From education to employment

Careers professional reaches final of national award

A member of the Careers and Employability (@chestercareers) team at the University of Chester has been shortlisted for a national award.

Hannah Perkins made it through to the last five of the national Target Jobs awards for the Higher Education Careers and Employability Professional of the Year.

This prestigious award celebrates the achievements of higher education institutions, or individuals, in ensuring that their undergraduates are best equipped to achieve their potential when searching and applying for graduate roles and transitioning to employment.

This recognition reflects Hannah’s work in developing the Chester Difference Award (CDA) and her commitment to the positive impact that the award can have on the confidence and skill development of students and graduates and perhaps most importantly, their ability to reflect upon and articulate their skills and experiences to employers. This nomination also represents Hannah’s support of a range of initiatives within Careers and Employability and her desire to go above and beyond.

The CDA was designed by the University to recognise extra-curricular activities. In 2020, Hannah led on a major redevelopment of the scheme to help progress students’ career thinking and to support them to recognise and articulate the skills they have gained through these activities.

Each year the University holds a celebration event for participants in the CDA to recognise their achievements.

Hannah said: “The thing I enjoy most about my role is the opportunity to support students in their career development and understanding of the value of activities outside of the curriculum. It is hugely rewarding to hear about the confidence that participants have developed through their involvement in activities. There are a vast range of activities that can add value alongside a degree and it is a pleasure to work with students to recognise the value they have gained from part-time jobs, caring responsibilities and voluntary roles. In addition, I get to work with amazing people, at the University and in the sector, developing the offer for students.

“It was an honour to be shortlisted in the top five alongside some exceptional Careers and Employability professionals and I would like to thank my colleagues for nominating me and to all the students, graduates, colleagues, employer partners and AGCAS members who provided feedback and spent time helping us develop the new CDA process.”

An event to celebrate the achievements of the current cohort of students taking part in the Chester Difference Awards will take place on Tuesday, May 31 at Chester Racecourse.


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