Stay connected and make a difference

Giving back, whether with time or a donation, is a fantastic way to stay connected whilst making a huge difference to the future of Essex, and our next generation of students.

Volunteer your time

Volunteering can support the development of your own skills, help you to make new contacts and aid promotion of Essex in your local area. To get involved, please register your interest.

You could provide a graduate profile and feature in our blog or on social media, advise and network with current students and fellow alumni, or be a guest speaker at one of our career events.

Alumni volunteering opportunities

Supporting your department

  • Complete a graduate profile

Could you complete a quick online questionnaire? Or feature in a video profile when one of our colleagues are next in your region? This is a quick and easy way to share your Essex experience and inspire the next generation of students to study at Essex. You may feature in our newsletter, social media channels and graduate blog or in some of recruitment marketing.

  • Be a guest speaker

Your industry insight and career experience can be invaluable for students thinking about life after University – and for fellow alumni looking to take the next step in their careers. We host lots of different events around the world and online and are always keen to hear from alumni who would be willing to speak.

  • Become an advisor

For a more advisory role, you could become a board member, join a departmental advisory board or become involved with our employability and entrepreneurship agendas.

Supporting students' development

  • Sign up to be a career mentor

Are you established in your career and able to offer support to current students by becoming a mentor? Our Career Mentoring scheme brings professional people and talented students together. We ask for a commitment of at least an hour per month for at least six months and mentoring can take place either in person or virtually. This is a meaningful volunteer opportunity where you can really support the next generation. Register to be a career mentor.

  • Become an advisor

For a more advisory role, you could become a board member, join a departmental advisory board or become involved with our employability and entrepreneurship agendas.

Supporting alumni events

 

  • Venue host

We host lots of events each year around the world and are always looking for support from our alumni to help us keep costs as low as possible. If you could offer a venue - for example an office, club or restaurant - for one of our social or professional networking events please get in touch. 

Supporting student recruitment

  • Represent Essex at an international fair

Students from around the world apply to come to Essex and alumni living overseas can be our best ambassadors. You know exactly how it felt to study here and your personal experiences can be of real help and reassurance to students overseas thinking about travelling to the UK. By representing Essex alongside colleagues at recruitment fairs in your region, you could help us to recruit the next generation of students. 

  • Complete a graduate profile

Could you complete a quick online questionnaire? Or feature in a video profile when one of our colleagues are next in your region? This is a quick and easy way to share your Essex experience and inspire the next generation of students to study at Essex. You may feature in our newsletter, social media channels and graduate blog or in some of recruitment marketing.

Give a gift to Essex

Essex was founded on philanthropy and built thanks to gifts from people and companies across the country. We still rely on donations to support our innovative, life-changing research, and to support students now, and in the years to come. With generous gifts from our alumni, we make amazing things happen at Essex.

Every penny you donate to us goes directly to a cause you choose, a cause that means something to you. Whether it’s giving everyone access to an Essex education by supporting our scholarships, providing financial relief to students who find themselves in immediate and unexpected need, or supporting the fund that gives students the full Essex experience that alumni remember so fondly.

Our students are what make Essex so special and we will always do everything we can to give them the amazing university experience they deserve.


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Alumni volunteering
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