What is the King's How to… Series?
Our How to... series welcomes our brilliant alumni to share their expertise with the next generation of King’s graduates.
What’s in it for you?
Hear from brilliant alumni and learn ‘how to’ get ahead and prepare for life after King’s with advice, guidance and practical tools from those within our alumni community.
Event topics have included How to... start a venture, How to... grow your professional network, How to... make good mistakes, and more.
Watch recordings of recent events below or view the full playlist on our Youtube channel.
Upcoming King's How to… events
The details of our next event will be published here as soon as it is announced.
Please make sure to check our events page to find out more about our upcoming events. You can also subscribe to receiving events, news and fundraising updates so you never miss the next King’s How to… and further opportunities by updating your details here or emailing us at forever@kcl.ac.uk.
Previous How to... events
How to... Make a positive social impact
In this session, our expert panel explored the diverse career paths available to those wanting to make a positive social impact through their work. We explore what social impact can look like in different industries and roles, how to push for change in both third sector and corporate environments, and how to apply your pre-existing skills into a new context.
About our speakers
We are joined by four graduates of King’s who are now working in a diverse range of roles with social impact as their focus, helping to influence and enable positive changes across education, health, sustainability and more.
- Ben Leitch (German and Hispanic Studies, 2014) is a Social Impact Manager at Deloitte, focussing on digital inclusion, sustainability, and skills for the future through industry collaborations, pro-bono support, and operational transformation.
- Dr Kunle Babawale (Medicine, 2015) is the co-founder of Cycle Together, a social enterprise that uses cycling to improve health, build community, and create pathways to employment for people often excluded from sport. Kunle also works as a Consultant Surgeon in the NHS.
- Chantelle Young (MA Education, Policy and Society, 2016) is the Head of Early Stage Programmes for Tech Nation, leading initiatives that tackle social injustice through strategic philanthropy and community development.
- Holly Rowe (MA Public Policy, 2019) is an Investment Manager at Impetus, a non-profit funding body that helps young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to get the right support to success in school, in work and in life.
How to... Plan your financial future
In this session, our panel of alumni experts discuss some of the key overarching principles of money management. We explore what to consider from the earliest stages of your career to understand, and make the most of, your money. Learn how to feel prepared for the future and how wider economic developments can impact our daily lives.
How to... Lead change: In conversation with Farrah Storr MBE
In this in-person session, we hear from King’s alumna Farrah Storr MBE, former Editor-in-Chief of Cosmopolitan UK and Elle magazines. We talk about how to lead change both in your personal and professional life and discuss how embracing discomfort can help turn your goals into reality.
You can read a report on the event here.
How to... work in academia (without being an academic)
In this session, we explore the huge diversity of roles and skillsets that contribute towards world-leading research. We ask:
- What happens to the discoveries academics make?
- How is this knowledge translated into real-world impact?
- What are some of the roles in supporting, steering and shaping this research, or even making it possible in the first place?
- What are some of the skills and knowledge I can be developing and showcasing to find roles that will make an impact in the field?
We are joined by three graduates of King’s who are now working across the sector, using their own knowledge and strengths to make discoveries as impactful as possible.
- Verity Buckley (MSc War and Psychiatry, 2013) is now the Research Impact Lead for the Faculty of Natural Mathematical and Engineering Science (NMES) here at King’s. Verity supports researchers to maximise impact through effective research project design, stakeholder and public engagement, and knowledge exchange.
- Katarzyna Ciazynska (MSc Biochemistry 2018) is a Senior Editor at Springer Nature. Kat works on selecting, editing and publishing research articles, bringing groundbreaking research to the wider community.
- Karine Madoian (MA Arts and Cultural Management, 2015) is an Engagement Manager at the Royal Society. Karine manages the delivery of the career development and engagement programme for the Society’s funded researchers.