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Make the most of UCL Bentham Connect with Graduate Guides
24 November 2021
In an online event hosted by the UCL Alumni Relations team, UCL Bentham Connect Graduate Guides went live on the platform to provide valuable first-hand experiences of UCL, insights and career advice to students and alumni.
UCL Bentham Connect, dedicated exclusively to the UCL community, is a personal and professional networking site with a network of over 26,000 students, staff and alumni. From finding career opportunities to accessing professional development resources, UCL Bentham Connect is here to help build meaningful connections across our global UCL community.
UCL Bentham Connect is also home to Graduate Guides: a friendly and supportive community of alumni volunteers who dedicate their time to offering support, guidance and mentoring to fellow alumni and students through the platform.
As part of the ‘Discover Bentham Connect’ event on 20 October, 8 Graduate Guides took to the platform to share with a live audience of students and alumni their top tips for making the most of the wealth of opportunities available on UCL Bentham Connect, as well as personal and professional development advice.
5 top tips to make the most of UCL Bentham Connect
1. Connect with alumni around the world
Natasha Winnard (BA Geography 1994) says, “Connect with alumni as a way of continuing your UCL learning. We all have so much to learn from each other. Reach out to people of different ages, from a different academic discipline, who have taken a different career path, speak a different first language or are from another culture to you. This is learning at its best- set it as a goal!”
Natale Vittori (MSc Biochemical Engineering 1976) agrees: “Make the most of the community on UCL Bentham Connect- interact, exchange opinions and learn from UCL students and professionals around the world!”
2. Connect with UCL Bentham Connect Graduate Guides
“Reach out to us Graduate Guides for advice on making the most of life at UCL and beyond- including professional development and wellbeing.” Pradeep Din, (BSc Economics 1979)
Graduate Guides are a great place to start on Bentham Connect, whether you're looking to make a connection, just ask a question or start a mentoring relationship. Located across the globe and from wide-ranging careers, UCL degrees and graduation years, Graduate Guides are on hand to help students and alumni navigate life at UCL and beyond. There are over 50 Graduate Guides on Bentham Connect. Discover the Graduate Guide community.
3. Follow your curiosity
Nick Lawrie (PGCE History 2020) says, “I'd really encourage you to explore your curiosity and imagination through the alumni network on Bentham Connect and enjoy all the opportunities it can unlock!”
“My tip for connecting with UCL alumni is nothing beats being active and curious!” Pedro Garcia (MEng (Mechanical) 2018)
The Graduate Guides were also joined during the live session by members of the UCL Alumni Relations Team who offered their advice on how to make the most of UCL Bentham Connect:
4. Use the UCL Directory
Use the UCL Directory on Bentham Connect to connect with users by career, UCL degree, graduation year, professional skills, location. Search the directory.
5. Browse UCL events
Find information about UCL’s professional development event series ‘UCL Connect’ and other UCL events open to both alumni and students. Browse upcoming events.
Alumni advice: tips for current students
As former UCL students, during the live event the Graduate Guides also shared some top tips for current students:
1. Pick up as many transferrable skills as you can
“Regardless of the industry you’d like to work in after graduation, it’s vital that you are able to show employers you possess critical soft skills, for example, effective communication skills. Based on my interactions with employers (including my own!), they are usually more willing to be lenient with lack of technical skills since they can be learnt on-the-job, as long as you possess the necessary core skills to learn and grow continuously in your position.” Tracy Tan (BSc Biological Sciences 2018)
2. Explore your options
“Don’t be afraid to get involved in activities that interest you across the wider university experience. Don’t just "box" yourselves into your degree and assume you have to follow a related career path.” Gabriel Arusoea (BA History 2018)
3. Get involved in extra-curricular activities
“As a student, I founded the UCL Guitar Society with a group of my friends. This was not only a way to connect with new people and pick up new skills, but also a fantastic opportunity to contribute to the community and have lots of fun in the process. I eventually went on to found a start-up and besides the academic knowledge I gained at UCL, the various extracurricular involvements contributed heavily to me developing transferrable skills that I find myself applying in my work to this day.” Sarjeena Maodud (BSc Computer Science 2016 and MSc Technology Management 2017)
UCL Bentham Connect is here to help you make global connections and find support from your community. Join UCL Bentham Connect today and connect with a Graduate Guide.
