STEPS - Lancaster Alumni Magazine 2022

Keep in touch www.lancaster.ac.uk/alumni 11 Why I Volun Become part of our fantastic, inter Find outmore at lancaster.ac.uk/alumni FlorianMeyer MSc MANAGEMENT, 2018, GRADUATE When Florian Meyer first visited Lancaster University for a postgraduate open day, he was told that he would be as much an alumnusof-the-future as a student. “I liked that concept,” says Florian, who went on to complete an MSc in Management at Lancaster University Management School (LUMS). “In Germany, my home country, universities often don’t have well-developed alumni networks, but at Lancaster there was a strong sense of having a connection to the University long after graduation.” His wish to become part of the Lancaster alumni network has come true - and paid dividends - as Florian, who now lives in Munich, explains: “I stayed in touch with a Lancaster alumnus who had given a presentation at LUMS about his career. When a vacancy came up at his firm he messaged me, I interviewed and landed a job in business development at Rapid7, an international cybersecurity company, where I’m still working now as an operations analyst. Without his recommendation, I don’t think I would have even heard about the role, let alone applied.” Having benefitted from his alumni connections, Florian decided to set up the Munich alumni group, where his role sees him coordinate local events that bring the city’s alumni together. “There’s a little admin involved, like choosing a location, but the effort is minor compared to the benefits. I’ve made friends and business connections and met many generations of Lancaster graduates – people I’d probably never have otherwise met.” Florian recently took his support for the University a step further with a donation. He says “I won an employee award and was given money to donate to a cause of my choice. My immediate thought was to Lancaster and my donation is now supporting University good causes, such as research and scholarships for those in financial hardship.” Hundreds of alumni around the world volunteer for the University in a whole host of ways. But with why do they do it?We speak to two Lancaster graduates about what they get fromgiving their time There are plenty of ways to get involved… 1. G ive a student the benefit of your advice by mentoring them throughout their studies 2. H elp students make connections in the workplace by joining a range of online or in-person events 3. Share your experience with students and alumni by being a guest speaker at an event 4. Get Lancaster talent in your workplace by advertising vacancies and work placements to our students and alumni, free of charge

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