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Youth Work and Communities聽graduate Madeeha is now employed as an Education Worker. Here, she discusses her university experiences and career since graduating.

What inspired you to pursue聽Youth Work as a career path?

I always knew I wanted to work in a field where I could make a real difference, especially with young people. My experiences throughout university, whether through placements, part-time work, or volunteering, really shaped my understanding of where I could contribute. I wanted to be in a role where I could use my skills, share my experiences, and help create opportunities for others. Youth work and Communities聽felt like the right choice for me.

Were there any challenges you faced along the way?

Absolutely. There were moments when I questioned whether I was being considered for opportunities because of my skills or just to tick a diversity box. It was difficult at times, wondering if my background, my faith, or my gender played a role in hiring decisions rather than my abilities.

But over time, I chose to be honest and open about my identity. I realised that I deserved to be in these spaces, not as a token, but because I had worked hard and had valuable contributions to make. That shift in mindset was really important鈥攏ot letting doubts hold me back and recognising my own worth.

What advice would you give to young people from minority backgrounds looking to enter competitive fields?

First and foremost, be confident. Before you even think about external support, believe in yourself. Your identity isn鈥檛 a limitation鈥攊t鈥檚 an asset. There鈥檚 a lot of misinformation and lack of understanding out there, but by being in these spaces, you help change perceptions. You鈥檙e not just representing yourself; you鈥檙e paving the way for others like you.

Also, recognise your value. You鈥檝e worked hard, sacrificed, and gained experiences that are meaningful. Organisations need diverse perspectives, not for the sake of ticking boxes, but because different backgrounds bring unique insights and solutions. Believe that you have something important to offer.

What role does confidence play in the workplace?

Confidence isn鈥檛 just about speaking up鈥攊t鈥檚 about making decisions with certainty. Working with young people, for example, means understanding safeguarding policies and knowing how to handle sensitive situations. If you鈥檙e not confident in navigating those conversations, things can be mismanaged. Confidence is about being assured in your role, knowing your responsibilities, and being comfortable in your decisions.

It鈥檚 also about communication. In my current role, I聽deliver loads of different workshops to young people and we talk about transferable skills a lot.聽Whether you鈥檙e engaging with professionals or young people, being genuine and approachable makes all the difference. You learn this over time, but the more experience you gain, the more natural it becomes.

Looking back, how did聽BCU prepare you for the working world?

BCU聽gave me exposure to so many different opportunities. I was a student representative, which helped shape the course and student experiences. I worked on summer programmes with young people, took part in a teaching placement in Spain, and was involved in mental health support and youth work.

All of these experiences built my confidence, developed my communication skills, and allowed me to test different career paths. One of the biggest lessons I learned is that it鈥檚 okay to change your mind. At 18, I thought I had to have everything figured out, but over time, I realised that careers aren鈥檛 set in stone. You鈥檙e allowed to explore, shift directions, and find what truly aligns with your passions.

Did you secure your current role before graduating, or was the job search a separate process?

I was fortunate to secure my role before I graduated.聽BCU had a partnership with my current employer, and through my work with the Widening Participation team, I became aware of their graduate schemes. The application process was quite competitive鈥攊t involved an application form, a video submission, multiple interviews, and a panel assessment.

I actually did my final interview on Eid, while everyone was celebrating, and I was in my room preparing! It was a whirlwind, but in the end, it worked out. I started the job, went back for graduation, and then returned to work鈥攊t all happened so fast. Looking back, I鈥檓 really grateful for the way things aligned.

If you could give one piece of advice to students trying to balance studies, work, and career prospects, what would it be?

Take as many opportunities as you can, but make sure you enjoy what you鈥檙e doing. It鈥檚 easy to feel pressure to build up your CV, but university is also a time to explore different paths and figure out what suits you. Try different things, and if something doesn鈥檛 feel right, it鈥檚 okay to change your mind. There鈥檚 no fixed timeline for success鈥攚hat matters is that you鈥檙e learning and growing in the process.

And most importantly, have confidence in your journey. You belong in these spaces, and your experiences make you uniquely valuable. Trust yourself and keep pushing forward.