First year business students at the University of Aberdeen had the chance to meet and network with student mentors and potential employers courtesy of an event held at the University's Old Aberdeen campus.
The First Year Revision Skills Event, which included a careers networking evening, was hosted by the University’s Business School on Wednesday, November 11.
First held in 2014, the event gives new students the opportunity to gain an insight into the vital skills required when moving from school to university, while providing students who are further along in their studies the chance to organise and manage a large-scale event.
In addition to picking up new skills, students gained a valuable insight into the world of business thanks to the presence of professionals from companies including Anderson Anderson & Brown, Business Gateway, CIMA, Deloitte, Elevator, Enterprise Campus, Ernst & Young, ICAS, KPMG, PWC and SIE.
Lindsay Tibbetts, a teaching fellow at the University of Aberdeen, praised the efforts of the students involved in organising this year’s event.
She said: “This is the third time that we have held the First Year Revision Skills event, and once again our students have done a fantastic job in ensuring its success.
“Not only did our first year students learn valuable practical skills which will stand them in good stead during their time at university, but they also had the chance to valuable insight from older students and industry professionals.
“Our students worked tirelessly to organise and manage the day, using different skills they have learned during their time at university to facilitate and host the event. They are also sharing these skills with earlier stage students, passing on their expertise so that we can continue to host similar events in future.”
The student organising team comprised Business School students Michaela McCombie, Rhiann Simpson, Heather McAllister, Sarim Amair, Mihaela Pantaleeva, Szabolcs Hari, Nikola Macovska, and Kostadin Sorchev.
Michaela, who is a third year student studying for a degree in Accountancy-Finance, commented: "This event has been an excellent experience for all involved, as well as being of huge value to first year students. Its success was driven by the commitment and input of the student team, as well as the support from Lindsay, Allan, John and Pina at the Business School.
“We are very proud to be able to offer valuable experience to our student volunteers whilst also passing on crucial academic and employability skills to the new first years. We are already looking forward to planning for next year’s event and ensuring that it is every bit as successful.”
Rhiann Simpson, who is also in her third year of a degree in Accountancy-Finance, added: "The continued support and positive feedback we have had from employers has highlighted how beneficial this event is. The combination of employers and older students providing tips and guidance for new students is helping make the transition to university as easy as possible for our new first year students.”
Kostadin Sorchev, a final-year Economics and Management Studies student, took on the role of marketing officer responsible for promoting the career networking evening, which included a speed networking event.
He said: “I have been involved in this project for three years now, and this has given me the confidence to organise and promote events of this nature. As fourth year students one of our main goals this year was to pass on our expertise to new committee members, and I was excited to guide my own associate so that she can take on my role once I have graduated.
“I hope the event has given first year students more confidence, and that they use what they have learned in their studies and their future careers. I also hope that that those involved made some new friends and have a better understanding of the different employers and numerous opportunities that await them.”
PICTURE: Students and staff from the University of Aberdeen Business School at the event. From left to right: Kostadin Sorchev, Michaela McCombie, Lindsay Tibbetts, Heather McAllister, Rhiann Simpson, Nikola Macoskova, Sarim Amair, Allan Sim and John Lamb.