How Unitemps helped pave the way for personal growth

Finding a job

When I arrived in London to start my Master’s degree, I wasn’t sure what to expect, as it was my first time living away from home. Like many Gen Z students, I turned to the Middlesex University Instagram page to familiarise myself with the university.

One post that stood out was a Campus Mini Guide, which introduced different facilities on campus, including Unitemps and its flexible student job opportunities.

As an international student, finding work was a priority alongside my studies, so I quickly explored what Unitemps had to offer. Seeing the Student Careers Assistant role caught my attention, as it aligned with my previous recruitment experience.

Although I hesitated at first, unsure how to balance work and study and whether the role would help me stand out academically, I ultimately decided to apply, with encouragement from my family and a willingness to step outside my comfort zone.

The application process

The process was simple. I had to submit a CV and cover letter and complete a short video interview on the Shortlist.Me platform, which took less than 20 minutes.

I had heard about video interviewing in my previous role but had never had the opportunity to experience it first-hand. The platform offered an opportunity to practise questions for administrative positions and a variety of other roles, so I used that as part of my preparation to feel more comfortable before the interview.

It ended up being more beneficial than I expected, as the interview consisted of four short questions asking about my skills and experience, as well as what I could bring to the role as a Careers Assistant.

After a week of waiting, I got an email inviting me to participate in an interview day. I’ll admit, the idea of a whole day dedicated to interviewing sounded extremely terrifying and had me second-guessing whether I really wanted a job, but it turned out better than I could have hoped.

I got to meet a lot of great people through the various group-based activities, one of whom I am working with to this day. While the interview process was different to what I’m used to, it gave me the opportunity to learn more about myself and see how my skills can shine in different situations.

The day I got the job offer, I was ecstatic, but nervous to step into a completely new role in a new country. Luckily, before the job even began, we were given a couple of weeks of training to better understand the ins and outs of the Careers and Futures department and the part we would play as Careers Assistants.

This gave me and the other new hires the chance to adapt to the expectations of the role and even share our ideas on potential improvements that could be made.

Developing my graduate competencies

As a Middlesex student, we constantly hear about the Graduate Competencies and how we can develop them throughout our time at university. What I didn’t realise was how much I would grow over this five-month period.

I applied for the position with my experience and willingness to work in a team environment, hoping that it would give me an opportunity to develop my skills in recruitment.

Unexpectedly, I also became involved in marketing support, contributing ideas and creating social media content. Despite having no prior marketing experience, the encouragement from the team helped me build confidence and develop technological agility using tools such as CapCut and Photoshop.

I’ve developed my curiosity, constantly looking for ways to learn and improve in various areas, stepping out of my comfort zone into roles I would never have pictured myself in. I’ve uncovered skills that I didn’t realise I had through teamwork and collaboration with my fellow Careers Assistants, making me grow more confident in my skills and contributions to the team.

Through planning and supporting various events throughout the semester, I’ve grown into someone who is more innovative and creative, giving me a chance to showcase my skills outside of a recruitment role and apply them to various settings and activities. I’ve learned to problem-solve and adapt to setbacks along the way, accepting that not every day is smooth sailing.

Additionally, supporting students during drop-in sessions improved my communication skills and reduced my anxiety around phone calls and providing guidance, helping me feel more assured in supporting others with their career development.

An invaluable experience

This experience, despite being a temporary role, has been pivotal in my personal development. I’ve become more secure in myself and my skills, and more confident than I was five months ago.

The Careers and Futures team has been an amazing support system, providing myself and the team with guidance whenever we needed it. Having a team like that has made the greatest difference in my experience, and I would not trade it for anything.

My advice to anyone who’s looking to grow during their time at university is to take the leap. Don’t hesitate to apply for an on-campus position. It may help you in more ways than you’d expect, and you will learn so much about yourself.

Learn more about our Careers and Futures Hub.