Favourites: Add | View

Charlotte Bray - BA (Hons) English Literature

You will never again be surrounded by so many interesting people

I went to a grammar school and then on into their sixth form in Torquay, which was pretty strict but very strong academically. It held me in good stead for the studying, but I enjoyed the more relaxed atmosphere of University.

I went on into Higher Education because I enjoy studying and wanted to give myself a better chance of employment. I also enjoyed the social side and developing my independence and confidence.

Before I went to the University of Exeter I took a year out working for Belmont Chapel in Exeter as a volunteer. I graduated in 2000 and I'm now working as a Fundraising Development Manager in the Voluntary Sector.

The best thing about University was the very good Student union, very supportive. Excellent Christian union. Very good English course. I didn't find the sports facilities as good and found the financial side of university difficult at times.

I chose my degree subject because English was my strongest A-level subject and a good 'all rounder' with employment opportunities. I also considered a career in creative writing.

I worked in the holidays full time in a library that helped to pay off my overdraft. I also got a retail job at the end of term to pay off any term debts. It was still hard.

My advice to others who are thinking about going to university is that I would strongly advise them to get involved with as many activities as possible. You will never again be surrounded by so many interesting people. Also, enjoy studying! You will miss it. Probably advise them to get a part time job (without it interfering with your work) and save as much money as possible. Never get a credit card; you will pay for it severely later. Get a student loan instead.

My hopes for the future are that I would love to spend some time working for charity/conservation abroad. At the moment I am working for a variety of local charities, schools and theatres in the northwest (I live in Lancaster, Lancashire). I help them to run fundraising campaigns, write fundraising strategies, set up development offices and help them with training in fundraising.

The best thing about my current job is that I get to travel and help raise money for charitable causes; I get an enormous sense of well-being. There are no real bad points. The pay could be better!

My advice for anyone wanting to get into my line of work is to get as much voluntary experience with charities as possible. Also, try to get a real range of work experience. The job involves a wide range of skills, it is good to be prepared.

Finally - Exeter University could not be faulted. I met some special people, gained life experience and enjoyed my course enormously. I would recommend it to anybody.

More Stories >