From Student to Staff: My Personal Journey of Perseverance and Progress at LSST
By Ancuta Hapurne, Engagement Officer, Wembley campus
As I reflect on my journey over the past several years, I am overcome with a varied mix of emotions as I detail the story of my transition from student to staff. In 2018, I was at a crossroads in my life, having lost two very important people close to my heart back home in Romania. I felt lost, demotivated, and unsure of my future. It was during this time that I made a life-changing decision to enrol at LSST, hoping to gain new skills, knowledge, and career prospects. I heard great things about LSST but wanted to find out more for myself – so went in, liked what I saw and who I met and applied to study the BA (Hons) Business Management with Foundation.
Little did I know that LSST would provide me with much more than just an education. It gave me a renewed sense of purpose, a drive to succeed, and a community of like-minded individuals who believed in my potential – that was so important to me and today I aim to pay this forward. But wait! It wasn’t always easy – there were moments of serious doubt and uncertainty – but with the coaching of LSST staff and my student peers, I was able to regain my focus and set out to prove to myself and others that doubts about my age or culture should never be a barrier to continuous learning and overall progress. Here are the lessons I learnt at LSST that have contributed to my progress up to this point:
Never stop trying – follow your dreams, be perseverant and reinvent yourself
Moving abroad can bring many possibilities, but it also involves many losses that are hardly ever acknowledged. At LSST, I found a supportive community of students and lecturers who shared similar experiences and goals. As a student, I faced numerous challenges, balancing my job as an administrative assistant and family responsibilities while trying to achieve academic success. But with determination and hard work, I overcame my biggest fear of public speaking and became a student ambassador in 2021 and a member of LSST’s support staff in 2022. I discovered myself, I learned to believe in my abilities, trying to be a better version every day. All of this was possible with the support received from my lecturers and the staff I collaborated with. They believed in me and shaped the person I am today.
Never stop believing – the most important and the only person to believe in yourself is YOU!
As a former Student Ambassador at LSST Wembley, I was able to contribute to LSST’s projects and events and these raised my confidence drastically. I was involved in the largest student survey to date with tech-giant Bosch, spoke with the Vice President at Mars Inc and attended Scotland Yard webinars and debates.
XXX
See our work here:
LSST Student Voices Webinar: Why are women missing from the tech sector (1080p) – YouTube
Mars and Leadership – YouTube
XXXXWith the guidance and support of Mr Kunal Chan Mehta, LSST’s Public Relations Manager, who has been working at LSST ever since 2011, and other inspiring mentors, I was able to grow personally and professionally over the years. I encourage all LSST students to take advantage of the opportunities available and to step out of their comfort zones to enhance their skills and achieve their goals.
Also, as Student Ambassador, I offered advice and training to engage with prospective students at our marketing stalls to encourage them to apply for LSST courses to enhance their career prospects and earn money while studying. It felt rewarding to pay it forward in such a way and to share my experiences. It was at this moment that I realised I wanted to get more involved in academia so started to apply for jobs directly at LSST.
Never give up – be persistent and remember that failure is just a step towards success
I graduated in July 2022 and in October of the same year, I applied for the position of Engagement Officer. My gradual growth from the start of my journey in 2018 to my graduation in 2022 is a significant accomplishment on my personal and professional path. I can recall during the interview I mentioned I developed self-confidence, adaptability, critical thinking, and listening skills to provide outstanding support and advice to students. I was thrilled to be offered the job and I want to offer our students a supporting, stimulating and friendly experience as a result.
Never stop learning – our whole life is a process of learning and keeping abreast of change
My journey from a student to a staff at LSST has been one of perseverance, progress, and learning. And it is a testament to the supportive and inspiring community that LSST provides for its students and staff. As the famous quote by Roy Bennett goes, “Never stop dreaming, never stop believing, never give up, never stop trying, and never stop learning.”
After my studies at LSST, I realised I wanted to continue my learning journey, I want to apply for a Master’s in business, and I am fascinated by data collation and interpretation – perhaps due to my analytical approach to problem-solving.
Today, I am proud of what I have accomplished, both academically and personally. LSST has helped me rediscover my ambition and identity, and I am excited to share this journey with you. I hope that by sharing my story, I can inspire others to take a chance on themselves and pursue their dreams, no matter how daunting they may seem, to persevere and to progress.