Get involved
Apart from studying and socialising, there are lots of worthwhile ways to fill your spare time whilst at Harper Adams. Why not get involved in a community project, earn some extra cash or boost your CV with some additional qualifications or work experience? Here are just some of the things you could do...
Become a student ambassador
The famous Blue Shirts are Harper Adams Student Ambassadors. Current undergraduate students are employed, through the schools and colleges liaison office, to participate in a wide range of activities such as open days, interview afternoons, county and technical shows and the Higher Education Choices (HEC) conference. If you have visited here and had a campus tour, it was probably led by one of these guys. Good, aren't they?! That could be you.
Working with schools
You will have the opportunity to work with younger age students (year six to ten) by participating in school visits and talks, explaining what university is all about and helping to raise aspirations and achievements. You could run a sport session for them, workshops on student life, how to manage your budget or answer questions on what being an undergraduate is all about. Full training is given, so if you are considering working with children in the future this will provide excellent experience, or if you have already done voluntary work with young people and want to carry on, this is your chance.
Student ambassador associate mentoring
Want to make a lasting difference to somebody? Mentoring is a hugely worthwhile activity that involves giving some time each week to help local school students. You may be advising them on study techniques, exam revision, homework, getting ready to do work experience, or generally helping to raise their aspirations towards better GCSEs, continuing education and hopefully making it to university. Full training is given.
Becoming involved in any of these opportunities is an excellent way to meet new people, represent Harper Adams in a professional capacity, and gain essential skills for both your placement year and graduate jobs. Please contact the Schools and Colleges Liaison Officer, for further information, on 01952 815155, or email schoolsliaison@harper-adams.ac.uk
Think green...
...and join the Students for Environment and Sustainability (SECS) group at Harper. Affiliated to the Millennium Volunteers scheme, you will have the chance to build up your volunteering hours, and your contribution will also be considered if you wish to become a warden in your final year at uni. Visit www.millenniumvolunteers.gov.uk
Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA)
There are several local riding schools that run RDA lessons who welcome volunteers from Harper Adams. Check out www.riding-for-disabled.org.uk
Take a driving test!
Boost your IT skills and show employers you know your way around a computer by taking the ECDL (European Computer Driving Licence) at cost price. At the time of writing, we were also hoping to become a Microsoft Academy, offering students the chance to gain an industry recognised qualification in MS Office applications.
Boost your business skills
Students studying business or other subjects combined with business can achieve an S/NVQ Level Five (either an award or certificate) in Management and Leadership from the Chartered Management Institute (CMI). If you study the Project Management and Managing People modules you will have enough credits for a certificate. And by undertaking the Management Consultancy Project you can gain a CMI Certificate in Management Consulting Essentials from the CMI. Visit www.managers.org.uk
Earn a food certificate
All students taking food related courses are offered the opportunity to complete the Foundation Certificate in Food Hygiene, and the Intermediate Certificate in Applied HACCP Principles. These are courses that are recognised internationally and are accredited by external bodies. We also offer places to any other student at HAUC, for example, a student on a tourism and leisure course may be interested in events management and would therefore need the food hygiene course.
Get active and get qualified
Adventure Recreation students have the opportunity to undertake several National Governing Body awards for outdoor activities, including the Single Pitch Award, Summer Mountain Leader Award, BCU (British Canoe Union) Level 2 Coach Award, Royal Yachting Association (RYA) Powerboat qualification, and the Scottish Mountain Bike Leaders Award.
