Curious about Careers? An insight into Local Connections and LU connections.

My name is Reena Menezes, and I recently graduated from Lancaster University. I studied Computer Science and Mathematics, and I am interested in a role which uses a mix of problem solving, programming and creativity.

In this blog, I’ll share my experiences of joining Grow Your Future in two career trips where we visited employers, networked and explore different careers.

Local Connections was a trip that explored some of the companies Lancashire has to offer. We started the day at BBC Radio Lancashire where we got the opportunity to listen to a panel of employees. It was fascinating to hear about the personal stories from working on projects the BBC delivered. We then explored the radio sets where we got a glimpse of how the operation works behind the scenes.

The Super Slow Ways talked more about their experiences from leaving university and entering the workforce. It was really encouraging to hear about how they navigated through different jobs to discover what they were truly interested in. We got to hear more about how their work is shaped by the local community and their experiences in working towards a meaningful goal.

In our visits to Thwaites, we got to learn so much more about the hospitality sector, in particular, the hotels, restaurants, brewery and marketing. Thwaites showcased that companies offer such a wide range of roles. From exploring the office spaces, brewery and seeing the horses, it highlighted the importance of knowing all the opportunities which you could be interested in.

LU Connections was a great way to learn more about how the university works behind the scenes. Starting the day with the library department, we discovered the operations that the different team handles, and the wide range of skills needed to maintain the library. It was insightful to hear from the team what they enjoy most from their work.

The Alumni lunch was the highlight of the trip. It was a great experience to network and meet the staff in a friendly environment. I got to meet lots of different people from different departments. It was a lovely opportunity to ask questions, get tips for applications, hear personal stories and more.

I found these two trips to be insightful and motivating when it comes to thinking about my next steps. As someone who recently graduated from university, it can be difficult to understand what you can do and what opportunities are available to me. Through meeting with lots of different companies and departments, I feel like I’ve improved my networking skills and became more open minded to new opportunities.

If you are interested in attending LU or Local Connections 2027, please register your interest here - https://lancasteruni.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eamKWxuXtcTzQc6

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