Career coaching, tailored support systems and a lot of her own hard work have led to a flying start for new Lancaster graduate Colette Foster.

Colette joined the Lancaster Success Programme (LSP), which supports students from underrepresented backgrounds to thrive at University, as soon as she received her offer, and is now due to take up a role as a Graduate Management Trainee in local government.

“The support has been really valuable, and I would definitely recommend it”, said Colette, who this week graduated with a first class honours degree in French Studies and Geography.

Colette received a Contextual Offer to study at Lancaster, and was invited to join the LSP. She said: “There was an event online before coming, and it really helped me feel part of the university community before I got here.

“Then there was another event a few weeks into term, meeting other people on the LSP, and it was really nice to find out that there’s something ready for you.”

Colette also joined the GROW Your Future careers community, which provides eligible students opportunities such as one-to-one careers coaching, financial support, and networking opportunities. Through this, Colette took part in Capital Connections, visiting employers in Manchester and London, and discovered Impact: the local government graduate programme. After successfully completing several rounds of interviews and assessments, Colette will join Tamworth Borough Council as a Graduate Management Trainee in October, and then will take part in different placements over the next two years before applying to local government leadership roles.

Colette worked in local libraries after leaving school in Bristol, and has continued to do so during university holidays. She said: “I didn’t know about the Impact scheme before taking part in Capital Connections, and now I have a place on it. I can use what I have learned in my degree to serve the community, and it feels like I’ve come full circle.”

Colette has remained part of the LSP during her time at Lancaster, and last year became a student advocate, introducing seasonal woodland wellbeing walks for fellow students. She said: “I really recommend being part of the LSP. One of the benefits is having one-to-one sessions with a student success coach, and that has really helped me recognise what I have achieved. The support has been there, and it has been really valuable.”

Hannah Bell, Careers Widening Participation Manager, said: “Colette’s story is really a testament to how you can thrive here at Lancaster, whatever your background, skills and values, especially when you make the most of all that is on offer. We’re incredibly proud to have supported Colette’s journey, and delighted to see her begin a career where we know she will make a real impact in the communities she serves.”

Find out more about Lancaster University projects including the Lancaster Success Programme and GROW Your Future.