UCLan event management student works her way to a first class degree
A University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) student has developed relationships with The Villa at North End, Preston Guild Hall and the Green Gecko charity to gain experience in events and marketing and her first class degree.
Georgie Rainford, who is graduating after three years at the University, will continue to work at Preston Guild Hall to gain further experience in marketing and events, gradually working towards her ultimate goal of working in business development.
The 23 year-old said: “I’m so excited to be graduating, it’s come around so quickly! I’ve had such an amazing experience at UCLan, the lecturers have been so helpful and I can’t quite believe I’m graduating with a first.”
Georgie, originally from Preston, was first inspired into event management whilst working at Haighton Manor. She said: “Having spent five years helping to organise weddings I wanted to take my next step and get my degree in events management. UCLan’s event management course came highly recommended and I’ve had some great experiences while I’ve been studying.”
During the course of her degree Georgie moved to work for The Villa at North End and Preston Guild Hall, gaining experience in marketing and working closely with the stakeholders for each organisation. She assisted on the organisation of events in the Player’s lounge and Christmas parties for hundreds of people.
"I’ve had such an amazing experience at UCLan, the lecturers have been so helpful and I can’t quite believe I’m graduating with a first"
The former Preston College student said: “Although my degree is in event management, the experience I’ve gained in marketing has been really interesting and has made me think about developing my career within marketing, it’s amazing how hands on experience can make you see things differently. It’s certainly given me a new perspective on my job.”
In her final year of her degree Georgie visited Siem Reap in Cambodia along with other students from her course. The students volunteered for two weeks with local charity The Green Gecko, which owns a boarding school for children affected by serious poverty. Georgie said: “It was a really moving experience to work with those children and Cambodia is such a beautiful country. Being there has inspired me to travel more and I would love to go back and see the rest of South East Asia. It’s an experience that will stay with me.”
Looking back on her time at UCLan she said: “I found the assignments really difficult at first, in my first year I only received a 2:2, but the work placements I’ve had have really boosted my confidence, and so boosted my grades. The lecturers were really supportive and I’m chuffed to be leaving UCLan with a job at the Guild Hall.”