Categories
Careers programmes

Queen’s students: Win £1,000 with the return of the Santander Brighter Futures Grants Programme

Santander Brighter Futures Grant

We’re thrilled to announce the return of the Brighter Futures Grants programme in collaboration with Santander.

We’re giving our Queen’s students the chance to win one of 10 grants, each worth £1,000, to support your academic journey. All students are eligible to enter, including undergraduates, postgraduates, part-time and full-time students.

Entering is quick and easy; just follow the steps below and you can have your application finished in a matter of minutes:

1. If you haven’t already, register for Santander Open Academy – a free online learning platform

2. Follow the verification link in your confirmation email.

3. Log in and choose ‘Get Started’ to complete your entry into the Brighter Futures Grants programme. From the menu you need to select Queen’s University Belfast

4. Get your entries submitted by 11pm on 5 December 2024.

By entering you’ll also have access to browse the Santander Open Academy website for free, on-demand learning  content that can help support you in your studies.

You don’t even need to bank with Santander to get involved.

Apply by 11pm on 5 December 2024 for your chance to win!

Categories
Careers programmes

Opening your mind to a trainee programme can open new doors for your career 

By Alan Carson, Grant Thornton NI

Alan Carson, Audit Associate at Grant Thornton NI, tells all about his week long internship at Grant Thornton (NI), LLP.

“It was an exciting – if somewhat daunting – end to a truly memorable week. And one that could prove transformational for my career.”

“I’m talking about my week-long internship at Grant Thornton NI last summer, which set me on a path to earning a place in the firm’s trainee programme.”

“There was no official assessment process, as such, but rather a week of being observed while taking part in a wide range of activities and business scenarios, culminating in a presentation to the partner team on the Friday afternoon.”

“Myself and my fellow interns were told soon after we first arrived on the Monday that we would be tasked with delivering a presentation, but we were only told on the Thursday that our audience would be the partners. No pressure, then!”

“To be honest, though, it probably worked out for the better as it meant I didn’t spend the week with that task on my mind. And when it came to the presentation, although I was a little nervous, it proved to be a thoroughly rewarding experience.”

“I had delivered a few presentations as a student before and I decided the best approach to take was to relax as best I could and use the platform as an opportunity to showcase my skills. Thankfully, I managed to do that as, about a week later, I was offered a place on Grant Thornton NI’s trainee audit programme.”

“I am now just over a year into the three-and-a-half year course and thoroughly enjoying every element.”

“We often hear how, in today’s rapidly evolving job market, the idea of a linear career path is increasingly becoming a thing of the past – and I am proof of that. As a proud graduate of Queen’s University Belfast with a degree in History, and plans to do a PGCE and go into teaching, I’ve discovered firsthand how navigating the path of employment can quickly take an unexpected turn.”

“The trainee programme combines on-the-job experience with rigorous exams, and while there is always a lot on my plate, my role is very rewarding. Balancing work and study can be challenging, and although we’re granted study leave prior to exams, I’ve found that consistent weekly study sessions help me stay ahead of the curve.”

“Since beginning the programme, I’ve developed a range of valuable skills, including analytical auditing, attention to detail, meeting client objectives, and effective communication with both my peers and clients, whether that be on calls or in person. Additionally, the research and analytical skills I honed during my history degree have proved to be highly transferable to the world of finance.”

“I’ve also come to realise that the importance of a work-life balance that we often hear about is so true. For me, that balance is found in playing sport. I play hockey for Cookstown, training twice a week with a match on a Saturday, and for me it is the ideal way to unwind and enjoy the camaraderie that team sport offers.”

“It’s similar to work in many ways. One of my favourite aspects of the trainee programme is the opportunity for collaboration amongst my peers. It’s a social environment where senior trainees are always willing to lend a helping hand, having been in the same position themselves. The ‘Buddy’ system is another great feature, providing new trainees with a mentor for reassurance and support.”

