By Nicola Hodson, MSc Marketing Management Practice
There are so many things you can get involved with at university alongside your degree; from sports, to societies, to volunteering, there really is something for everyone! In this blog post, I wanted to share some of the extracurricular things I have got involved with during my time at university.
Volunteering
Getting involved with volunteering is one of the best things I have done. There are so many amazing volunteering opportunities for students, whether you’re interested in helping with conservation, animals or children, there are hundreds of options! When I saw how many opportunities there were I felt a bit overwhelmed, but the staff in the Volunteering Office found me a role that would best suit my flexibility and interests, which really helped! Volunteering is a great way of giving back to the community, gaining invaluable experience and meeting new people- if it wasn’t for my voluntary marketing role for a homeless charity in Sheffield, I wouldn’t have considered a masters or career in that area! I have also been involved in running poetry workshops for elderly individuals in sheltered housing, helped donate wasted food to a food bank and been an ambassador for Cancer Research UK- all roles which I wouldn’t have found otherwise if it wasn’t for the Volunteering Office and the helpfulness of the staff there!
Societies
Societies are such a fantastic way of making friends and pursuing your hobbies. I am a member of the Photography Society- we go on trips, such as outings to the Peaks, have talks from guest speakers who are professional photographers and to celebrate Bonfire Night, we had a go at light 
photography, using sparklers and fire-wool! If photography isn’t really your thing, there are so many other societies to choose from- I think the most difficult thing is making a decision about which ones to try! Why not take up something completely new you have never tried before? You never know, you could find something you love!
Internships
The Management School provides lots of opportunities to ensure you are prepared for life after university. One of these opportunities is the Postgraduate Advantage Scheme, which allows postgraduate students to take part in a 100-hour internship with an organisation in Sheffield. I have just completed my first 50 hours of an internship for a film production company- and I have absolutely loved it! I have had the opportunity to assist on shoots, and I am also helping put together a marketing strategy for the business – experience which already has provided me with skills and confidence.
Making the most of university is so important- the time will fly by, so make sure you don’t have any regrets!