Meet our volunteers
You share your time as a volunteer for a whole host of reasons; whether for personal development, a desire to give something back to the institution which supported you or to inspire those following in your footsteps.
We asked a few of our current volunteers to explain what motivated them to apply for a role here at Nottingham and share what they have gained from being part of our volunteering programme.
Estella Haynes (MA Architecture and Environmental Design, 2022)
Why is volunteering for the university important to you?
I loved my time at Nottingham, and my course prepared me perfectly for my role as a lighting designer without me realising it. I find volunteering at the university important to me to share this wacky and relatively unknown profession, especially when lighting in the built environment is becoming more and more integral to design.
What do you most enjoy about your volunteering experience?
I love coming back on to campus, but mostly it is the realisation of how much I have learnt in the relatively short space of time since graduating, and passing that real world experience onto the current students.
Is there a particular skill or quality you possess that you feel is especially relevant to volunteering?
Being energetic, and having been a student not too long ago! That really helps me relate with the current students, and also tailor my talks and advice to what would actually be useful to hear.
Joe Paternoster (English, 2021; MSc Psychology, 2022)
Why is volunteering for the university important to you?
Volunteering for Nottingham is important to me as I value giving something back to the university that offered me so much. I had a diverse range of experiences at university, both good and bad, and I think it’s important to be able to talk to students earlier in their university journey about the lessons I have learnt so they can make the most of their time at Nottingham.
What have you most enjoyed about your volunteering experiences?
I enjoy meeting people who I can see are going through what I went through. I like hearing their stories and learning about their passions. I find it interesting to be able to keep in touch with how things are working at the university, what changes there have been since I was there, and how that is effecting students. I enjoy the idea that I am having a positive effect on these students’ lives, and that maybe conversations with myself will positively influence their future in some way.
Is there a particular skill or quality you possess which you think is particularly relevant to volunteering?
I think self-awareness. The volunteering I have done has been about sharing my experiences of how I have got to where I am career-wise. Whilst I have had an interesting journey, I always try to be aware that everyone’s journey is unique and different – not everyone is going to have the same luck, people will come from different socioeconomic backgrounds, and the job market has changed drastically from when I graduated. It can be incredibly easy to be patronising, and so a self-awareness of one’s own situation I think is very important to being a good volunteer.
Evangeline Inyang (Law, 2021)
Why is volunteering for the university important to you?
Mentoring was never a question of if for me; it was always a question of when. So many people have invested their time and wisdom in me throughout my life, and joining a mentoring scheme at Nottingham felt like the natural way to pay that forward.
What have you most enjoyed about your volunteering experiences?
The real reward came from watching my mentees take advice on board and turn it into tangible results. There is nothing quite like seeing someone you have worked with achieve a big win and knowing you played even a small part in it.
Is there a particular skill or quality you possess which you think is particularly relevant to volunteering?
I would say empathy and curiosity. For me, volunteering has really been about meeting people where they are, as everyone comes with a different background and sense of what's possible for them. Being genuinely interested in people helps me listen first and ask relevant questions, which ultimately better positions me to support them.
Linh Dinh (MSc Finance and Investment, 2004)
Why is volunteering for the university important to you?
The 糖心原创 played a significant role in my personal and professional development, so volunteering is a meaningful way for me to give something back. I remember how valuable it was to hear from alumni and industry professionals while studying, and I hope that by sharing my experiences I can help students gain confidence, broaden their perspective, and better understand the opportunities available to them after graduation.
What have you most enjoyed about your volunteering experiences?
The most rewarding aspect has been engaging with students and seeing their enthusiasm, curiosity and ambition. I have particularly enjoyed speaking with MBA, MSc and undergraduate students about their career journeys, as well as helping to facilitate company visits that provide practical exposure to the workplace. It is always inspiring to hear students' ideas and to see them make connections between their studies and future careers.
Is there a particular skill or quality you possess which you think is particularly relevant to volunteering?
I enjoy making complex business and finance topics accessible and relatable. Through my professional role and teaching experience, I have developed strong communication and mentoring skills, which help me connect with students from different backgrounds. I also believe that being approachable and willing to share both successes and challenges honestly helps create meaningful conversations and learning opportunities.