Job opportunities while studying

Author - Laura, Biological Sciences

Before I came to the University of Hertfordshire, I wasn't aware of the mass of opportunities that would be thrown my way! Since starting my biomedical science degree in September 2020, I have had the chance to join various societies, learn a new sport, and gain new experiences as a student ambassador.

The student ambassador role is a part-time job on-campus that allows you to get involved and represent the university at a wide range of events and activities, including Open Days and UCAS fairs. As a student ambassador, I have already collaborated with staff and student ambassadors to deliver engaging sessions surrounding my degree to prospective students and applicants, like yourselves! Although seeming a little bit daunting at first, it is a great opportunity to develop confidence and communication skills whilst at university__,__ and I would recommend anyone who comes to Herts to get involved in the programme. In case you were worrying, fulfilling my role as a student ambassador does not have a negative effect on my studies due to the flexible working hours. As a student ambassador, you only accept work when you feel you have the time around your studies.

I am looking to take on some new exciting opportunities next year, and if you come to the University of Hertfordshire, you can too...

Resident's Assistants
Resident's assistant is also a part-time role at the university to help provide support to students living in accommodation at the university. Although not as flexible as the role of a student ambassador, resident's assistants develop a plethora of skills that will put you miles ahead for your future career.

Student Technology Mentor
Another part-time role at the university is student technology mentor. If you are particularly tech savvy, this is the role for you. You would be helping to enhance the use of technology at the university.

Roles at Hertfordshire Students' Union
Hertfordshire Students' Union regularly advertises vacancies for students such as bar staff, research assistants and interns! As well as great experience for your CV, you will meet a wide range of new people and gain new skills.

BAME Student Advocates
Becoming a BAME student advocate offers great leadership development and team working opportunities, whilst working to enhance inclusivity. Again, the flexible working hours fit perfectly around your studies!

Roles Off-Campus
Even though there is a lot to do on-campus, you may want to go further afield and see if there are any local opportunities. Hatfield is within close proximity to The Galleria, a shopping centre, which often advertises vacancies for part-time positions that are suitable for University students.

Good luck with your search for job opportunities at Herts!

Moving into accommodation with a bunch of strangers can be really daunting especially in first year but also exciting. I have been living on college lane campus for the past year and a half and it has been great!

Before the day:
Before moving in, once you have your place, there are Facebook pages set up for each court so you can find who you are going to be living with. I did this for both years and I am especially happy I did it in first year as I got to know people before I got to Uni and now, they are some of my best friends! I was particularly proud of myself as well as I took the plunge to message people first and I created our group chat which we all chat on still even though we don’t all live together now.

Driving in:
On the day of moving in you are allowed one car (pack strategically! 😉) and for college lane you need enter at the Forum entrance. From there a steward will guide you into the multi-story car park where you will only be for a few moments. You can then walk to collect your keys and extra welcome bits from the Hutton Hub (I suggest leaving the driver in the car as you won’t be long). To collect your keys, you will need your arrival pass which will have been emailed to you, on this will be the arrival timeslot you picked.

Freshers events:
Now you have your keys you can head back to the car. Next to the Hutton Hub there is usually a stand where you can collect or purchase your fresher’s wristband for all the events. I recommend the wristband, especially for first year, so you can decide later which events you want to go to. You might not know which events others want to go to so with the wristband you can go together with ease! (of course, you can go to all the events if you are up for it!).

Driving round to your flat:
Once back at your car you can then drive out of the multi-story and will be guided by stewards and signs to your court. With your keys you will be given a hanging tag to put over the front mirror. This will have your court, flat and room number on it. The tag is used as a temporary car park permit which will allow you to park as close to your flat door as possible (this can only be done on moving in day). On arrival to your court a steward will write on the tag the time you need to vacate the area. After this time, you will need to move your car to one of the car parks which will be free for the moving in weekend. Because of this I suggest getting everything out your car and into your room first before you ‘properly’ unpack and settle.

Now you are in and your car is moved you are free to do what you like. (I kicked my parents out soon after the car was unpacked in first year). Around campus there are many stalls and mini free events to get involved in.

My last advice on moving in day (especially in first year) is to hang out in the kitchen and say hi to anyone that comes in and break that ice as soon as you can. If you are in early why not offer to help others move in too!

Benefits of living in a townhouse

Author - Eleanor, Model Design and Special Effects

I lived in a townhouse on college lane for my first year and loved it which is why I am staying in one for my second year as well. My initial reasoning for choosing a townhouse for the first year was because there are 12 people to a flat. This was the thought that the more people there are in a flat the more likely you are to get on with at least some of them! For me, I was very lucky to get on with my whole flat last year which became like one big happy family.

In a townhouse it is made up of 4 levels; kitchen and living space on the ground floor then each level going up has 4 people to a floor. There are two bathrooms to each floor shared by two people.

One of the things I loved about a townhouse was the size of the kitchen and living space. Although there are 12 people to the flat you are not always there at the same time so there is plenty of space to cook and have social gatherings. The large living area you have in a townhouse has two large sofas and a TV. This was great for cosy movie nights in or flat parties as you can fit people in without it being too much of a squeeze.

Another great thing about the townhouse is that with there being lots of people from different courses they will bring friends over from their course and can often then become your friends too. This happened to me last year and it's nice to have those people around as well as your flatmates.

I know a lot of people do not like the idea of sharing a bathroom, but I think it is great, it is only one other person after all. You can share out the cleaning rather than having to do it all yourself and your room will feel bigger without the en-suite taking up the room. In my first year I shared with someone I did not know and now I am going into second year I could choose who I wanted to share with as I applied with three other friends.

This was the best decision I made when coming to Herts. The accommodation is nice and up to date and you feel comfortable when living there especially with the 24hr security. One of the reasons I chose Herts was because of its great accommodation that can house you until you graduate! Hope to see you around campus soon!