Student employees build shining CVs

8th July 2014

Three students from Sheffield Hallam University have been recognised for their hard work away from their studies in the regional Student Employee of the Year Awards.

The awards, which are run by the National Association of Student Employment Services (NASES), aim to celebrate the achievements of students who manage to find the balance between employment and study. A total of 96 nominations were received from employers of Sheffield Hallam students, placing Sheffield Hallam as the top university in the North East and the second nationally. Business Economics student, Ben Plimley won the regional award in the Step Up to Leadership category by impressing judges for his work at BSKYB, where he was asked to set up and manage a new team in the department. Ben's manager commended him for achieving results only expected from a permanent member of staff in a managerial position. The Above and Beyond award went to English student Jessica Dodds. Jessica works as a marketing assistant at Keep Your Fork marketing and training consultancy. Jessica's manager praised her for her calm and professional approach and has attributed an increase in turnover to Jessica's support. Castor Merino Perez won the Highly Commended award for his work as a student ambassador in the Careers and Employment department at Sheffield Hallam. Castor's team says that it will come as a great loss when he leaves the university this year at the end of his Logistics and Supply Chain Management masters. The best student employer in the North East went to Sheffield Wednesday Football Club. Computing Forensic and Security Technologies student, Richard Ford said without the experience he gained with Sheffield Wednesday he wouldn't have achieved the grades he did in his course. Nominated students and employers were invited to an awards dinner held at the University on 1 May. Winners were then entered into the North East regional stage of the competition. Victoria Bacon, student employment coordinator at Sheffield Hallam University said: "The nominations we received were exceptional and we were overwhelmed to receive so many. "It's brilliant that so many of our students are managing to find the time and motivation to study for a degree and hold down a job. Undoubtedly it's difficult, however, workplace skills can greatly enhance employability prospects once students graduate, which is particularly important during this economic climate" Ben who won the Step up to Leadership award, said: "I knew coming to university would be a steep learning curve, but I also recognised that there is only so much you can learn in a classroom. I wanted the chance to develop myself in the workplace, which hopefully will benefit my career prospects for the future."I'm now looking forward to the national stage of the competition." The regional winners Ben and Jessica have both been invited to take part in the Teach First Emerging Talent Programme on Tuesday 8th July at Brunel University and invited to the SEOTY Awards dinner (also on 8th July) at which they will be presented with their certificates. The National winner will be announced at the awards evening.