How becoming a YEUK Youth Ambassador has helped me understand my career pathway and how I can now help young people By Jordan Davison.
Hi I’m Jordan and I’ve been a YEUK Ambassador since 2013. I took on the position but didn’t really participate fully to begin with. I mostly read the updates on the website and also looked at the info posts that are posted on the private YEUK Ambassador Facebook page. I realised I didn’t know what the next steps for me after college actually should be, if I was headed to university, what did I need to put down on my personal statement to help me stand out? Also, with all the coverage on apprenticeships should I have taken that route? Was University the right path?
I was 18 and at the point where I had to choose which way to go. Through my position as a YEUK Youth Ambassador I was able to go to visit Microsoft HQ in London, one of my dream employers, and ask them ‘what route do I take to ensure that I get to give myself the best chance of getting a job here?’
I was given brilliant advice by YEUK, Microsoft and all of the other experienced and knowledgeable people I’ve come into contact with. I came to the conclusion University was right for me and I have began my degree at the University of Sunderland. When I arrived here I soon realised that in the North East of England things are very different. I hadn’t experienced job hunting, but I was used to working part time in the half terms and holidays. It was clear things are much harder here, especially for young people. Since moving I have been in contact with one of the YEUK Advisory Board members at Youth Focus NE to chat about the regional differences and find out how YEUK can campaign to support young people in the North East and how organisations in the area can do the same too. I have a lot to learn but through the support I receive from YEUK alongside studying for my degree, I feel that I have come a long way and I’m really enjoying the experience.
Thank you to the Youth Organisations and the MP’s I have met here and also my University for helping me feel at home in Sunderland.
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