-graduate, but whilst employment is crucial, it’s also important to realise that a degree is so much more than that. It’s about the friends that you meet along the way, the knowledge that you build, and learning for learning’s sake, it’s about the life-skills that you learn and independence that you gain. It’s about learning to fry an egg or do your own laundry, getting over those nights out and saying ‘I’ll never do that again…’  It’s about overcoming challenges and not giving up, it’s about grit and determination, trying new things, discovering new paths, challenging preconceptions and finding your own way in life. It’s about discipline and strength and courage, preparation for life in the big wide world.

And so when I looked out at our graduating students on Monday I was probably as proud as I was at my own graduation. The Royal Festival Hall was decked to the nines, the brass band sounded a treat and the auditorium was full (twice) of happy, excited, nervous students donning gowns and hats and families wearing their ‘proud as punch’ expressions. Following a robed procession of Westminster’s academics, the ceremony was officially opened by the Chair of the Board of Governors and Westminster Business School’s new Dean, Professor Malcolm Kirkup congratulated and welcomed students and their friends and families from around the globe. Following the ceremony, Westminster’s new Graduands enjoyed champagne receptions across three floors and plenty of photo opportunities with famous London landmarks like the Thames and Big Ben in the background.

There was the throwing of hats…

The reunion of friends…

Our busy alumni team welcoming their new alums on board…

Proud staff…

And plenty of fun to go around…

All that’s left to say, is congratulations again to all of our new graduates – we at the Business School are all very proud of your accomplishments and we feel privileged that we were able to share some of that journey with you. Of course this is not the end but the start of a new chapter and whilst I know that many of you are already in jobs both in the UK and abroad, please do make time to keep us updated with everything that you are up to 🙂

Well done!!!

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Jeni Stokes

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