“For all of these reasons, I would highly recommend that current students consider internships or trainee programmes. The Queen’s University Belfast Autumn Careers Fair, which has a focus on graduate and placement roles, provides an excellent place to connect with industry leaders from a wide range of sectors.”

“My advice is to attend with an open mind, visit and engage with as many stands as possible and ask lots of questions about the opportunities available. You just never know where it will lead. And, as someone planning on being a history teacher who is now on a trainee audit programme, I would know!”

Grant Thornton (NI) LLP, are sponsoring the Queen’s University Belfast Autumn Careers Fair in 2024.

To find out more about our Careers Fairs visit go.qub.ac.uk/careersfair
Find out more about Grant Thornton (NI) LLP at their website. grantthorntonni.com/careers/

Categories
Careers programmes Global Opportunities Go Global ambassadors Study USA

Fancy experiencing campus life in America?You can with Study USA!

Queen’s student Annie Ní Néill who is currently taking part in the Study USA program tells us all about her recent adventures. Take it away Annie…

After a busy October I’m over the halfway point of semester one on my Study USA program! This month has been non stop and here are some of the highlights.

Travel
 I went to a Fred Again concert in Atlanta, GA where I met a fellow student on the Study USA program. From Atlanta we flew to New York City and met four other students on the program, we explored the city, had the time of our lives and made memories we will never forget thanks to the British Council. I supported Young Harris College Men’s Basketball Team playing University of Louisville’s Cardinals at the KFC Yum! Center in Louisville, KY with the cheer team. I also visited friends in Athens, GA for Halloween that attend The University of Georgia.

Extracurriculars  

Delta Phi Epsilon
We had a “Pink Out” day in honour of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. We wore pink clothing to promote awareness and engagement with this important cause.

I ran a charity fundraiser “Slime A Sister” alongside the new members of our sorority to raise funds for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Here people could paint a pumpkin and/or slime a sister with pumpkin “guts”. This fundraiser was very successful in raising funds and awareness for Cystic Fibrosis. I met my “Big” and other members in my line and got initiated as a member of the Delta Phi Epsilon Sorority Zeta Zeta chapter after completing my six week new member program.

Cheer:
I started practicing and learning cheers with my fellow cheerers! And I was fortunate enough to receive two cheer “Bigs” to help me throughout my journey. I cheered at my first game during my college’s “Purple Out” basketball games.

I’ve also been studying hard in all my classes like gathering photos of mushrooms for a collection as part of my mycology class.

It’s been: Go! Go! Go! but I’m incredibly grateful for this opportunity and wouldn’t want it any other way!

Annie Ní Néill is a Biological Science Student and Global Student Ambassador at Queen’s University Belfast.

About Study USA:

The Study USA programme is run by the British Council Northern Ireland and involves one academic year studying at a US university or college. 

Benefits of Study USA

The scholarship funding package (worth approximately £50,000) includes:

  • Tuition fees are paid by the participating US colleges and universities.
  • Term time accommodation on campus 
  • A generous text book allowance
  • A full meal plan
  • One return flight to the US
  • A £1000 bursary paid directly to all students (NEW FOR 2025/26)

The Study USA applications 2025-2026 deadline for higher education is open until 11:59pm on Sunday 10 November 2024.

Find out more and apply.

https://nireland.britishcouncil.org/opportunities/study-usa

Categories
Careers programmes

Q&A with Queen’s Graduate, Tom Smith of Allstate

Q&A with Tom Smith who is a Queen’s University Belfast  Graduate who started his career with Allstate as an Intern, moving to a Placement, which then led him to Graduate employment at the company in the Billing and Payments team within Allstate Canada

Why did you want to work at Allstate?

When I was in the first year of my computer science degree I saw a notice in an email from the Queens’ University Belfast Careers team, advertising Allstate’s Insights program, which was a series of workshops over a few days of the Easter holidays. I attended the workshops, and was offered the chance to interview for a summer internship. I got a place on the internship and have now worked here for three years.

