Career driven students rewarded

The annual awards, now in their fourth year, look to develop employability and give financial support for innovative career ideas. 

Overseas trips beckon for three students. Caroline Warwick-Evans, a third year Renewable Energy student, will be leading a project in a small community in Borneo’s rainforest, looking at the potential to introduce electricity via hydro power micro-turbines, and the social and economic impact of this. The joint Exeter and Falmouth University student led expedition will be followed by schools in Cornwall via satellite and web updates from July to October. Second year Mechanical Engineering student Charlie Birkett will be spending a month in Uganda installing and improving sanitary conditions at rural primary schools. Both students’ trips are supported by Engineers without Borders, an organization that helps your people learn about technology’s role in tackling poverty. English third year Annabel Wilkinson will be using the award to go on a law and human rights voluntary placement in Africa or Asia before undertaking the Graduate Diploma in Law.  

Louise Carmichael, third year Sport and Exercise Sciences student, will use the payout to support a two year Paediatric Nursing Diploma in London and a British Sign Language course. Third year Geographer Sam Gillchrest is taking professional yachting qualifications with the aim for working as a watch officer for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency. 

 Professor Janice Kay, Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of Exeter says: “These awards enable students to turn good ideas into a plan of action. When judging we are looking for students who are driven, focused and willing to go the extra mile to ensure career success. It is great that these awards are being used for such a variety of projects, to show that Exeter students are having an impact around the world.” 

Competition was intense for the five £1,000 awards, with 51 applications received. All applicants had to write and submit a costed proposal explaining what it was they needed and how it would help their future employability.

These proposals were judged by staff at the Careers and Employment Service and by Dr Floella Benjamin, OBE DL Chancellor of the University of Exeter. The Floella Benjamin Career Development awards were devised by the University of Exeter’s Careers and Employment Service as part of a range of opportunities available to students to develop their personal skills and employability.