Edge Hill students enjoy career enhancing visit to Matalan HQ
A group of Edge Hill University students recently spent the day at Matalan’s Knowsley headquarters. The visit was organised by the Widening Access and Participation Team and the Careers Team and included participants from Thrive and the Student Advisory Panels, two of Edge Hill’s Student Success initiatives that aim to support students from backgrounds typically unrepresented within higher education.
Students enjoyed an action-packed day, including a tour of Matalan’s distribution centre, offices, and mock shop. With plenty of opportunities to develop their skills and get a taste of life in the workplace.
Developing highly sought-after skills
The trip focussed on giving students a chance to work on several highly sought-after attributes:
- Communication
- Networking
- Self-motivation
- Self-belief
- Professionalism
Insights into working life from Edge Hill alumni
After the tour, students heard from Kellie Razak, an Edge Hill graduate who identifies as having one or more Widening Participation characteristic, who is now Business Change Lead at Matalan. Kellie shared her experience and spoke to students about her career journey to date.
Matalan staff also presented to students about their corporate social responsibility activities and work on equality and diversity. Giving students a great understanding of the importance of social responsibility and how Matalan is actively creating an inclusive and supportive workplace.
The day ended with a networking lunch where students could chat to staff and make valuable business connections. Students left with experience of the workplace, and insights into how a large business operates, which they can use to help them decide on their career pathway.
“The Thrive trip to Matalan HQ was an amazing experience, it was interesting to learn about all the different departments in the Head Office and see the main distribution centre along with understanding what job opportunities will be available at Matalan when we graduate. It was also interesting to meet a graduate who now works for Matalan and hear about their experience as a student at Edge Hill University.”
Paul Greenway, BSC (HONS) Computer Engineering with STEM Foundation Year student
Support available for Edge Hill students to enhance their career prospects
Students who identify as having one or more Widening Participation characteristic can access a variety of support services and activities.
This industry trip was fully funded by the student opportunity fund. This exciting initiative contributes financial support to help students take part in employability enhancing activities, build confidence and develop their transferable skills.
Open to all students, this fund provides even more opportunities for students to enhance their career prospects by helping to remove any financial barriers.
April 26, 2024
