At Westminster, we always encourage our students to make the most of their time at our university and take advantage of all the amazing opportunities we offer. These are things like the Social Media Ambassador programme, student jobs within the university, and our wide range of student services on Engage.
One student who stands as a perfect example of what can be achieved when you really give it your all is Vedika Malhotra, a Marketing Communications MSc graduate. She has written the following inspiring blog post about her journey!
Success Code Unlocked: If You Can Dream It, You Can Do It!
15-year old Vedika dared to dream of leaving behind more than just a mark; I envisioned carving out a legacy. Today, 25-year old Vedika is on the pathway of turning that dream into reality. My journey as an international student at the University of Westminster isn’t just about luck or waiting for things to happen – it’s about rolling up my sleeves and making them happen.
Looking back on 2023, it feels like a rollercoaster of opportunities, challenges, and lessons learned, all wrapped up in the adventure of pursuing my master’s degree at Westminster. While I was the boat that just went with the flow, my family and the incredible friends I made in London were my anchor. From stepping out of my comfort zone to building from ground zero, this experience has been a crash course in freedom and responsibility
From one day to day one
Right from day one of my journey as an international student, I found myself immersed in a vibrant mix of cultures and individuals in the heart of London. Interacting with students from around the globe enriched my learning experience, broadening my horizons to diverse perspectives and innovative approaches. Community building and collaboration quickly became central to my experience.
Apart from the academic exposure, living in London brought new challenges every day – from struggling to figure out the TFL underground lines to independently navigating the streets without Google Maps. This chapter of my life taught me the importance of courage and quick decision-making.
If an opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door!
In the span of a year, I landed not one, not two, but three internship opportunities at Westminster. Having my priorities fixed on finding a part-time job that adds credibility to my CV, I was able to strive for more and follow a proactive pursuit.
The University of Westminster’s Talent Bank was the platform that gave me the right returns for my commitment and effort. I bagged my first part-time role as the Business Development Assistant for the apprenticeships team. This market research-focused role revolved around industry and competitor analysis to enhance Westminster’s offerings, including ad-hoc business development activities and networking with companies eligible for partnering with Westminster’s apprenticeship program.
Transitioning to my next role as a Social Media Ambassador, I collaborated closely with the communications team to curate content for the university’s social media platforms. Through my content, I had the opportunity to showcase my unique journey as an international student, highlighting the vibrant culture and academic excellence at Westminster. What I enjoyed most was the flexibility and scope for collaboration this role offered.
With just 20 hours on the clock for part-time jobs, I thought this would be it and my year would go by fulfilling these two jobs. But little did I know, striving for more could get me more than I expected.
From storytelling to story-doing
Before pursuing my master’s degree, I worked as a public relations executive for global brands, storytelling their ESG narratives as they contributed the mandated 2% towards CSR. Yet, I always aspired to be on the other side of the table, making real contributions to society and the planet.
Enter my third internship at Westminster: Media & Community Engagement Officer for the Cavendish Living Lab. This groundbreaking project aims to develop innovative, sustainable AI-based solutions that align with the UN Sustainability Goals, tackling food and water waste on our campus. My mission was to amplify the project’s presence across media platforms and spearhead community engagement activities, fostering partnerships that were charitable, educational, and voluntary.
Continuing my purpose journey, I signed up to volunteer as the Social Media & Copywriting Manager at Enactus Westminster. Enactus is a dynamic community of 3500+ students and business leaders across >60 UK Universities, united by a shared vision of using entrepreneurial action to drive positive change. At Enactus Westminster, I led social media initiatives to amplify student engagement and promote our groundbreaking project, “An Accessible World,” aimed at enhancing accessibility for the hard of hearing community. This role further fuelled my passion for creating positive change.
Making it happen
From staying away from home for the first time to making new friends in an unknown country, the thrill and adventure of studying abroad brought me with experiences unlike anything I’ve ever known. If I had to sum up what this past year has taught me, it would be with the famous words of Shannon L. Alder: “Life always begins with one step outside of your comfort zone”.
To all the aspiring students out there, remember that the journey might be challenging, but the rewards are beyond measure. Embrace every moment, seek out opportunities, and never be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. If you can DREAM IT, you can DO IT!
About Westminster
As one of the most diverse universities in the UK, we are a global university with London energy, with more than 19,000 students from 169 countries. To find out more about our courses, visit the University of Westminster website.
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