In my last blog, I took a moment to reflect as semester 2 ended and undergraduate students finished assessments. This time, I’m keen to highlight our staff and students for whom the summer isn’t always a period of rest and reflection.
I was lucky enough to be invited along to the recent Post Graduate Employer Networking Event, where I was able to speak to some of our employer partners hoping to recruit from our talented Post Graduate cohort. I also spent some time chatting to students from across the university who are in the thick of working on dissertations, practice tracks, consulting projects and other final assessment activities, alongside looking for their next opportunities.
I was deeply impressed by the enthusiasm and resilience of students juggling these important priorities, as well as the collaborative efforts of the various staff teams involved in organising this cross-faculty event – it really epitomises the University at its best, supporting talented students into exciting and impactful careers.
I’ve really enjoyed learning more about our postgraduate and doctoral students and their journeys this year, as we’ve begun reviews of our education and student experience in these areas. The diverse backgrounds and aspirations of these groups sometimes make it challenging to ensure we’re delivering what every student is looking for as a unique individual, but there’s real strength in the range of perspectives our taught and research focused Postgraduates bring to the University, and our wider community, and it’s important to ensure these are heard. I look forward to using insights from our various student voice surveys and groups, along with those of the upcoming Dissertation Survey, and the range of activities the Doctoral College team, Jura and the SU have been working on, to inform our thinking about the year ahead and our longer-term future.
The Networking Event is just one example of the many and varied activities which are ongoing throughout the summer period. The sometimes-quiet campus during this time might give the initial impression of vacation, but there are dedicated teams across the University working hard to support our community – both those who keep our campus running smoothly, including 24/7 Library and Security services, Campus Services, and those working ‘behind the scenes’.
The SU and ResLife teams have developed a packed programme of activities to help ensure that life in Bath for those still with us during the summer is fun-filled, and there are opportunities for some light relief from the hard work of study. Over the past month alone, there have been trips, picnics, workshops and even dance classes, alongside the sports passes kindly provided by Team Bath. I hope a good time has been had by all involved, and that some of you manage to partake in the many events happening in the city during this time too.
Careers, Skills, Student Support, and our SU Advice and Support Team continue to deliver vital student services, and all are still available for appointments and signposting. During this time, when the pressures of workload, job-hunting, results and resits, or uncertain next steps can feel significant, I’m proud of our commitment to supporting our students across all areas.
Our Recruitment & Admissions teams have been busy preparing for A-Level Results Day, as well as running Summer Schools for young people involved in our outreach activity. School students enjoying the best of what the university has to offer through programmes like Discover Bath, Pathway to Bath and Target Bath is a real summer highlight, which simply wouldn’t be possible without the tireless efforts of the teams involved, members of the academic community who support this work, and our many outstanding Student Ambassadors, who bring to life and share the Bath student experience.
These are just a handful of examples of colleagues whose contributions over the summer are essential to supporting our hard-working student community, and a valuable reminder that university life doesn’t stop over the ‘summer holidays’.
To all colleagues working hard over this period, thank you. To our students for whom this is a pivotal moment in your academic and/or career journey, keep going - we’re here to support you!
Find out more about Summer at Bath online, or join our Staff Outreach Community of Practice Teams site.
Respond