What does a typical day look like?

I work on the Billing and Payments team within Allstate Canada. I work on a global team, with colleagues in India and Canada. As a result, I have time to get most of my actual work with the other developers done in the mornings, and then after lunch, my Canadian colleagues come online and that’s when things get busier and most of my meetings happen. I work from home most days, but go into the Belfast office at least once a week to see the others in my department, and usually play a bit of pool at lunchtime.

How was the transition from Intern > Placement > Grad?

Both teams that I’ve worked on have been very accommodating and supportive, pairing me up with one of the other developers on the team who I could work closely alongside to learn about the internal systems and the digital products the team is responsible for. It feels like there has been something of a change in my role at each annual milestone. When I first started as a summer intern, I was on the team that managed collaboration tools such as Microsoft Teams and Zoom. I then switched teams when I started my placement year, when I moved into the Allstate Canada Group. My team was known as Corporate Services, providing internal software services for both the Finance team and the Law and Regulation team. This team then merged with the Billing and Payment team between my placement year and starting as a graduate, introducing a new group of products for me to work on with a larger group of teammates.

What do you like about Allstate and your role?

There’s a big focus on a learning culture in Allstate. We have access to a large selection of in-house and external Learning & Development resources which we are encouraged to make use of. I also enjoy the social aspect of working at Allstate. On top of the events put together by individual teams (we went Axe Throwing recently), there is a constant stream of events being organised that all employees can attend. Personally, I regularly join the free cinema trips, but there are loads of other opportunities including a 5-a-side team, board game nights and the monthly beer and pizza event. The events are good fun and a chance to meet people outside of your team.

 Any tips for those applying for an early careers opportunity?

Think about what benefits you personally bring to a team/company. At this stage of your career, you probably don’t have much technical experience that will set you apart from other candidates who have done the same uni assignments, and Allstate’s training resources are great for teaching you what you need to know, but a good team-worker who wants to engage with their colleagues and get involved with events from our various Employee Impact Groups is someone who will do well at Allstate.

To find out more about Careers at Allstate visit their website: https://www.allstateni.com/careers.aspx

Allstate NI are sponsors of the Queen’s Autumn Careers Fair 2024 – to find out more about Queen’s Careers Fairs visit https://go.qub.ac.uk/careersfair

Categories
Careers programmes

Students Tackle Real-World Problems Using Design Thinking

real-world consultancy programme

May 2024 saw the return of our interactive Real-World Consultancy Programme, with students  gaining  a different type of work experience by providing a consultancy service to real clients and working on a real challenge that those clients face.

The Queen’s University Belfast  students from different disciplines were  facilitated through a Design Thinking process to resolve the client’s problem with hosts Patricia Flanagan and Michaelle Dolan of Rejig.

The students applied the design thinking process, tools and mindset to live challenges provided by companies including, Aflac Northern Ireland, BDO Northern Ireland, Gig Grafter Limited, KPMG Ireland, The Phoenix Education Centre, and SureCert.

The busy and interactive programme ran over four days and provided a great opportunity for students to develop highly valued Design Thinking skills prior to them going on to take up a placement, internship or a graduate role.

A massive thank you to Patricia Flanagan and Michelle Dolan of Rejig for coming in to the host the programme, to our Careers Consultant Ludovica Piccinini for overseeing the programme, and to all the employer partners and our amazing students who took part, making this year’s programme a resounding success.

We are already looking forward to Real-World Consultancy 2025.

Below is some feedback from employers and students who participated on the programme.

Thanks to Ludovica Piccinini and Patricia Durkin for the invite to the Careers, Employability and Skills at Queen’s University Belfast Real World Consultancy Programme.

It was great to spend some time at Queen’s University Belfast this week with a team of highly talented students that attempted to resolve a KPMG Ireland business challenge focused on corporate citizenship.

Well done to all the participants and a special shout out to Michael, Majd, Lauren, Ruth and Muhammad for their efforts on our challenge this week (expertly stretched by Patricia Flanagan and Michelle Dolan as always!).

