Student life in Bangor

Student Employee’s hard work recognised

A graduating student at Bangor University who worked part-time whilst studying has had her hard work recognised with an award.

Michelle Hamlet from Skelmersdale, Lancashire who is an employee of Bangor University’s Centre for Careers and Opportunities (CCO) made it through to the national final of the 2010 Student Employee Awards, having been named as the winner of the Wales heat.

Michelle, who is graduating with a degree in English Language, has worked in a variety of roles at the University’s Careers Centre over the past three years and is currently working with the B-Enterprising project, assisting with organising student events. Following the completion of her degree course, Michelle has joined the team as a full-time project assistant.

Michelle said, “I was nominated for the Award by the staff at the CCO. The award is organised through National Association of Student Employment Services (NASES) and they found out about it through their involvement with the organisation.

“The first stage was being chosen to represent the University and I then went through to the regional finals, which is where I was chosen as Wales’s candidate for National Student Employee of the Year.

“The next stage was the national finals held at the NASES annual conference in Edinburgh, where six regional finalists competed against each other.”

Whilst Michelle was not named as the untimate winner in the national finals, she is still happy to have won the Wales round of the competition. “I’m really pleased about reaching the regional finals, and it was great to represent Bangor University on a national level,” she said.

Michelle has enjoyed the various jobs she’s undertaken at the Careers Centre and is grateful to her colleagues for the encouragement she has received.

She added, “My colleagues have been supportive and have encouraged me to keep a good balance between working and studying. I’ve gained a great deal of experience in all the different roles as well as having lots of fun!

“Combining work and study has been difficult at times, as I’ve had to keep really organised and I seem to be busy every day but all the staff at the Centre for Careers & Opportunities have helped me immensely throughout my time at University.

“They are dedicated to providing students with valuable work related information, skills and experience and this has been reflected in my experience with them. They have provided continual support during my studies and have encouraged me to improve my skills and experience.”