Beyond the degree: How Abbie acquired a global fellowship

Through Kingston University's Future Skills programme, she built the confidence to embrace new opportunities, from collaborating with students around the world and presenting at an international summit in Stockholm to securing a graduate role in the UK's nuclear supply chain.

Beginning University as a first-generation student 

I wasn’t really sure where my geography degree would take me. I’d had to overcome some health challenges before starting university, so coming to Kingston felt like a fresh start.

I was very inexperienced and completely new to city life, and I’d been through a difficult period before coming to university. In my head, people from backgrounds like mine didn’t get opportunities like this. Speaking in front of industry leaders, contributing to global conversations or securing a graduate role in a competitive sector wasn’t something I ever saw myself doing.

Building confidence through Future Skills

A lot of it came down to the opportunities I had through Future Skills. They helped me challenge some of the perceptions I had about myself and what I was capable of.

One of the biggest opportunities was being awarded a place on the inaugural Future Talent Council Global Student Fellowship in my final year. I was able to apply for it through the Future Skills Apply module, and I’m incredibly grateful that Future Skills opened that door for me.

Joining the Future Talent Council Global Student Fellowship

It was a six-month international fellowship that brought together students from across the world. I worked as part of a student team spanning the UK, Dubai, Mexico and Australia.

Being placed into a team across so many different countries was intimidating at first, but it taught me skills that are essential when working in global organisations. I had to collaborate across different cultures, manage deadlines across different time zones and think about how to improve access to early career opportunities.

Learning to collaborate across boarders

I spent several hours each week working on AI-focused activities, attending meetings with Future Talent Council members and leaders, and completing self-reflection projects.

We then progressed onto a project focused on emerging talent, which gave us the opportunity to explore some of the challenges facing the next generation of workers. The project culminated in an opportunity to present our team’s work at the Future Talent Council Summit in Stockholm.

Presenting on an international stage in Stockholm

Public speaking had always been a major challenge, particularly because of the impact of dyspraxia and anxiety in my confidence and communication skills. It was a huge moment for me.

Being able to speak confidently in front of an audience was genuinely life changing. It completely changed how I see myself, and since then I’ve been able to speak up in professional settings in a way I never could before.

I don’t think I would have believed you if you’d told me at the beginning of my degree that I’d be standing on a stage speaking to an international audience.

That’s probably one of the biggest things I’ve taken away from university – realising that opportunities I once thought were completely out of reach can actually be possible if I’m willing to put myself forward.

My self-doubt turned into self-belief

One of the key moments in my development came through a Future Skills live brief with the John Lewis Partnership in my second year.

The brief focused on helping UK farms adapt to climate change through innovation. Students from different Faculties worked together on group tasks, interviews and assessment centre-style activities.

It gave me a much better understanding of what employers look for during recruitment processes and helped me understand how to communicate what I can offer more effectively.

Securing a graduate role in Nuclear Supply Chain

This is something I’m really proud of. I’ve successfully applied for a nuclear supply chain role in the London office of an organisation behind one of the UK’s leading infrastructure projects, Sizewell C.

It’s a competitive sector, so securing the role feels like a real achievement. It’s also something I never would have imagined when I first came to university.

Why communication skills matter in a workplace

In the job market today, it’s not just about having a degree. It’s about being able to communicate your skills – and Future Skills really helps you do that.

The experiences I had helped me understand what I could offer and gave me the confidence to communicate that to employers. I don’t think I’d be the person I am now without it.

What have your lecturers noticed about your development?

Dr Stuart Downward, Head of Department, Geography, Geology and the Environment said "Abbie has been a fantastic student and a terrific supporter of our geography course and student community, always going the extra mile whether at open days, inductions or outreach activities. It’s been fantastic to see how much she’s benefited from the opportunities to develop her Future Skills within our course, in particular during the live brief with the John Lewis Partnership. I’m sure the qualities she’s demonstrated will stand her in great stead throughout her career."

I'm most proud of how much my confidence has changed

When I arrived, I didn’t see myself as someone who would have these kinds of opportunities.

Now I’ve worked with people from around the world, presented at an international summit, contributed to industry projects and secured a graduate role in the energy sector.

Future Skills gave me the opportunity to develop the skills and confidence to take those steps. It helped me realise that my background doesn’t have to define what I can achieve.

Explore how Kingston University's Future Skills programme can help you develop the communication, teamwork and problem-solving skills valued by employers.