Paul Braden, KPMG, Ireland

Recently, I had the pleasure of taking part in the 2024 cohort of QUB’s Real World Consultancy Programme. This programme allowed me to work in teams with individuals from diverse disciplines with the end goal of providing consultancy services to real life clients.

My team was partnered up with Emma Shaw from Phoenix Education Centre. Emma alerted us to the challenges she was facing and gave us feedback and valuable guidance throughout the process. As a group we came up with innovative ideas to mitigate against these challenges and provided solutions and recommendations that could potentially be implemented by Emma.

Many thanks to Patricia Flanagan and Michelle Dolan for your valuable guidance throughout the program and enabling us to utilise our imagination to obtain useful solutions.

Amith Varghese, Queen’s University Belfast MSc International Business student

Recently, I took part in the Real-World Consultancy Program ran by Careers Queen’s University Belfast. My group got the chance to tackle a real-life problem presented to us by Aflac Northern Ireland; “How Might We Develop Future Tech Talent in NI.” Our group came up with innovative solutions after being introduced to a new way of thinking “Design Thinking” developed by Stanford University. I thoroughly enjoyed working with Deivydas Sakys, Shubham Soni & Akinyemi Folasewa and a huge thank you to Isabel Stacey & Jason Brennan from Aflac Northern Ireland who helped us throughout the week.

Paddy Latimer, Queen’s University Belfast, International Business with Spanish student

This immersive 4-day program equipped us with ”Design Thinking”, a problem-solving approach developed by Stanford University. Patricia Flanagan and Michelle Dolan guided us through the process.

The program was a series of incredibly interactive sessions with dozens of fun activities that fostered invaluable knowledge about design thinking. We learned the importance of stepping outside our comfort zones, fostering group creativity, and embracing empathy.

The program instilled valuable skills in storytelling, identifying key concepts like divergence and convergence, and the importance of inclusion. It also highlighted the power of reformation, building connections, and empathetic listening. Overall, this program provided an exceptional platform to apply our knowledge and prepare us for the professional world.

Riya Anandpara,  Queen’s University Belfast MSc Marketing student
Categories
Careers programmes

Top Law Programme back for 2024

spotlight on law

Our popular Spotlight On Law programme made a return in semester 2 of 2024.

Comprising two-days of in-person workplace visits to local and global law firms based in Belfast, the programme gave students an opportunity to:

  • Take part in case studies, workshops, panels and legal skills sessions
  • Hear from barristers and solicitors from a variety of practice areas
  • Get tips from recruiters on getting hired by a top law firm
  • Practical career knowledge on internships, placements, vacation schemes and training contracts.
  • Gain a Future-Ready Award.

The programme participants were a mix of Queen’s University Belfast Law students and students from other disciplines within Queen’s. They visited a number of Law firms during the programmes including, A&L Goodbody LLP, Tughans LLP, Fieldfisher LLP, Lewis Silkin, and Factor.

After the Law firm visits, the programme culminated with a Panel Event and Networking Session at One Elmwood, where students heard from more experts across the legal field who gave insights into their own career journeys, including, Arthur Cox NI, Departmental Solicitors Office, Herbert Smith Freehills, The Law Society of Northern Ireland of NI, Phoenix Law (Human Rights Lawyers), and TLT LLP.
 
The networking that followed provided a good opportunity for our students to connect with numerous law firms and potential employers, including TLT LLP, A&L Goodbody LLP, Phoenix Law, Arthur Cox, the Departmental Solicitors Office, and Fieldfisher.
 
A massive thank you to our partners at Queen’s School of Law and to all the employer partners and our students who made this year’s tour a resounding success. We are already looking forward to 2025’s programme.

Below is some feedback from students who participated in the tour.

