Hi. I'm Harshal. When I first arrived at the University of Bath, my goals were straightforward: pass my exams, make a few friends, and somehow survive the steep walk up Bathwick Hill. But as the time flew by, I realized that the real university experience happens outside the lecture halls. That realization is exactly what led me to register for the Bath Award - a journey that completely changed my perspective on what it means to be a graduate.
Student leadership with SUmmit
My first step was becoming a student leader by joining SUmmit. As the key representative body for students, SUmmit is the democratic core of the Students' Union. Serving on this committee provided a firsthand look at university governance and policy. I was actively involved in scrutinizing policy proposals, influencing SU direction, and holding student officers accountable. This was not a passive role; it demanded critical analysis and communication skills to ensure the student voice was not just heard but acted upon. It taught me the nuances of Collaboration and the responsibility of leadership within a complex, diverse community.
The challenge of real-world impact
The centre of my experience was taking part in the intense Rotork Community Challenge. This initiative, which bridges corporate engagement and community need, placed me on a team tasked with a crucial project for Mentoring Plus, a local charity dedicated to improving the lives of young people.
Our goal was to design, create, and brand a new "Wellbeing Box" which is a product intended to offer positive support and encouragement to vulnerable young people. This was a true test of my ability to apply academic strategic thinking to a tangible product. Over seven intense weeks, we navigated everything from market research and target audience empathy to professional product design and versatile branding suitable for future corporate partnerships.
The intensity of this challenge required significant Resilience. It was demanding and strategic work, requiring constant adaptability. A major point of pride, which I shared at the time on my LinkedIn profile, was that our strategic approach and the quality of our results earned us the Runner-Up position in the overall challenge. More importantly, it confirmed the powerful impact corporate engagement can have on vital community initiatives like Mentoring Plus.
Upskilling beyond the classroom
To truly target the award's core capabilities, the journey required us to look inward and actively upskill. I didn't just rely on what I already knew; I had to attend interactive workshops, dive into targeted further reading, and complete structured online courses. These modules were specifically designed to sharpen our Resilience, Communication, Professionalism, and Collaboration. Learning the theory behind these skills allowed me to immediately apply them to my roles on campus.
A final reflection
The journey wraps up with a final reflective submission, evaluating our growth. Looking back at the goals I set when I registered, I can honestly say I've met them and then some.
To anyone at Bath thinking about registering for the next cohort: do it. The Bath Award forces you to step out of your comfort zone, recognize your own value, and prove that you are ready for whatever comes next.
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