Kenny Chen, a second-year economics student and scholarship student, recently reflected on his transformative experience with the Insights Programme.

Through a series of development workshops, culminating in visits to alumni at their workplaces, Insights aims to bridge the gap between academic study and professional success, while demystifying professional workplaces This initiative helps selected students who have faced barriers to accessing university or those who come from under-represented groups to develop confidence, skills, and connections for their career journey.

Before starting on the Insights Programme, Kenny felt uncertain about his career path and how to plan for life after university. “I didn’t really feel confident to step into a professional space,” he admits. He applied to the Programme to develop skills, knowledge, and networks to navigate the professional world, hoping to learn about networking and communication from alumni. Hearing alumni share their experiences gave me wisdom I didn’t know I needed.

Kenny Chen (3rd from left) alongside his Insights group mates during their Washington, DC Immersion
Week.

His experience exceeded expectations. A highlight was connecting with his peers from diverse backgrounds when they travelled together to Washington, DC for their Immersion Week experience. “The people in my group were incredibly supportive,” he says. “It expanded my worldview.” Interactions with alumni offered lessons beyond professional development, teaching him resilience, coping with setbacks and viewing the future as a non-linear journey. Insights significantly boosted Kenny’s confidence.

It’s given me the confidence to step into a professional space, communicate effectively, make a good first impression, and navigate the unwritten rules of the workplace. Kenny also acknowledges the vital role of donors, whose support makes the Insights Programme possible.

Before this programme, I didn’t really know what I wanted out of my future. Insights gave me confidence, knowledge, and skills that allowed me to seize opportunities I wouldn’t have otherwise. The connections I’ve made wouldn’t have happened without donor support.

It’s thanks to the generous support of donors like you and our volunteer hosts that we are able to provide this unique learning experience for these students, at no cost to the students themselves.

at: Support Insights | The Insights Programme | The University of Edinburgh 

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