Salad Days?: Reflections of Alumni on their Undergraduate Experiences Judy Donnelly, Leeds Trinity University College Julia Tum, Leeds Metropolitan University

page 2LTC 8 Judy Donnelly & Julia Tum The objectives of our research Aim  To improve future students’ experience whilst at university Objectives  To harness the views, reflection and hindsight from our alumni  To consider if there are any similarities in views between quite diverse student populations in a small and a large university – why? A quick win?  To start a process of building solutions to common issues.

page 3LTC 8 Judy Donnelly & Julia Tum The objectives of this session  To introduce our research to you, the methodology used and the analysis  To demonstrate the process and our consideration of the findings  To consider if there are any similarities of views of our own alumni  To enable you to replicate and / or improve on our research for your own research involving your department’s alumni.

page 4LTC 8 Judy Donnelly & Julia Tum The research process  Delphi technique  Sampling of alumni  Anonymous collection of data over 4 weeks  Analysis of data and creation of themes

page 5LTC 8 Judy Donnelly & Julia Tum Stage one of the process Think back to your own undergraduate education Answer the questions individually! You have 3 minutes maximum  I wish I had known about …………....  I wish I had known how to …………..  I wish I had known where to find…….

page 6LTC 8 Judy Donnelly & Julia Tum Now Let us consider some of the common themes and then compare them to our own research

page 7LTC 8 Judy Donnelly & Julia Tum Some of our research findings Leeds Trinity University College Top 6 themes in order of our coded themes:- Study skills Careers Degree/programme issues Placements Time issues WLB; finance and social life came last Leeds Met Top 6 themes in order of our coded themes:- Study skills Degree issues Placement and volunteering opportunities Social opportunities Careers Finance issues and resources and WLB came last.

page 8LTC 8 Judy Donnelly & Julia Tum Some of our research findings Leeds Met Top 6 themes in order of our coded themes:- Study skills Degree issues Placement and volunteering opportunities Social opportunities Careers Finance issues and resources and WLB came last.

page 9LTC 8 Judy Donnelly & Julia Tum  Leeds Trinity University College Top 6 themes in order of our coded themes:-  Study skills  Careers  Degree/programme issues  Placements  Time issues  WLB; finance and social life came last

page 10LTC 8 Judy Donnelly & Julia Tum Research findings – how can alumni help existing students? Leeds Trinity University College Leeds Met

page 11LTC 8 Judy Donnelly & Julia Tum Alumni’s “Ground Breaking Ideas” 1. taster sessions with different employers for students to experience different areas of the industry to make career choices. Sessions could involve presentations from companies along with taster training sessions in main service areas i.e. stewarding, security, AV, event agencies, venue management 2. Offer current students an alumni mentor. They would meet, in person or virtually, to allow the student to air issues about uni, personal life, future plans etc. Each willing alumni would have a bio and students could pick them, or lecturers could suggest mentors to students 3. Events for alumni and current students to meet at Leeds Met, maybe for an evening or lunchtime reception. It would be great for students to get the perspective on life after graduation and get a feel for the importance of the alumni community. and for alumni to have a lifelong relationship with the University.

Thank you very much Any questions or observations?