Wilma Carlsson
BA International Development with Finance
'During my time at Sussex, I worked as an International Development Student Ambassador, representing the University and my course on Open Days. I also worked as a Responsible Business Intern, at Herbert Smith Freehills LLP London, where I facilitated workshops and supported HSF with administration, communication and program management, for the firm’s community investment programs.'
Tamima Chowdhury
BA International Relations and Development
'We have a lot of say in how and what we learn. I see that as a life skill. If you don’t know how to think critically, you don’t know how to live. There’s a lot of engagement and support from the lecturers, who are experts in their field and are from different backgrounds. I enjoy the fact that I get to look at things from other perspectives. I am studying the politics of India and parts of Africa, and I’m not just getting one view.'
Bilgen Yazici
MA Gender, Violence and Conflict
Psychologist
‘The only part of my identity I am proud of is being a Global Studies student at the University of Sussex. I learned a lot, I gained unique experiences and skills, and obtained critical, multidimensional academic perspectives, vital for my academic career ahead. Studying at Sussex, familiarising myself with the UK educational system and completing my masters programme, with the help of my tutors and lecturers has been invaluable for me. I feel lucky I graduated from the School of Global Studies!'
Ruthie Walters
BA International Development
SEASALT co-founder and committee member
‘I loved my course! It was so interdisciplinary. It felt special to apply the knowledge from my course to practical experiences like campaigning, joining student societies and starting a housing co-operative. I joined SEASALT, a 2018 founded Brighton-based student led initiative for affordable, democratic and long term sustainable accommodation, when I was looking at privately-rented student houses. My house hunting experience and course knowledge made me realise that we can, and should, change the broken housing market. At SEASALT, we create affordable, high quality housing for students.'
Alex Durrant Sarris
MA Migration Studies; BSc Geography
Learning Support Assistant (special educational needs and disability)
‘Studying in the School of Global Studies was studying at its best. Without the pressure of evaluation, and with contemporary academic perspectives, well-presented and interdisciplinary information. One of the best aspects of the courses was the varied backgrounds of my teachers and fellow students who came from across the world, offering genuinely interesting and productive perspectives on the different topics, based on their different work and academic experiences. The fact that many of the course conveners and lecturers were significant and active contributors to their fields took the different subjects/courses interests to the forefront of the contemporary academic discussion, and empowered us to engage with the subjects.’
Rebecca Melody Lin
BA International Development
'Everybody on my course knows they are lucky to be here since Sussex is the best place in the world to be doing Development Studies. Since I started here I’ve noticed that Sussex is very action based. The students campaign about the things they want to change. And because it’s such a supportive community we feel like we have agency. We can have our say without being judged.’
Emma North
BSc Geography
Ethical Coordinator, River Island
'My BSc Geography degree that I obtained from the School of Global Studies including my research undertaken as part of the completion of my dissertation on fashion and sustainability, as well as the significant supply chain experience I gained through work experience whilst being a student at Sussex, have given me the ability to work to a high standard to make a change in the lives of factory workers in England and abroad. Today, thanks to these, I assist in supply chain assessment, ethical risk management, and issue resolution, making meaningful differences in factory workers' lives.'
Zoe Bonnell
BA International Development
Research Analyst, Itad
'The best thing about my course was the diversity of topics and subject areas we covered - from human rights to migration studies and gender & development. I really enjoyed having access to lecturers who are active in the development field, and being in Brighton, by the sea! I had the opportunity to represent the School of Global Studies as an Alumni Relations Connector, which involved working with the Development and Alumni Relations Office as part of the Connector Programme, an initiative that offers students the opportunity to contribute to the development and delivery of key projects at the University. I learnt how to create social media content, helped to promote events and interacted with our amazing alumni around the globe!'
Liam Patrick Hosey Gavin
BA International Relations with German
Study Abroad student at Freie Universität Berlin
'What I loved about studying in Global Studies was the interdisciplinary approach and cutting-edge perspectives which are fostered within the School. I also enjoyed working as Global Studies student connector during my studies, which has taught me so much about working within organisations as large as Sussex; for instance, building working relationships with people across the University was key. Being so close to both the sea and the South Downs was also a benefit!'
