Giving back

Could you complete a quick online questionnaire? Or feature in a video profile when one of our colleagues are next in your region? This is a quick and easy way to share your Essex experience and inspire the next generation of students to study at Essex.

Your time: 15-30 minutes

Your industry insight and career experience can be invaluable for students thinking about life after University – and for fellow alumni looking to take the next step in their careers. We host lots of different events around the world and online and are always keen to hear from alumni who would be willing to speak.

Your time: A few hours

This is a new and exciting volunteer role for alumni living overseas. You could work with us to organise events in your local region for fellow alumni – we’ll be on hand to support you along the way and have a handy guide to help you get started. 

Your time: 1-2 hours per month

'Workplace Insights' is a careers series where professionals share an insight into their role and industry. Hosted by Make Happen, these interviews aim to inspire pupils aged 14-18, giving them an idea of the a wide variety of career paths. Interviews take one hour and are pre-recorded over Zoom.

Are you established in your career and able to offer support to current students by becoming a mentor? Our Career Mentoring scheme brings professional people and talented students together. We ask for a commitment of at least an hour per month for at least six months and mentoring can take place either in person or virtually. This is a meaningful volunteer opportunity where you can really support the next generation. Register to be a career mentor.

Your time: 1-2 hours per month for 6 months

Students from around the world apply to come to Essex and alumni living overseas can be our best ambassadors. You know exactly how it felt to study here and your personal experiences can be of real help and reassurance to students overseas thinking about travelling to the UK. By representing Essex alongside colleagues at recruitment fairs in your region, you could help us to recruit the next generation of students.  

Your time: Around 3-4 hours per year

For a more advisory role, you could become a board member, join a departmental advisory board or become involved with our employability and entrepreneurship agendas.

Your time: At least 2-3 hours per year

We host lots of events each year around the world and are always looking for support from our alumni to help us keep costs as low as possible. If you could offer a venue - for example an office, club or restaurant - for one of our social or professional networking events please get in touch. 

Your time: Just an introduction

We keep in touch with our alumni in as many different and exciting ways as possible – via our monthly newsletter, social media channels and graduate blog. We love to share stories from our alumni so get in touch and we can work with you. 

Your time: Whatever you can spare