Student - Marc

A year after completing his Insights experience, Marc reflects on how it has impacted him.

Philosophy & Psycology (MA Hons)

Why did you apply for the Insights Programme?

I applied to the Insights programme because it stood out with a diversity of experiences and skill development opportunities.

Explain your Insights experience. 

For my Insights experience, I went to Lloyds Bank and learnt about how their pension division functioned. This involved learning what pensions are and how they are important to start building in small ways early on. I had the opportunity to interview people and develop professionalism skills further, which I started developing through workshops hosted by the Career Service and the Insights programme. They knew how to get people engaged without pushing too hard.

Was the experience what you expected, or different? 

I didn’t know what to expect from the experience at Lloyds Bank because I had no frame of reference for being in a workspace like that. I had not worked in a professional environment like that before, but I did well with it and now feel more comfortable with future professional environments.

Now that it's been a year since you took part, what have you done as a result of taking part of the programme?

I have become exceptionally ambitious and networking-orientated since taking part in the programme. I have been saying yes to nearly every opportunity and finding a thrill in networking.

I have been involved in the Insights programme still, including being on the Insights panel and offering my thoughts on the programme to new students participating in it.

I have been involved in several societies, such as the podcast officer and host of the 93% Club Edinburgh podcast. I have started my own society, the Philosophical Living Society, which is focused on student-led personal development through introspection and discussion. I have spoken to authors, many staff members throughout the university, EUSA’s Sabbatical Officers, YouTubers, and a Ted Talk speaker. There is so much I have done, too many to list.

Big dreams are possible, even the ones you have not yet imagined.

What do you think the benefits of having participated in the Insights Programme will be for you?

The Insights Programme has exposed me to new opportunities and ideas. That many things are within my grasp or I just need to position myself and then I can grasp specific opportunities. And if you take on the initiative to pursue opportunities, then more opportunities will be presented to you and will likely be bigger ones. By gaining more experience you broaden your perspectives and lengthen your resume.