Keeley Hensby

Events Management graduate

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What are you doing now? 

Volunteer Manager at the White Cliffs of Dover, National Trust (charity)

What does your current role entail?

What doesn’t it!? We have 200 volunteers who are based in roles all over the site. So my main aim is to make their experience the best it can be. I directly manage 60+ Tunnel volunteers. Organise social events and the annual volunteer dinner. I recruit and induct new volunteers, report on volunteer numbers, lead on the volunteer system and anything else that is needed. In 2015 we opened a brand new visitor attraction- Fan Bay Deep Shelter and an excavation dig at the Lighthouse. 2016 saw Natural England launching south east’s first section of England Coast Path as well as our first ever annual volunteer dinner with over 150 attendees. 

What were the strengths/highlights of your university course?

For me the highlights of my Events Management degree was the hands on experience we were able to get. From volunteering at Canterbury Festival to arranging volunteers for the Golden Jubilee event where we lit up the University. We were given a range of opportunities to get involved in. 

Why did you choose to study in Canterbury?

Canterbury was a lovely city not far from home where several of my friends had already attended. Studying and living in Canterbury gave you a great mix of city life without the intensity of dragging everything across different University sites. It quickly felt like a normal place to live and you had everything on your door step.

Did your course prepare you adequately for the world of work? How?

I don’t believe any course can really prepare you for the world of work, it is what you do alongside your course! 

How have you drawn on the experience you gained at university in your work today?

For me volunteering at events gave me true insight into how it works. As a volunteer you can sometimes find yourself with more responsibility than in your first, second or even third job so giving anything a go even if I thought I couldn’t really helped build my confidence before I started a career.  It also meant I was a tad more prepared when managing volunteers as I had been there.  

Have you completed any further qualifications since you completed your degree? 

I have just completed my Level 3 Volunteer Management qualification in the Institute of Leadership and Management. This was part of the first job here- Volunteer Manager Trainee and further improved my confidence in not just volunteer management but people management as well. 

What are your plans/aspirations for the progression of your career?

Working for the National Trust was always an aspiration of mine and now I am here it is amazing. With flexibility, diversity and a lovely team further building my career in the National Trust and gaining as much knowledge as possible to improve people’s experiences.

Do you have any advice for current students? (Study, university life or career based)

Go out and get experience! It is very easy to feel overwhelmed with your degree and when you are in the world of work you release how much extra time you truly had at University to get involved with anything you like. So go find a dance class (even with two left feet), join a sports team, volunteer and try everything!