What an incredible start to the 2024 Careers in Law Insight Programme! A heartfelt thank you to everyone at A&L Goodbody LLP for hosting us today. The session on commercial awareness and the firm’s CSR initiatives was not only informative but truly inspiring. It was also a pleasure to meet and learn from Queen’s Careers staff, Terry O’ Hanlon, Phil Wren, and Mark Gallagher. Your dedication to fostering student employability and skills development is evident and greatly appreciated.

Rushikesh Ravindra, Queen’s Law and Technology student

A special thanks to Queen’s Careers staff Terry O’ Hanlon, Mark Gallagher and Phil Wren for putting this tour together, it has made a massive impact on my decision to enter the law industry. As a student from outside the school of law, I cannot recommend this tour enough if you are considering a career in the legal industry. This tour has opened my eyes on the opportunities available to me as a non-law student.  
 

Jake Dodds, Queen’s History Undergraduate

The tour closed with a panel event and networking session at the QUB One Elmwood building, where we had the privilege of learning from some key members of the legal landscape in Belfast, each offering a unique and invaluable perspective on the journey into a career in law.

Rebecca Carlin, Queen’s LLB Law student
Categories
Career planning

My experience of taking part in the Future-Ready Skills for Leader’s Programme

future-ready leadersprogramme

Queen’s University Belfast Masters student, Malavika Mahendranath, talks us through her highlights of the Future-Ready Skills for Leaders programme. Take it away Malavika…

I am more than excited to share my reflections on an incredible journey I embarked upon during the “Future-Ready Skills for Leaders 2024” competitive session in the month of March.

Over three intense and insightful days, my team and I ventured into the challenging yet exhilarating process of designing a business plan, bringing an educational app, “Mentora,” from concept to showcase at the Innovation Fair.

Our mission was to create an app that revolutionizes personalized learning. With activities spanning team formation, developing value propositions, budgeting, and marketing, our goal was to address the educational needs of a diverse learner base.

As part of this dynamic team, I delved into various roles – from brainstorming app features to strategizing our marketing approach. The experience was a profound learning curve, reinforcing the significance of collaborative decision-making and leveraging diverse team strengths.

Our success was not without challenges. Diverse perspectives often meant diverse opinions, but through open dialogue and consensus, we navigated these waters, turning potential conflicts into opportunities for growth and innovation.

The positive reception of “Mentora” at the Innovation Fair was a testament to our hard work and strategic planning. It was rewarding to see our vision resonate with others, validating our efforts and the potential impact of our project.



This journey highlighted my strengths in communication and leadership, while also revealing areas for improvement, such as contingency planning. I’ve learned the importance of adaptability and the value of having a Plan B (and C)

Reflecting on this experience, I’m motivated to further develop my strategic planning and conflict resolution skills. Embracing continuous learning, I aim to apply these insights to future projects, ensuring readiness for whatever challenges come next.

A huge thank you to my teammates, my team facilitators, the guest speakers and Queen’s University Careers service, including Emma Lennox and Becky Law. It was also amazing to be a part of a competitive program with familiar faces.

This experience was not just about developing a product but about shaping future leaders. Here’s to continuous growth and making a difference, one project at a time!





Categories
Careers programmes

Future-Ready Skills for Leaders returns for another fantastic round

future-ready skills for leaders programme 2024

2024 saw the return of our popular Future-Ready Skills for Leaders Programme in Careers, Employability & Skills.

Around 50 students took part in this year’s programme, which offers ann opportunity for any student of any discipline or level to build commercial awareness and develop teamwork, management, leadership and presentation/negotiation skills.

Participants worked in teams, through a series fast moving but fun business games and challenges to win prizes. Each team was mentored by an Employer representative.

There were some fantastic business ideas, design skills and prototypes on display, and the teams sold their products well to our team of judges at the Innovation Fair.

Thanks to all the students who took part, and to all the Employers for their help with bringing the business ideas to life this week.

It was a fun three days, with some great opportunities for networking and some new friendships formed. 

