Samantha Wright
Northampton,Northamptonshire
Summary
I am a hardworking individual with a strong desire to learn and grow. Self-motivated and dedicated, I thrive in collaborative environments where I can work with diverse groups to achieve high-quality outcomes. My goal is to pursue a career within student unions, as I am drawn to the opportunity to create meaningful change and support students in impactful ways. I am passionate about working for organisations driven by values, social impact, and a commitment to student satisfaction and well-being.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
11
11
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Projects Officer (EDI and Student Welfare)
Open University Students Association
2017.07 - 2024.11
- Currently responsible for the planning and execution of projects taken from the Students Association strategy that support students with protected characteristics and those in secure environments.
- Support and empower student volunteers to support peers and improve their university experience.
Listening Volunteer
The Samaritans
2014.01 - 2024.11
- As a listening volunteer, I offer emotional support to callers in despair and distress and guide people through challenging situations.
- This role has taught me resilience and how to manage difficult conversations.
Student Voice Coordinator (Representation & Democracy)
University of Northampton Students’ Union
2015.05 - 2017.07
- Part of my role was to train and empower elected students to speak up on behalf of their peers and influence change at course, faculty and university level.
- I supported these students by offering training and the provision of ongoing advice and support on key issues, skills and campaigning tactics.
Collections Advisor
Nationwide Building Society
2014.11 - 2015.05
- Whilst at Nationwide I delivered excellent customer service skills to support, empathise and help customers get back on track with their loan and mortgage repayments and where applicable offered financial advice and guidance
Vice President (Welfare & Education) & Trustee
Christ Church Students’ Union
2013.07 - 2014.06
- In addition to being a member of the Board of Trustees, I was the lead officer on all student welfare related issues and on all academic affairs
- The role included working with Canterbury Christ Church University and other local and national stakeholders
- I worked with the University’s student welfare, support, guidance, health and accommodation departments, academic and central support departments
- I sat on a number of high-level University committees
- I led on campaigns and supported part-time officers to ensure they felt empowered to be leaders themselves
Bar staff
JD Wetherspoons
2009.09 - 2013.08
- This job helped me to develop good communication skills with customers and other members of the staff at JD Wetherspoon’s
- During my time at Wetherspoon’s I worked out of office hours primarily in the evenings and through the night and still gave 100% in my position
Student Ambassador
Canterbury Christ Church University
2011.09 - 2013.06
- In this role I supported staff within the Outreach Partnerships Team at events on campus and at local schools, academies and colleges
- I did this by mentoring young people and delivering presentations on the student experience in Higher Education
Volunteer
Childreach International
2011.09 - 2012.08
- Volunteering and fundraising for this charity meant that I got to work in a team with new people and work independently to raise £2,500 to enable me to climb Mount Kilimanjaro
Volunteer
Parklands Learning and Care Centre
2008.09 - 2010.06
- Whilst studying for my A-Levels I volunteered at the children's center three times a week after school
- By doing this I learnt time management skills and developed leadership skills through encouraging the children to participate in activities
Education
Certificate - Children and Young People’s Mental Health
Herefordshire, Ludlow and North Shropshire College
2024.01 - 2024.08
Postgraduate Certificate - Global Development
Open University
2018.05 - 2020.05
Project Fundamentals - undefined
Association for Project Management
BA (Hons) - Religious Studies
Canterbury Christ Church University
2010.09 - 2013.06
English Language, Religion & Philosophy, Health & Social Care
Northampton School for Girls
2004.09 - 2010.06
Skills
- Well-organised
- Deadline management
- Operational and strategic roles
- Independent work
- Teamwork
- Idea generation
- Project management
- Campaign execution
- Empowering volunteers and colleagues
Custom
- I enjoy supporting charities through volunteering and fundraising.
- While representing 20,000 students at Canterbury Christ Church University, I attended Toastmasters sessions to strengthen and broaden my communication, presentation and leadership skills.
Accomplishments
The Lindsay Jones Memorial Prize for Volunteering, Canterbury Christ Church University
Timeline
Certificate - Children and Young People’s Mental Health
Herefordshire, Ludlow and North Shropshire College
2024.01 - 2024.08
Postgraduate Certificate - Global Development
Open University
2018.05 - 2020.05
Projects Officer (EDI and Student Welfare)
Open University Students Association
2017.07 - 2024.11
Student Voice Coordinator (Representation & Democracy)
University of Northampton Students’ Union
2015.05 - 2017.07
Collections Advisor
Nationwide Building Society
2014.11 - 2015.05
Listening Volunteer
The Samaritans
2014.01 - 2024.11
Vice President (Welfare & Education) & Trustee
Christ Church Students’ Union
2013.07 - 2014.06
Student Ambassador
Canterbury Christ Church University
2011.09 - 2013.06
Volunteer
Childreach International
2011.09 - 2012.08
BA (Hons) - Religious Studies
Canterbury Christ Church University
2010.09 - 2013.06
Bar staff
JD Wetherspoons
2009.09 - 2013.08
Volunteer
Parklands Learning and Care Centre
2008.09 - 2010.06
English Language, Religion & Philosophy, Health & Social Care
Northampton School for Girls
2004.09 - 2010.06
Project Fundamentals - undefined
Association for Project Management