A former Wiltshire College & University Centre student returned to her old campus this week to pass on experience and advice to her old course's current cohort.
Dani Donnelly finished a Level 3 Business course at the College’s Chippenham campus in 2017 and came back to visit the course’s 2021 and 2022 intake of students on Thursday.
After leaving the College, Dani went on to study at the University of Strathclyde Business School in Glasgow before taking on a graduate job as an Information Manager at Laing O’Rourke – an international engineering and construction company delivering state-of-the-art infrastructure and buildings projects for clients in the UK, Middle East and Australia.
Over two separate sessions, Dani spoke to Year 1 and Year 2 students currently studying the Level 3 Business course and discussed topics such as her own experiences on the course, degrees and university, internships and graduate schemes as well as passing on networking advice for those starting out their career.
Dani, now 25, said: “I really enjoyed my time on the course at the College and I would encourage everyone doing the course now to remember that the staff here want you to succeed. If you have any questions or want any help, just ask them. When I was on the course, we did some fantastic activities and went on some great trips, so it’s really about making the most of every opportunity.
“If you want to go to university afterwards, research where to go and make sure you are at the right university for what you want to do. When you are studying, try to get an internship as this will really help you gain experience and prepare you for when you are looking for your first job.”
Pippa Thomas, Lecturer in Business at the College, added: “We’re really pleased Dani could come back to the College to speak about her experiences in the workplace since finishing her course. It’s great to see how well she has done since leaving us.
“For our current students, getting first-hand insight from someone who has been in their shoes just a few years ago and understanding how what they learn in the classroom can translate to the world of work is always extremely beneficial.”
Business courses are offered at the College’s Chippenham, Salisbury and Trowbridge campuses, with options at post-16 and university-level available. Find out more, click here.
PICTURE: Pippa Thomas, Lecturer in Business, and former Wiltshire College & University Centre student Dani Donnelly