We are also happy to announce we came second, (highly commended), at the AHECS Employability Awards in Dublin in the ‘Supporting Student / Graduate Employability’ award category for the Future-Ready Skills for Leaders programme.

Big congratulations to our Careers Consultant Emma Lennox who was managing the programme. The Careers team really enjoyed the awards and communicating the benefits of the programme to other Careers professionals in various educational institutes.

Check out Queen’s University Belfast Masters student Malavika Mahendranat’s blog about their experiences of the three day programme.

Hear what some of our other students had to say about their experiences on the programme:

These few days have been honestly indescribable for me. I had the opportunity to participate in a series of business games and challenges which helped me to develop my teamwork, leadership, and strategic thinking skills. The program was designed to be dynamic and engaging, constantly challenging us to think on our feet and collaborate effectively under pressure. I was also impressed by the diversity of the participants, who came from a variety of disciplines and backgrounds like undergraduates, postgraduates, and PhD students. Overall, it was an unbelievable experience that left a lasting impact on me.

Aaditya Joshi, Queen’s University Belfast student.

As a Humanities postgraduate who does not usually venture into the realm of business events, the FRS-Leaders Program was one phenomenal way for me to begin exploring the unknown, get outside my comfort zone, and to inculcate important values necessary to improve one’s quality of life.

I loved meeting, laughing, creating and collaborating with all of you! Thanks a tonne, Careers Queen’s University Belfast !

Ashwin Somanath, Queen’s University Belfast, Postgraduate Student

I had so much fun completing the Future- Ready skills for leaders programme over the last 3 days! I really enjoyed the challenges , developing my skills and getting to meet new people! A big thank you to everyone involved

Sophie Wylie, Queen’s University Belfast student

I must extend my gratitude to Emma Lennox, (Queen’s Careers Service), for her outstanding training sessions. I always enjoy her program, and I can feel tons of effort behind designing the session, inviting speakers and judges, and preparing those materials. I also learned a lot from Patricia Durkin, (Queen’s Careers Service), about generating a business idea from scratch. We are so solution-driven, and Patricia guided us to consider problems, which was crucial for business and leadership.

Looking forward to working with you in the near future

Yanglu Alex Wang, Queen’s University Belfast, PhD Researcher

Some of my key insights of the Future-Ready Skills for Leaders programme include:
– Leadership is about diverse styles, from leading by example to empowering others.
– Mistakes are part of the journey; resilience and perseverance are key.
– Empathy, anticipation, and confidence are vital for effective leadership.
– Continuous learning is essential; staying curious and seeking knowledge keeps you ahead.
– Engaging in hands-on learning enhances practical problem-solving abilities.

Uma Ravi, Master’s Student, Queen’s University Belfast.

Find out more about the Future-Ready Skills for Leaders programme.

Categories
Careers programmes gradireland Graduate success

The gradireland Undergraduate of the Year Awards 2024

gradireland undergraduate of the year

Queen’s Computer Science student Tim Chan, takes us through his night as an award nominee at the gradireland Undergraduate of the Year Awards 2024.

Take it away Tim…

“A few months ago, an email from the Queen’s Student Union’s VP of Undergrad Education told us about the gradireland Undergraduate of the Year Awards. The gradireland Undergraduate of the Year Awards is an annual competition aimed at finding the best undergraduates in Ireland. Each award is sponsored by a different graduate recruitment company with its own prize including things like cash prizes or work experience with the graduate employer.”

“I nominated myself for the ‘Difference Maker Undergraduate of the Year Award’, in the hope of highlighting some of the work I do in student societies and as school rep for EEECS to inspire other students to also take part in these rewarding activities. The nomination process included an online application form with specific questions about the award, an online test and an online interview (this differs depending on the award category). About a month later, I received an email that I was shortlisted as one of the top 10 finalists of the award, and was invited to the final award ceremony in Dublin.”

