Students from the School of Law, Politics and Sociology and staff from across the university, gathered in the Creativity Zone on Monday 3^rd  December 2012 to acknowledge the achievements of participants in this innovative scheme, organised by the Careers and Employability Centre with the School of Law, Politics and Sociology.

Marcus Hayes, now Managing Director of Mason Hayes, Solicitors,  University of Sussex alumnus and a first generation scholar himself, attended the event to hear how the students had benefitted from the scheme, and to award the certificates with Professor Heather Keating, Head of the Department of Law.

This scheme provides an opportunity to spend 2 -3 days with an organisation following a structured programme of activities and project work within a political or legal work environment. Students have undertaken work experience with the legal division of a major corporate organisation, with a Member of Parliament at Westminster, with a barrister in chambers or with a firm of solicitors.

Marcus Hayes shared with the audience his story and explained how important it was to ‘ follow your dreams’ and never be afraid to ask questions. His experience at Sussex and subsequent career, inspired Marcus to work with the Careers and Employability Centre and with the School of Law, Politics and Sociology to create work experience opportunities within the fields of Law and Politics.

Linda Buckham, Director of the Careers and Employability Centre said , “this scheme is an example of an excellent partnership with a Sussex alumnus and we are most grateful to Marcus for persuading his professional clients to offer work experience  and this will be the model for schemes with other professional occupational pathways as part of the First-Generation Scholar scheme.”    

Priority is given to  First-Generation scholars and mature entrants to HE, with funding available for travel and accommodation. By taking part students gain a thorough insight into potential career paths, the opportunity to interact with professionals and to network and make contacts that will help them in their career development.

The students presented their Sussex Plus web folios and spoke enthusiastically about the scope for personal development and the opportunity to broaden their career horizons in a way that they had not thought possible. Their enthusiasm and motivation to build on this experience was palpable.  In summing up the learning insights,  Professor Heather Keating, said , “Students had identified new horizons from their experiences demonstrating the importance of having an open curious mind and a willingness to learn.   The links between academic study and the application of knowledge and skills in the legal and political workplace were clearly illustrated in the presentations.”