Amelia Yates
MA Anthropology of Development and Social Transformation
SEASALT committee member
‘The teaching in Global Studies has a very critical edge to it, encouraging us to question the world. Students get involved with local, co-operatively run organisations. The political atmosphere at Sussex has motivated me to join, as a committee member, a student led initiative for affordable housing, democratic living and long term sustainability. We received a huge amount of support from staff and students.’
Alexandra Kalimeri
BA Geography student
‘Studying Geography, allows me to explore global issues such as the environment, gender, sexuality, cultures etc., that are a large part of both the University and Brighton city environment. Sussex encourages us to make a difference.’
Career profiles of 2020 Global Studies alumni event speakers... more here
- David – Good Lad Initiative
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David BrockwayBA International Relations & Development Studies, 2011
Current job
School Programme Manager, Good Lad Initiative.
Best thing about my jobThe variety! I get to visit all types of schools, hearing from a range of young people as well as teachers. I also get to train and manage a team of volunteers, which brings me into contact with lots of really kind and interesting people.
CV
2011-2012: Admin Support at BUPA International
2012-2013: Intern at Wilton Park Conference Centre
2013-2014: Support Unit Administrator at Family For Every Child
2013-2014: Volunteer at Hackney Pirates
Top Tip for current students
- Be prepared to take on any job, task or opportunity -just because it’s not the perfect one for you, doesn’t mean there aren’t skills & knowledge worth gaining.
- It’s alright to fail, make mistakes or choose completely the wrong career path. 1 or 2 years now spent doing something that might not be “the right job” is miniscule compared to the 40+ year working life ahead of you!
Favourite memories of Sussex
The freedom!
- Camilla – The Behavioural Insights Team
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Camilla DevereuxAnthropology BA, 2016; Gender, Violence and Conflict MA, 2017
Current job
Associate Advisor,The Behavioural Insights Team
The best thing about my job
I use my degrees every day. We design policy solutions rooted in behavioural science. We then test to see what works (and what doesn’t) using rigorous evaluation methods. That means I apply an anthropological lens to re-structure public services and products—constantly learning and adapting based on what has the most positive influence on human behaviour.
CV
At BIT, I am an Associate Advisor in the Home Affairs and International Programmes Team. My work involves the application of behavioural science to gender equality, violence prevention, sexual health, peacebuilding and security. Before joining BIT, I worked as a research executive at an insight and strategy agency, conducting qualitative and quantitative research for HM Government, third and private sector clients. During my Master’sdegree, I completed a placement with an NGOin Uganda, working on adapting and scalinga community mobilisation programme to prevent violence against women. During my Bachelor’s degree, I dipped my toes in a variety of industries —getting work experience at the UK Department for International Development, Save the Children, a televisionproduction company, a publishing house,and as a journalist.
Top Tips for current students
- Read above and beyond the course. Not only will this improve your knowledge, it’ll tighten up your writing and fluency when presenting.
- Flaunt what you do have and work on what you don’t. If you’re an articulate writer, then start a blog. If you’re a confident presenter, make the most of public speaking opportunities. If you want to learn a new language, immerse yourself. If you want to understand a new method, take a free course.
- Transferable skills are often ‘soft’ ones—don’t forget them. Sussex gives you an edge because it teaches you to think critically and comparatively. My degree taught me to be open to alternative ways of seeing the world. These skills are useful in many different industries—from user design to diplomacy.
Favourite memory of Sussex
Retro Pac-a-Macs, reusable tiffin boxes, brutalist architecture, obscurantist readings and, of course, protests!
- Patrick – Development Pathways
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Patrick Llewellin
BA Geography and International Development, 2014
Current job
Research and Analysis Officer at Development Pathways Ltd
The best thing about my jobI get to engage in research and policy advocacy on subjects that matter, whether it’s advising the Government of Ethiopia on how to make their social protection systems more effective or providing the UN with evidence on the extent to which children receive a quality education in Mongolia it’s meaningful and interesting, and sometimes I can explicitly see how my work leads to a change in the outcomes of some of the world’s most vulnerable persons.
CV
2016 –2018 Business Development Consultant and Programme Coordinator (DFID-funded Expanding Social Protection Programme in Uganda) , Maxwell Stamp PLC (Private sector consultancy) London and Kampala, Uganda
2016 –2018 (part-time) Research Assistant, United Nations University,Maastricht, Netherlands
2015 Business Development Coordinator, Peace & Community Action Sri Lanka(NGO), Brighton (7 months)
2014 Research Consultant (Independent), World Vision(NGO) Geneva (1 month)
2014 Programme Associate Organisation: African Evangelistic Enterprise (NGO) Rwanda (3 months)
Top tips for current students- Choose modules where you are able to gain an actual skill eg ‘Development Tools and Skills’, ‘Geographical Information Systems’, ‘Ethnographic Research Methods’etc.
