The KESS project has been running for six years now, and last year we took the decision to launch the KESS Alumni network. The network is not only for those students who have been a part of the programme but also for the academics and company partners who have been involved.
The KESS Alumni network is a means of continuing those relationships past the completion of individual KESS projects, and allows those who have been involved with KESS the opportunity to network, which has the potential to stimulate further collaborative working.
Here are some examples of our student alumni
Patrick Burn of Bangor University, a KESS research Masters alumnus was offered a role within the company as a Design and Development Engineer:
“KESS is a great opportunity to gain valuable work experience, while completing a focused and applied project,skills developed and work experience gained will help you access the career you want. The scheme is well organized and has a large support network to help all students complete their postgraduate degree”.
Dr James Evans of Cardiff University, a KESS PhD Alumnus has continued to work with his company partner, Cultech Ltd since completing his PhD :
“KESS allowed me to complete a PhD, take extra courses to further my employability and also made a connection with a local employer who have subsequently given me an opportunity to work with them. With the current employability difficulties faced by graduates, this chance was invaluable”.
Dr Diane Jones of Bangor University, a KESS PhD Alumna who worked with Cae’r Gors Heritage Centreon her PhD project has moved on from the University and is now working within the local authority :
“I am currently working as a Strategic Manager for the Gwynedd and Anglesey Post- 16 Education Consortium and also hold a part time post as a Language Tutor at The School of Welsh at Bangor University”. KESS was important for Diane “I was returning to work after being at home with my children for a few years. The structure of the KESS scholarship was ideal for me as it blended work experience with learning and research”.
Dr Christian Dunn of Bangor University, a KESS PhD Alumnus who worked with Energy & Environment Business Services Ltd. has been employed by the University as a lecturer and is now supervising his own KESS students. Christian said of the project :
“You get the best of both worlds: academia and industry. Bangor University offers plenty of support and training for its KESS scholars so you probably come away with more transferable skills and are therefore more employable than through other PhD routes”.
The KESS Alumni network currently has 100 members who have joined the KESS Alumni LinkedIn page. This KESS Alumni function will be expanded on during the life of the KESS successor project with mentoring and matching services being offered to the members.
