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With Summer Graduation coming up on 21-25 July, Maria Evans, Administrative Assistant in the Development and Alumni Relations Office tells us about what it’s like to be part of an important and joyous day in our students’ lives – and how it drew her to join Sussex.

Find out how Professional Services staff can sign up to be part of Summer Graduation this year.

Graduation took me from temp to team member

I’ve lived in Brighton for six years, having begun my time in the city studying at drama school. Keen for a new challenge after finishing my time there, I joined Sussex as a temp working at the 2022 graduation ceremonies. For those who were around at that time, you will remember three years’ worth of graduation ceremonies happened in the space of three weeks due to Covid-19 postponing the previous two years’ events. During this time, I worked closely with students and University staff, getting to know the lovely Sussex community. I thoroughly enjoyed the role and the rewarding feeling of knowing another successful ceremony had been delivered. I knew I wanted to continue in this work beyond the three weeks of graduation and when a role came up in the Development and Alumni Relations Office (DARO), I jumped at the chance to join. I’m now approaching three years as Administrative Assistant.

DARO has a fantastic energy

My favourite aspect of my job, due to the variety of tasks my role brings, is having the opportunity to work closely with colleagues across all of the teams in my office. It’s given me the chance to get involved with different office goings-on, such as alumni visits, and develop valuable work friendships. I also get to interact with our alumni community daily, hearing about their endeavours, successes and fond memories of Sussex. We receive some fantastic photos and hear all kinds of stories about Sussex in decades past. DARO has a fantastic energy and is such a great team to be a part of.

It's a joy to be surrounded by a sea of stylish celebration

I’ve worked at every graduation week, both summer and winter, since my first Sussex graduation. Being part of DARO, graduation is a unique time for me to work alongside students and watch graduands become part of the alumni community. It also provides the opportunity to work with University colleagues I wouldn’t have otherwise met, and catch up with colleagues I’ve only known over email or Teams call. It is so lovely to put faces to the names I know so well. But how can I talk about graduation without mentioning the outfits? You get to see students and their friends and families dressed to the nines in all colours, patterns and styles. It’s truly such a joy to be surrounded by a sea of stylish celebration and always brings a smile to my face.

We work hard with patience and kindness

I’ve worked in various teams at graduation over the years. Working in the auditorium helping seat guests and graduands or performing roles during the ceremony is very special. You can watch the speeches and witness the shenanigans graduands get up to crossing the stage meeting Sanjeev Bhaskar ─ not to mention the cheering and whooping coming from their loved ones watching. One of my favourite moments is when graduands cross the stage with their young children or perform a dance/skill which Sanjeev then replicates. Push up competitions are a common occurrence! When you’re working on the ground floor (as a welcomer, in ticket registration or in gowning for example), you get to experience the feeling of excited anticipation as part of the hubbub when people arrive. You really feel the meaningful contribution you’re making to their graduation experience. I particularly like my usual role working with late graduands because although it isn’t always easy, we work hard with patience and kindness to make sure they still get to cross the stage. It warms my heart every time I watch the ceremony and see the smiles on the faces of the cohort I helped only moments before.

Graduation is the chance to see the result of the hard work you do year-round

If you’re thinking about volunteering, I would wholeheartedly encourage you to do so! I can’t tell you how much fun it is, and a big bonus is being served a hearty lunch and having drinks and snacks in the break room! Graduation is the chance to see the direct result of the hard work you do year-round. The students you sent an acceptance letter to, spoke to about accommodation or finance, or maybe you even tutored. These are the people you get to help on their graduation day and be with as they go from graduands to graduates.