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Graduates who have gone on to accomplish great things after leaving DMU returned to the university to inspire a new generation of students and help them realise they can achieve anything they want to – with a bit of passion and hard work.

Dozens of final year students attended a special evening event organised by the Faculty of Art, Design and Humanities to help them answer the question “what next?” after their studies.

They students were able to speak to DMU representatives about careers, postgraduate study and the innovative DMU Graduate Champions scheme, which offers recent graduates internships with leading companies to gain vital experience and boost their CVs.

Then the students got the chance to hear how recent DMU graduates had carved out successful careers.

The guest speakers were Lizze Leary, who runs the shoe company Kindred Sole, Dan Jones, who runs music festival taxi service Festaxi, Sam Javid, project manager for ArtReach in Leicester, and Jack Campbell, who won English Comedian of the Year 2014. All of them left DMU with degrees from the Faculty of Art, Design and Humanities.

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All of the speakers made it clear that their passion, professionalism, belief in their ideas and a desire to achieve great things are what drove them to success.

And they all highlighted how DMU’s academics, fellow students and the overall student experience on offer inside and outside the lecture theatre had laid the foundations for them to get as far as they had.

Third year students were impressed with the event and many said they felt more at ease about entering the world of work to pursue a career knowing help and advice was at hand.

PVC Dean Barbara Matthews (second from right) with (from left) Dan Jones, Sam Javid, Lizze Leary and Jack Campbell

Ope Adeyileka, third year architecture, said: “This is an event that has put my mind at rest. We are often being told that everything is going to be okay but it is good to hear it from these graduates.

“It also reminds you that you have a lot of help and support at DMU and you should make the most of it.”

Becca Armstrong, a third year Design Crafts student, said: “It was incredibly useful and it makes your panic levels drop a bit as it helps you see past the next few months.

“It is good to have an event like this just after Christmas when the pressure is starting to build up. Listening to people like this makes it all worth it.”

Abdullah Iqbal,a  third year architecture student, added: “I found it inspiring. To be honest I do not know what I want to do when I leave DMU but listening to these people and their experiences – such as doing one course and going on to work in a different area – is a source of motivation for me. This event has definitely helped me.”

Barbara Matthews, Pro-Vice Chancellor and Dean of the Faculty of Art, Design and Humanities, introduced the event with her own inspirational speech to help students realise they can achieve anything after their time at DMU.

Firstly, she said, their time at DMU was transformational.

“Yes it gives you letters after your name and access to careers you may not have had access to without a degree. It also gives you understanding and confidence. But you have also been transformed through the experiences you have had, the people you have met, the growing up you have done. These are things you may find most helpful in years to come, so do not forget to leave room for them.”

Secondly, her advice would be, do not be afraid to ask.

“I do not mean just to ask for help. We hope you can all do that at DMU. But do not be afraid to ask for opportunities. By being brave and asking, you will get to places you did not imagine you would get to.”

Thirdly, have fun.

“We want you to have fun. I mean it. If you enjoy what you are doing and enjoy the people you are with, you will achieve so much more.”