Student panel 1: What are your successes? Are you recognising your successes?

Tereza Jelinkova, BA Languages and International Relations

Hi, I am Tereza Jelinkova and you could probably see me wandering around the Stockwell Street Library or Dreadnought building. Apart from being a second-year student of Languages and International Relations, I lead the Czech&Slovak Society and work as an IT assistant in the library. This conference is about success and who else than students should talk about how successful they feel after these two crazy years? I am looking forward you all to joining us!

Sophie Elliott, BA Business with Finance

I am a 2nd year student studying Business with Finance at the University of Greenwich. I am passionate about using the skills and experiences I learn in life to make a difference. This is one of the reasons why I am looking to work in sustainability within business. I currently work as a JobShop student for the sustainability team at Greenwich, leading on accreditations and learning how sustainability is integrated within the university. I am interested in how sustainability is affecting businesses and how businesses can do more to improve on their impact.
I previously was involved in the Equine industry gaining an Equine performance degree and working in the Dressage world for 2 years. It led me to work with Olympic riders at the top of the sport and I look to take the skills I learnt from the whole experience into my future with Business and sustainability.

Aleena Mehboob, LLB Law
My name is Aleena Mehboob. I studied at Newvic's sixth-form college. I did a Level 3 Extended Diploma in Travel and Tourism and achieved a triple D*. I was Vice President of the Student Union Executive Team at college. I have achieved multiple awards, such as Jack Patchy, Outstanding Leadership Award in the Student Union, Outstanding Teamwork Award in the Student Union, Student Leadership Accreditation Bronze Award, and Student Award for Outstanding Dedication and Leadership as a Student Ambassador. I started university in 2021 from year 1, and I am studying law at the University of Greenwich and hoping to become a barrister.

Gaya Dilanova, BA Business Management

Student panel 2: A mindset for success: adopting a growth mindset as a starting point for success

Diana Sofia Martin Gonzalez, BA Business Management

27 years old, originally from Venezuela. I have lived in 4 countries as of today and absorbed as much of every culture as possible. Went through depression before the pandemic and overcame it during it. Being isolated and apart from my normal group of friends, opened my eyes to finally finding myself.  The confidence that working within a diverse and inclusive environment as my first “formal” job (placement), has helped me grow confidence and believe in myself. Simply by recognising that small achievements add up to something big. And most importantly, believing what you are doing is leading up to a greater good, no matter how small it can seem at the time.

Ricardo Paulino Aldana, MA Strategic Marketing

Menah Usman, BSc Psychology

Hi everyone. I am Menah (pronounced mee-na) currently a 2nd Psychology student. I am also a Student & Outreach Ambassador at Greenwich so you might have already seen me around the campus in a bright SA yellow t-shirt! I love traveling along with hearing stories who have been on similar or different journeys like myself. I hope to meet a lot of you at the Student Conference where I will be talking about failure being a stepping-stone to success and have a chat about our passions!

Laura Stephens, MA Education

As a mature, single parent, working, student, studying has been tough at times. However, the knowledge I have gained over the years, including this year with the MA Education has been life changing. When I started my further education journey five years ago, I never thought I would finish my degree, let alone take on a master’s. As someone who grew up in the Plowden era and left school at 16 years old, I had little knowledge or experience of academic writing and now I am looking at PhD options. So, this is a message for all those other prospective mature students out there who are not sure if they have what it takes to return to education…. If I can do it, anyone can!

Student panel 3: Reflecting for success: understanding your strengths and weaknesses to achieve success

Qingyi (Amity) Wu, BA Business with Finance

Hi, I’m Amity who’s from China, a third-year business with finance student at the University of Greenwich. First of all, I'm very thankful to study at Greenwich in the last academic year, as I have been exposed to many valuable resources, met new friends and had many dedicated teachers here. At the very beginning, I am very aware that language barriers would be difficult to overcome not only for me, but also for other students from different countries, as a consequence I have joined as many clubs and activities as possible, which significantly improved my communication and interpersonal skills. After this academic year, I am proud to be the student ambassador and peer mentor in the business school, as I have grown a lot. It is therefore very important to carry forward the advantages and overcome shortcomings, which will make us become both a better student and individual.

Abdirahman Ahmed, BA Business Management

I'm Abdirahman. Business management is my degree and I’m in final year of my studies. I’m from Somaliland, East Africa. 

I have started a social enterprise called Urban Rise, teaching disadvantaged kids about financial literacy for free.
 

Pranith Kousik Kodapaka, MBA International Business

Hi, I am Pranith, a 2nd year MBA International Business student. I remember reading this quote by Marilyn Monroe: "Just because you fail once, doesn’t mean you’re going to fail at everything. Continue to try, hold on, and always believe in yourself, because if you don't, who will?" Believing in myself, and never giving up on anything I did, was always one of my strengths. This positive attitude has got me miles away through my success journey, and I’m excited to share that with you. Now, I am the branding and strategy manager of Alhaji Suya Food Limited. I hope to share my ideas with everyone who will be attending a student conference so that they will find it useful. I extend my gratitude to the University of Greenwich for giving me this amazing opportunity to take part in the Student Conference 2022. 

Rakshit Arora, BSc Computer Science

I am Rakshit Arora, moving to my Second Year for the BSc Hons Computer Science course, specialising in Artificial Intelligence, this September.
I am from Delhi, which is the capital of India and is situated in the Northern region of India.
I have been working with the Academic Skills Hub as a Digital Champion wherein my job is to assist students with their digital skills and answer their queries about using Office 365 Software Suite, Adobe Cloud Software and Library Services by the means of Drop in Sessions and  1-2-1 meetings. As a Digital Champion, I also provide background support for the different types of Workshops and Events organised by the Academic Skills Hub such as the Student Conference. I love socialising, networking, meeting new people and talking to them. I also love Mathematics, Programming and solving complex problems. I often watch and play football, badminton, chess with an interest in video games. I love playing Guitar, watching anime and reading books and exploring new places and trying new foods.

Student panel 4: Opportunities for success: identifying the services and support on offer to sustain and maintain your journey to success

Reda Fatima, BEng Software Engineering

Hello everyone! My name is Reda Fatima. I’m a 1st Year student studying Bachelor of Engineering in Software Engineering. I’m a Programme Rep also working as a Digital Champion for the Academic Support Team.
I’m an international student from India. Which makes the next two things quite predictable: I love Maths and Cricket. I love sports and have played professional cricket for 2 years. I’m also a Marvel fan with crazy fan theories. I spend my free time playing video games (mainly FIFA 22, Assassin’s Creed and GTA V).
As a Digital Champion, my role is to provide digital skills support to students. I aim to create a safe space by increasing their confidence with digital learning and offering a sense of belonging.  So, if you are facing any problems with your digital apps (Microsoft 365 or Moodle) or if you’re looking to increase your digital knowledge, you can book a one-on-one online appointment with me, and we can work it out together. Looking forward to meeting you!

Yash Barve, MSc Engineering Management

It is easy to help ourselves but one needs to walk that extra mile to help and support others. The genuineness and the goodness within you can only motivate to walk that extra mile. I believe in the force of love and kindness and what impact it can create on someone's life. While working for the University, I’ll make sure to give all students the best possible service that will leave you satisfied and smiling all the time.
See you all at the Student Conference 2022.

Guan Ying Chia, MBA International Business

Guan, from Malaysia, is currently an MBA student at the University of Greenwich. Her experience is in managing family business in construction material supply and she also has 8 years of entrepreneur experience in real estate industry.