黄网爆料

Choosing a place to become

When I chose Middlesex University, I wasn’t just choosing a degree. I was choosing a place where I could grow into something, even if I didn’t fully know what that would look like yet.

I had just moved to the UK from Pakistan as an international student, and everything felt new all at once. There was excitement, of course, but also that quiet pressure to figure things out quickly: studies, settling in and, at the same time, finding work experience.

I’ve always been someone who likes to stay busy. Sitting still was never really my thing. So from the beginning, I knew I wanted to start working as soon as I could.

During one of the first teaching weeks, the Careers and Futures team introduced us to their services. I still remember that session quite clearly. One slide mentioned the Unitemps platform, where students could apply for on-campus roles, and something just clicked.

I went home that same day, quickly worked on my CV and started applying. No overthinking, just action.

At that point, I didn’t know that this small step would end up shaping so much of my journey.

Stepping in before feeling ready

Not long after, I came across a role for a Careers Assistant. I read through it and thought, okay, I might actually fit this. I wasn’t 100% sure, but I applied anyway.

Then came the waiting. And honestly, that part felt longer than anything else. Every morning, I’d check my email first thing. It became a habit overnight.

When I got invited to the assessment and interview day, I was excited, but nervous in that very real way where your mind is racing a bit too fast. The process involved group activities and a presentation. We had to come up with ideas on how to increase student engagement and then present them.

I remember working with a group of other students, all of us trying to bounce ideas off each other. It was actually a really good experience. And then came my presentation. I delivered it, thinking okay, that’s done. But then Maria asked me a question.

I wasn’t expecting that at all.

For a second, I genuinely blanked. But I took a breath, gathered myself and answered as best as I could. After that, I kept thinking about it for days. Wondering if I said the right thing, if that moment would decide everything.

And then one day, I got the email. I had been selected.

That moment felt unreal.

Learning to grow through experience

The training that followed was something I didn’t expect to enjoy as much as I did. It wasn’t just about learning tasks. It was about understanding people.

As a first-year student, being part of that process gave me a completely different perspective. We learned how to communicate with students, how to support them properly, and how to handle different situations with confidence. It made me realise how much thought and care goes into creating a supportive environment.

Once I started working, the most meaningful part quickly became the students themselves. People would walk in confused, sometimes stressed, not really knowing where to begin. And being able to help them, even in small ways, felt important.

Because I understood that feeling.

As an international student, I’ve been in that position. Not knowing how things work, trying to figure everything out at once. Sometimes even just speaking in a familiar way or taking a bit of extra time makes a huge difference. And when someone leaves with a smile, you feel it. It stays with you.

Even on difficult days, that part made everything better.

Finding direction along the way

During one of the training sessions, we had a marketing-focused day. That’s where things started to shift for me again. I study marketing, so naturally I was drawn to it. I started sharing ideas, just speaking openly, and what stood out was how seriously they were taken.

Maria listened. She gave feedback. She made it feel like my ideas had value.

Over time, I became more involved in the marketing side. What started as small contributions turned into real responsibilities. I began working on content, helping shape ideas, and eventually, I was given the opportunity to step into a Marketing Assistant role alongside my Careers Assistant position.

That was a big moment for me, especially being in my first year.

One of the highlights so far has been working on the Career Connect 2026 campaign. Being trusted with that level of responsibility, coming up with ideas, and then actually seeing them happen felt different. It didn’t feel like I was just helping. It felt like I was part of something real.

Designing a path while still on it

What makes this experience stand out is the environment, which doesn’t feel like just a job. The team is supportive in a very genuine way. People encourage you, guide you, and give you space to grow.

There are days when things feel a bit overwhelming, of course. But then someone says something as simple as “you’re doing a great job”, and it shifts your mindset again. Those moments build confidence more than you realise.

I’m still in my first year. I’m still working in this role. And there are so many semesters ahead of me, which honestly feels exciting. I know there’s still so much to learn, more opportunities to take on, more ideas to explore.

This is not the end of the journey. It really feels like the beginning of something.

An invitation to start before you feel ready

If there’s one thing I’ve learned so far, it’s this. You don’t need to have everything figured out to begin.

Just start.

Apply for the role. Go to the session. Share your idea, even if you’re unsure. You’ll learn as you go, and you’ll grow faster than you expect.

Looking back, applying for that one role felt like a small decision at the time. But it opened doors I didn’t even know were there. It’s shaping my confidence, my skills, and the direction I want to take.

And the best part is, I’m still in the middle of it.

Learn more about our Careers and Futures Hub.