Details
1085027
Heriot-Watt University
16/03/2025
3 Months
Ad hoc - as and when required
Not Applicable
Pay
£12.60
£1.52
Description
Role
Are you passionate about anyone being able to come to university, no matter where they’re from or who they are? Do you want a flexible work opportunity that also provides amazing work experience and looks good on a CV?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, then come and joins us in the Widening Access Team as a Widening Access Student Ambassador.
We are looking for current undergraduate students from widening access backgrounds to join our team within the MRAC (Marketing, Recruitment, Admissions and Communications) department. If you’re not sure if you are a widening access student, you can find out more here – www.hw.ac.uk/access.
The ideal candidate should be:
- Interested in working with people from different backgrounds to promote university studying and Heriot-Watt, as a destination after school or college.
- Able to show strong empathy and communication skills to work in a range of different situations and environments.
- Keen to gain valuable transferrable work experience.
- Someone reliable and punctual.
You will be part of our ‘student voice’ within the team, working both directly and indirectly with learners from schools and colleges to encourage them to think of university as a positive and accessible destination.
There is the possibility to gain experience of working with dedicated staff across the Marketing, Recruitment, Admissions and Communications team, all focussed on encouraging and engaging learners from widening access backgrounds to come to Heriot-Watt. You will help raise awareness about what the University can offer, including how to apply, what it’s like to be a student here, and what support is available.
This is a flexible, mainly on-campus role with hours that can be worked around your current timetable. There will be some opportunities to work with current staff to deliver off-campus activities.
Duties and responsibilities
Ambassadors typically engage with students and stakeholders to foster a supportive environment and help the WA team deliver activities that promote the idea of university as a positive destination after school or college through:
- Supporting the delivery of workshops and activities related to widening access at events like offer holder days.
- Delivery of campus tours, usually in very small groups, to help students become familiar with university surroundings.
- Working with team members, you will help with various tasks and initiatives involved in the delivery of these as required.
- You may be asked to perform additional duties as required by the team or department.
- There may be chances to work with other areas within the University on an ad-hoc basis.
Skills and experience
- Current Heriot-Watt University undergraduate student.
- From a widening access background – see www.hw.ac.uk/access for eligibility criteria.
- Based in Scotland for the duration of the work, able to work on campus when required.
- Empathy and understanding, particularly when working with diverse groups.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
- An interest in working with students from non-traditional backgrounds.
- Ability to work effectively within a team and independently.
- Willingness to develop awareness and knowledge base in widening access.
- Basic understanding of policies and procedures relating to widening access (training can be provided).
- Experience in a similar role or setting is useful but not essential.
Location
Hybrid
Additional information
The role is flexible to fit around your studies and based on as and when opportunities arise. We can’t guarantee set hours each week, and we won’t discriminate if someone is not available for work when it does come up.
There may be four or more Saturdays throughout the year when we ask for support to work on Open Days and Offer Holder Days. These are not compulsory but are a great opportunity to develop useful skills.
We will also offer an additional training and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programme throughout the year to support the development of knowledge and skills which will be useful for future employment. The programme will include upskilling workshops on topics like unconscious bias and neurodiversity.
To apply, please fill in this form. Once you've done that, please also apply for this job below. You don't need to add a cover letter to this application, as you will be asked to write a supporting statement on the form instead.
For advice on CVs, cover letters and job applications, Heriot-Watt students can visit the Careers Service. Please be reminded that this role is only for current Heriot-Watt undergraduate students from a Widening Access background.
If you have any questions about the role or the application process, please email unitemps@hw.ac.uk
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