Recent alumni volunteers
Ruling the airwaves
We knew we were in for an engaging talk the moment Ben Cooper, Controller at BBC Radio 1 and 1Xtra stepped into Ward Hall. “I used to dance across this stage to a bad version of Cabaret” he exclaimed as he revisited the Eastbourne campus he graduated from in 1990.
Ben explained to a captivated student audience how he went from dancing in Ward Hall to wielding the considerable power he now has across the UK’s airwaves. Ben talked the students through his tips and pointers about working in the media. He also spoke glowingly of the revelatory moment he knew he wanted to work in radio – inspired by the work experience he undertook whilst at university.
Ben also made time for an exclusive interview with Chalice Bartholomew, one of our current students from the Hastings campus, which will be published in the new year.
Here is one student’s perspective of the event.
“BBC Radio 1 controller Ben Cooper delighted students from across the University of Brighton in Eastbourne on Friday 16 November.
“Ben, who graduated in 1990 (HND Public Administration), initially reminisced of his student days on ‘the sunshine coast’ – what clubs on what nights – only the names have changed.
“His most significant message was the key role of work placements to anyone looking to get into the media industry. He spoke of months spent as the ‘work placement boy’ at local stations asking as many questions as possible. But intriguingly, he said what anybody will need first is luck, and that’s how student Elliott Russell bagged a day’s work experience at BBC Radio 1.
“Ben played a game by tossing a coin and those who guessed right remained standing until eventually only Elliott was left. His message was that luck really is a factor.
“Anecdotally, Ben described some of the bizarre demands made by some of the celebrity guests.
“Ben said his job over the next few years is to get more young people listening to BBC Radio 1, and suggested radio in five years will be unrecognisable to what it is today.
“This was an inspiring insight into the world of radio. Thank you Ben.”
Kieran Poole (Sport Journalism student)
“Never stop questioning and learning”
The School of Humanities together with the Careers Service and the Development and Alumni office hosted an employability event for students on 21 March 2012.
The event, aimed at all Humanities students, included skills sessions on pitching, speaking with confidence and networking as well as CV/application workshops run by careers counsellors. There were also various Q&A sessions with professionals from a number of different sectors/roles.
University of Brighton alumna, Anji Hunter, returned to Falmer to give an inspiring talk to the students on her top five tips for the world of work.
Anji started her career as political assistant to newly elected MP Tony Blair, eventually becoming Director of Government Relations for Blair’s government in 1997. She was described as “the most influential non-elected person in Downing Street”.
From 2002 until 2009, Anji was Group Director of Communications at BP, with responsibility for internal and external communications. She then took on the role of Director of External Affairs at the global conglomerate Anglo American plc, overseeing relations with the communities and governments where the company operates.
In October 2011 Anji was appointed as Director of the Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering.
One of the student attendees, Kelly Heane (pictured with Anji) said: “The employability day was fantastic for networking and for getting yourself out there. Anji Hunter is so inspirational and a fantastic asset for the University of Brighton, its students and alumni. I’m so pleased I got to see her talk at my university.”
“They taught me everything I know about fashion”
Internationally acclaimed fashion designer and Brighton alumnus Julien MacDonald OBE, returned to his roots on 19 March 2012 to talk to University of Brighton fashion students about his illustrious career.
Julien took part in a panel discussion as part of an annual UK-wide, talent-spotting tour of university fashion departments called Fashion Fringe.
He studied fashion textiles with business at the University of Brighton before receiving a scholarship to the Royal College of Art (RCA). He has won international acclaim for his glamorous designs and in 2000 became chief designer at the Paris couture house, Givenchy.
The Fashion Fringe event coincides with a call for applications to the Fashion Fringe award. The competition was organised by Colin McDowell, who initiated the event in recognition that not all fashion industry professionals and students can be London-based. The aim is to help connect young talent in the UK regions with the London fashion scene.
Julien tweeted after the event: “I loved university; it was the best time of my life. They taught me everything I know about fashion.”
Steve Maycock, Business Studies BA(Hons) 1975
Steve is a current member of the Board of Governors. He regularly volunteers at university events such as family welcome days and recently filled a packed lecture theatre when he delivered a specialist talk about ‘selling yourself effectively’ to students and alumni. Steve’s experience as a senior human resources specialist meant he was able to share some fantastic pieces of advice about how to stand a better chance of success whether in employment terms or when pitching new ideas for business.
“Volunteering provides an opportunity to give back, but equally important, it provides the chance to meet bright, enthusiastic people with different experiences and views from mine... that experience alone makes volunteering worthwhile.”
Ben Cooper, Controller at Radio 1
