Student sings praises of university careers support project after securing full time job

A student is singing the praises of staff on a work experience programme after they helped him secure employment for when he graduates this year.

Emyr Owen, a Computer Science student at Wrexham Glyndwr University, will begin a full-time role at Flintshire-based DataScope Systems in August.

He says he owes much of his success in gaining the role, to work experience he has been undertaking with the company since his first year.

Emyr, who is also a student ambassador at the university, was guided towards DataScope by Gillian Hewitt, the university’s GO Wales Work Experience Officer, who he met at a conference.

The GO Wales project helps students develop their employability skills, build confidence and create contacts in their areas of interest.

It is open to students with a disability, mental health difficulties, learning differences, and work limiting health conditions. It Is also open to students with caring responsibilities, those from a caring background, a BME background, or who are from a Low University Participation Area.

Although Emyr found that he did not meet any of those requirements to participate in the project, he said the willingness of Gillian and staff to go the extra mile and still provide guidance, shows the level of support and commitment students who eligible for Go Wales, can expect to receive.

“Gill helped me a lot including getting that initial workplace placement which has been invaluable, contacting the right people on my behalf”, Emyr said.

“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it and the placement has been great.

“I first met Gill at a conference organised in 2018, during my first year, and although it turned out I wasn’t eligible for the Go Wales programme, Gill still decided to help me and get in touch with Datascope.”

He added: “The fantastic support I received did not end there.

“I was looking to set up a Welsh translation business and they were able to provide business help with that too. I can’t commend them highly enough.

“I want to say a huge thank you to the whole team.”

More information about GO Wales and Student Support at Wrexham Glyndwr University can be found here.