The Coronavirus pandemic has brought change for all of us and Ulster University graduates all over the world are having to live and work in restricted and at times, unchartered territories.
Our sense of community is being tested like never before. Many of our alumni, supporters and their loved ones may be suffering their own unforeseen challenges or may have to endure isolation from family and friends. Those of us who are still working are facing new realities, the like of which we’ve never experienced before. Frontline workers risking their lives to save others and being forced to isolate from loved ones, business owners having to adopt new and creative ways of getting their products to market, teams having to embrace new technology in order to communicate and parents having to juggle work and childcare responsibilities.
Ulster University’s Alumni Relations Team is here to help and support you during this time and offer you ways to connect and communicate with your fellow graduates. Among the support we can offer are opportunities to:
- Share your business experiences, successes and learnings.
- Access to our talent for student placements, internships and graduate roles.
- Gain knowledge and career advice from fellow graduates and University staff.
- Connect with our Alumni Network.
- Get involved through mentoring current students and volunteer.
- Hear University news and announcements first.
To read more about the full range of support, benefits and services available to graduates, visit the Alumni Relations website.
We have been delighted to see the enormous contribution being made by our alumni community across the world during the pandemic. From Honorary graduate and Snow Patrol frontman Gary Lightbody hosting virtual acoustic gigs on the band’s social media channels, to graduate and NRC lecturer, Jacqui McAllister taking on an additional weekend job in a COVID ward so that she can donate those earnings to the University’s Coronavirus fundraising appeal. Others making notable contributions include Oliver Jeffers doing live readings of his story books and Gareth Irvine, owner of Copeland Distillery diversifying his business operations to produce much sought-after hand sanitiser. Many graduates are also using their skills to produce vital PPE for our healthcare workers. And of course, we are most grateful to our frontline graduates who continue to risk their lives daily to save lives and help in the battle with Coronavirus. We are truly proud of you all.
If you have a story to tell, would like to share top tips or advice at this difficult time, or would like to discuss work opportunities for our students or graduates, please get in touch at alumni@ulster.ac.uk.