“The award ceremony was in the Aviva Stadium in Dublin during April, and it was amazing. We were greeted by gradireland and were given complimentary tea/coffee and some snacks for about an hour of networking with finalists from all the award categories. This was followed by an amazing three course dinner, which was really good, better than any formal dinner I’ve been to during uni. It was at that table that I met another student from Queen’s, Mary Freeman, who was nominated for the same award category, and we found out that we were even on the same train on the way down.”

“During the awards dinner we sat with representatives from the graduate employer sponsor of our award. That was when I met Barry who was currently the Vice President of Chartered Accountants and was about to enter a new role as President. I thought the experience was going to be super scary, but everyone was very friendly, we shared funny experiences and everyone’s career journey even though mine hadn’t even started and everyone was very down to earth.”

“Whilst I didn’t win the final award, this was an amazing experience. I got to network with other amazing finalists and was told that if a careers as a Software Engineer doesn’t work out, I could always try accountancy. I would definitely recommend anyone to apply for the awards when they come out in future years, there’s absolutely nothing to lose and everything to gain!”

Some highlights from the night of the awards, including that amazing three course awards dinner!

Categories
Careers programmes

Sustainable Idea Exchanges at Real-World Challenge Climate Change

staff and students standing together on a roof terrace

Careers, Employability & Skills were recently joined by Northern Ireland climate and business leaders for a student focused Real-World Challenge Climate Change event held at PwC’s Merchant Square Offices in Belfast.

There were over 40 students on the day keen to take up the challenge of examining how industry leaders can use the ecological crisis to inform decision-making and prompt action.

The students heard from representatives from PwC, as well as guest speakers from other organisations, and the event’s Keynote Speaker was Professor John Barry, Co-Director of the Centre for Sustainability, Equality and Climate Action (SECA) at Queen’s University Belfast.

Students from a range of disciplines were asked to present their ideas to drive sustainability transformation to leaders from the public, private and not-for-profit organisations, while developing key employability skills in the process.

Our students spent the day immersed in this real-life challenge faced by leaders from a wide range of sectors. This experiential programme helps students explore change and innovation, allowing them to develop better problem-solving skills and the ability to work in diverse groups and is an invaluable component of the work we do in shaping the development of future-ready graduates.

Climate change affects us all, so it is essential for people to be able to work across diverse teams and to develop the critical thinking skills needed to tackle these big picture challenges.

The event attendees gave some really positive feedback on the day via LinkedIn, you can read some of the feedback below:

“Along with a diverse group of students from Queen’s University Belfast, we looked at ways in which we could tackle issues ranging from climate justice, to urban planning, to carbon free futures. We had interdisciplinary and collaborative discussions based on creating more liveable futures. This experience was both humbling and empowering.”

Elisa Jimenez, Queen’s University Belfast BA Anthropology, International Relations

Attending the #Realworldchallenge on Climate Change and the Ecological Crisis was an enlightening experience, one that has reshaped my perspective on leadership, decision-making, and action within this critical context. Organized by Queen’s University Belfast and PwC UK, this event was a masterclass in collaborative learning and forward-thinking.

Kevin Philip, Queen’s University Belfast, MBA Candidate

“I was able to collaborate with people from different backgrounds to discuss innovative solutions to help solve the problem of climate change. It was inspiring and informative to learn more about the different challenges climate change poses in various sectors. I am grateful for this opportunity and the people I met along the way.”

Cheryl Watson, Second Year History and Spanish Student at Queen’s University Belfast.

“I had the incredible opportunity to participate in the ‘Real-World Challenge: Climate Change’ event in Belfast.

This event featured engaging discussions and activities led by both students and industry experts, covering all topics related to environment, climate change, and sustainability.
With such a diverse demographic, it was great to hear the opinions and perspectives from my peers of different backgrounds on how we can progress in this world.

A quote I would like to take from this event was spoken by Professor John Barry “We will not have a green version of the present”—a truly inspirational speaker.

Kieran Robertson, PhD Student Queen’s University Belfast

Visit the Real-World Challenge webpage