- Learn to articulate the skills you have gained from your degree. If you are a graduate then you will all be skilled in 1) critical thinking and 2) conducting research –these are very valuable skills, which will likely be central to your future employment
- Make and use a LinkedIn profile to articulate your skills and experiences. You can also use your account as a framework when writing job applications and to regularly consider how to communicate your experiences as well as your soft and hard skills. Learning to communicate through the language of a development professional can seriously set you apart from the crowd when applying to jobs
- Gain overseas experience in low-and middle-income countries. If you plan to work in international development then demonstrating knowledge through personal experience can be a powerful tool. Have a look at the UK Government-funded International Citizen Service
- Be prepared to take unpaid positions and actively ask to get involved; international development is a sector with less money than other sectors which can mean that making that initial step into the industry is hard. Making experiences for yourself rather than waiting for a relevant entry-level job can help get you that entry-level job that many people will be competing for
- Grades are not everything! Get involved with student societies, as the administrative and project management skills this will provide are highly valued in international development as well as many other industries
- Become a computer geek. Employment is often centred on the ability to use software. Make the most out of opportunities to learn statistics software such as Stata or R. Consider using a literature review software such as Zotero
Favourite memory of Sussex
It’s hard to centre around one particular memory from my time at Sussex as there was so much I enjoyed. I am particularly fond of my time enjoying the campus and the surrounding area during the summer. It was also very stimulating having such an engaging learning environment that continues to shape me even now
- Ioana – Department of Culture, Media and Sport, HM Government
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Ioana Badea
BA International Relations with a Professional Placement Year and Proficiency in Spanish, 2016
Current job title
Civil Service: Policy Adviser at Department for Digital Culture Media and Sport
The best thing about my job
The genuine feeling of wonder and excitement that comes with working on space & satellite policy
CV
Public Affairs Executive – Ford Smart Mobility (London)
Awareness Raising Intern – UN Office for Outer Space Affairs (Bonn, Germany)
Communications Executive – University College London
International Public Policy Review (London)
EU Public Affairs Executive – Fleishman Hillard (Brussels)
Various volunteering roles, including for: United Way Romania, Romanian Scouts, Youth for Youth NGO.
Top Tips for current students
- It doesn’t matter if you think that what you studied is not directly relevant to the career you want to pursue. If it’s something you’re genuinely passionate about, accept you might have to initially start in a lower/learning focused position, but that you’ll eventually arrive to where you want to be.
- Stay humble but never underestimate yourself.
- Sometimes knowing how to sell your skills is as important as having those skills in the first place
Favourite memory of Sussex
Living on the seafront in Kings Road as a Residential Adviser in my final year and getting up to see the beach every single morning
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Annie PickeringBA International Relations and French (2016)
Current job title and organisation
Senior field organiser Green Party
CV2017-18 – People and Planet: campaigns coordinator
2016-17 – President, University of Sussex Students’ Union
Top Tips for current students- Do all those extra-curricular activities, sport, politics, volunteering, whatever it is - do it! You often feel like you can't get a job without experience but you need to get a job to get experience. By doing sports and society things (being committee members/organising events/running campaigns) at university you can gain loads of valuable experience that 100% counts for getting jobs. Don’t be worried about being a corporate sell out after learning about how to change the world and resist capitalism! It’s ok, we all have to start somewhere and get a job. Just hold on to your values, but primarily see it as an opportunity to learn a new viewpoint and gain useful experience and skills
- Don't be afraid if you don't know what you want to do for a job. There are loads of jobs out there that you won't know that exist. Take your time to look around at jobs advertised, it is just as important to know what you don't want to do as well as aspects of jobs you might want to do
- Be bold. If you don't think you're quite qualified to apply for a role, apply for it anyway (especially women*). It's good practice (and experience if you get an interview). And remember, you only have to be better than the other candidates who apply, and sometimes this competition is lower or higher
Favourite memory of Sussex
Swimming in the sea in October, January, June.....