Spotlight on Amanda McGrosky

What is your role and what does it involve?

I'm a student caller on the Annual Fund campaign, so I'm essentially representing the current face (or voice, more accurately) of UCL to our alumni. My fellow callers and I speak with UCL alums of all ages to keep them connected with the university, share information about events and alumni perks, and raise awareness and support for the Annual Fund. On slow days, the job involves lots of voicemails, but most days involve entertaining telephone conversations with some fantastic alumni who love to reminisce about their uni days and are on the whole extremely passionate about their time at UCL.

How long have you been at UCL and what was your previous role?

I've been at UCL for almost a year, having arrived from the US in September 2010 for my day job as an MSc student on the Palaeoanthropology and Palaeolithic Archaeology course.

What working achievement or initiative are you most proud of?

Beyond those initially difficult calls that take a 180-degree turn and end with lovely conversations, I'd have to say that it's playing a part in what all the student callers on the Annual Fund have accomplished. I really do feel that the Annual Fund is a great cause (I've personally benefited from it and know so many others who have as well), and I'm honoured to be able to raise support for a university that I've come to love. In the office, we had a running tally of how much money we'd made, and it was great to see the total grow and know that I'd contributed.

What is your life like outside UCL?

Good question! UCL is my life right now, as I'm well into my dissertation. It's not all work and no play though, and I certainly find the time to meet up with friends to relax and unwind. It's also just hit me that my time here is almost up, so I've recently been playing tourist and exploring the bits of London and the UK that I've completely taken for granted up until now-my current quest is for the best bagel shop in London (of course complete with primary research)!