By Hugh Cunningham
Helping Students Start Their Journey
I work in Admissions and my main role is processing applications for full-time courses here at Leeds College of Building. It¡¯s a fast-paced role where no two days are the same.
Alongside admissions, I also help manage bursary support and regularly assist at school liaison events. On a typical day, I¡¯ll start by working through emails, making sure anything urgent gets actioned. From there, it¡¯s onto processing new applications and providing information and guidance to all applicants.
Why I Chose to Work in a Support role at College
Before joining ÐßÐßÊÓƵ, I worked in customer service and really enjoyed the interaction with people. When I saw the role for an Admissions Administrator advertised, it immediately caught my eye. I liked the idea of being part of something bigger and supporting people at a key point in their lives, so I applied and got the job.
The Impact We Make
One of the most rewarding parts of my job is knowing we¡¯re the first step in a student¡¯s journey. For many students and parents, receiving that offer of a place is a huge moment, it brings relief and excitement.
It doesn¡¯t stop there. Through managing bursary support, we also make sure students don¡¯t face barriers when it comes to essentials like travel to college or food. It¡¯s about giving everyone a fair chance to succeed, regardless of their circumstances.
“Every day brings new conversations, new questions, and the chance to make a difference¡±
What I Love About Working in Education
It¡¯s definitely the people, both the students and my colleagues. Every day brings new conversations, new questions, and the chance to make a difference. Seeing students grow and develop into confident young adults is incredibly satisfying.
And on a personal note, I¡¯ve even had a few DIY tips from staff along the way too!
Opportunities to Grow
Since starting my role, I¡¯ve been encouraged to get involved in a variety of events and projects. From careers fairs to mock interviews, I¡¯ve really had the chance to develop my professional side.
On a technical level, I¡¯ve also learned a lot more about the behind-the-scenes processes in admissions and bursary.
One moment I¡¯m proud of was during the switch from paper to digital bursary forms. I came up with the idea of using a shared folder on Teams to store evidence, which allowed multiple people to update the spreadsheet at once, it really helped the process run smoothly.
How Support Staff Make a Difference
Support staff play a huge part in the college experience. We¡¯re not just here for admin, we¡¯re approachable and trusted points of contact for students. Whether it’s helping with a form, answering a question, or just being someone they can talk to, we¡¯re part of the wider support system that helps them succeed.
Thinking About Applying? Here¡¯s My Advice
If you¡¯re considering a support role in a college¡ªgo for it. There¡¯s so much more to the role than what¡¯s listed in the job description. The difference you can make in someone¡¯s life, just by helping them take their first steps or by being a friendly face during a tough time, makes it all worthwhile.
