Ellie Bibby

For the past four years, as an undergraduate student, studying History at Manchester Metropolitan University, I have proudly worked for Tesco, where within my role I have learnt and demonstrated many skills. When I was first hired, all my hours were initially on F&F clothing, and this is a department I am still on for the most part. However, as a conscientious, hard-working individual I have broadened my skill base by actively seeking out more hours on other departments, communicating with the relevant managers and offering flexibility, hard-work and conscientiousness. This is something which I believe has made me more confident and exemplifies my ability to work across a range of departments, initially out of my comfort zone, as well as successfully working alongside new teams.

Turning back to my traditional role on F&F, I have progressed from my original role four years ago, taking on my first ever job whilst also studying full-time, to someone who now feels experienced in a customer-based role. I work daily with customers to assist them so that they go away satisfied with the level of customer support they have received. Overall, through my role at Tesco, I have been a positive team player, a resilient hard worker and a friendly face for customers, all whilst consistently practising high standards.

Within my spare time, whilst studying hard for exams, I have volunteered at the National Trust site, Lyme Park. This role has enabled me to enhance skills such as teamworking, attention to detail, and in general, broadened my horizons through operating in a completely different environment.

During my college studies, I was predicted to get 3 B's, yet exceeded expectations and ended up with 2 A's and 1 B. Following on from this, I was the first in my family to go to University, where I came out with a first class honours degree. As a university student, I got on well with my peers, worked well collaboratively, took on new, unfamiliar challenges through studying periods of history previously alien to me, and I also maintained good relationships with my tutors, the latter of which I firmly believe demonstrates my ability to communicate well with people aside from my peers.

On top of this, as a third-year student I also took on a part-time role for PALs (Peer Assisted Learning) where myself and two of my peers would run sessions tutoring and supporting first and second year students with academic queries which they felt more confident going through with a fellow student.

Finally, I would like to also mention that during my Master's degree, which I have just completed and am awaiting my results, I was fortunate enough to have been awarded a Sponsored Master's Programme, an opportunity I was chosen for based on my strong application. This remarkable opportunity, whilst more related to my study of history, I feel is worthwhile mentioning given the contacts I was confident enough to make for myself, collaborating with significant institutions such as the Royal Armouries and the Wallace Collection.