Craig
2012 Politics graduate.
What have you gone on to do after graduating?
I graduated in 2012 and went on to do an MA and PhD in Politics at Newcastle University, eventually completing my studies in 2017-18.
Now, I am a Research Associate with the Wales Centre for Public Policy, a research organisation hosted by Cardiff University.
What were the benefits of the PARTNERS Programme for you?
There were so many benefits of the PARTNERS Programme. Without it, I would not have got the grades I needed to get into Newcastle University. Without that, I wouldn't have gone on to PhD study or the career I have now. Put simply, there is a direct connection between PARTNERS and my life as it is today.
The PARTNERS Programme also readied me for life at university. I was the first in my family to go to university. My parents joined me at Open Days with the same ignorance that I had, and we all learned as we went along. So to have two weeks within a department, interacting with lecturers and researchers was so helpful, not just for understanding the nature of the content on a degree programme, but to make university much less intimidating.
What support did you receive from the PARTNERS Team during the PARTNERS Academic Summer School and throughout your time at University?
The PARTNERS team were great during the Summer School, and made such an effort to make it an enjoyable and valuable experience.
If you could give advice or tips to a new PARTNERS student, what would it be?
Embrace it, and get out of it what you need. It's one of the best things I've ever done. How suitable it is for people is a very individual thing, but I wouldn't be where I am today without it.