Internships and Bursaries - our graduates' stories
03 October 2012
Eileen Pang graduates with a 2:1 BA Fashion degree and was the recipient of the George Beardwood Bursary. Eileen is pictured with Lynette Beardwood. Lynette became a benefactor and supporter of Liverpool John Moores University over ten years ago out of concern that financial pressure was putting university education out of reach of too many talented young people.
"The bursary has helped me so much with many things. It has helped me buy all the right equipment for my course such as a sewing machine, overlocker and a laptop which has in turn improved my skills so much more for when I graduate from university. Not only that, it has given me a lot more determination, focus and drive. I have been able to concentrate much more on my university and I feel very privileged and thankful that I was given this amazing opportunity. I have had a wonderful time at LJMU and will be very sad when I graduate. Every year has gotten better and I have learnt so much. The building is a great place to work, especially with the large studio spaces and every creative subject being is one place is brilliant. LJMU have excellent facilities, and you have experiment in all the facilities. Even though I am in fashion, I was able to do some work in the woodwork or work with metal. Therefore my skills expanded from just fashion. I gained many new skills during LJMU. Alongside learning all sewing techniques, I am also skilled at using photoshop, illustrator and indesign. I have also learnt skills on how to use the laser cutter and different print techniques.The lecturers are wonderful and have helped and taught me so much."
Elizabeth Jones who studied Architecture and Claire Read who graduates in Interior Design were both recipients of the Eleanor Rathbone Charitable Trust scholarship.
Elizabeth (pictured left) said: "During my second year at LJMU I discovered that as a design student I was eligible to apply to the Trust. I desperately needed a new laptop so I just sent off the application. I bought a brand new 'MacBook Pro' which has been essential to my studies. I was awarded £1,000 per year which has been crucial as my father was ill last year and he was unable to work so it sustained me during my final year. LJMU is great - it has been wonderful to work with lecturers who are so passionate and they are all practising industry professionals. They have encouraged me to be confident, which has been brilliant as I am a woman working in a male dominated industry. My personal tutor supported me throgh any stressful times and was very inspirational. I would recommend Architecture - it's artistic and creative but also stimulating and really stretches you."
Claire (pictured right) is now hoping to forge a career in sustainable design and conservation. Originally from South Africa, she first came to the North West to study fine art and psychology at the University of Chester. But Claire says LJMU is the place to be if you are looking for a truly creative experience; that's because Liverpool offers students great exposure to local and international artists through events such as the Biennial. "My degree covered everything I need to work in a design practice, including CAD skills which are definitely what the industry is after," she says. “My tutors have really helped and supported me throughout my studies and I am really going to miss them. But I’ll definitely keep in touch."
Emma Cowie, who has also achieved a 2:1 in Fashion, won a prized internship at Cello Boutique in September 2010 and finished in the top 10 North West Young Designer of the Year Award 2010. Emma has just secured an internship in London with Amanda Wakeley.
"Graduate Fashion week was a good opportunity to speak to people from the industry. We had our static stand the whole week - people came to look round and we had out our portfolios and garments from our collections. I spoke to a representative from George at Asda who said she'd be in touch with the possibility of a placement there. She also gave me lots of advice about fashion recruitment agencies, interview questions, my portfolio. Our fashion show was on the Tuesday and we were there from 8am. It was exciting and busy and hectic with fittings for all the models and not even time for a dress rehearsal. Lots of press came to the show to hopefully spot work they liked. It was a long tiring week but exciting and interesting all the same! You got to see other university shows and portfolios which was inspiring and gave you good ideas for things you could try in your own work."
Bee Hughes studied Graphic Arts and is celebrating today with a 2:1.
"I can't sing the praises of my course enough. The staff on the Graphic Arts course are very supportive, as are the technical staff, and especially in third year have provided help and advice to all of the students that sought it out. The course fosters creativity and experimentation but also encourages a highly professional approach to your working practice. I am proud to have been part of the course, and to be taking part in our final year exhibition - GRAFT - which I think shows off our course and the university to a very high standard. I feel I have developed hugely as an illustrator in my time on the course, and am hoping to continue to study on the Art & Design MRes course from September. I will also be working as a freelance illustrator and will endeavour to develop my skills as a printmaker, by enrolling as a silkscreen printing technician at the Bluecoat gallery. "
