Our student ambassadors, university students who are actively involved in our initiatives in elementary and secondary schools, play an important and central role in the success of our Academic Outreach Programme. In addition to trainings, we offer them workshops that help them in their work for our programme as well as in their further careers.
"The workshop showed me how to actually make an impact with what I learned during my studies. It has ignited my passion and made me excited to enter the field." - Ladifa, sociology student.
During a Personal Branding workshop by designer, creator and entrepreneur Leon Kranenburg, our student ambassadors received tips & tricks on how to market themselves strongly and confidently, both during and after graduation.
“Personal branding is how to stand out from your competition and excite your target audience,” says Leon, who stressed the importance of authenticity during the workshop. "At the end of the day, we are always working with people, and standing out in your own way can benefit you. The better you know who you are and what you stand for, the faster you will end up in environments where your qualities come into their own. Sometimes it's hard to take your position, especially in places where you don't feel welcome and where you experience micro-aggressions, for example. But it's important not to let yourself be put down."
Making an impact with your personal brand
After Leon's inspiring introduction, he had the student-teachers work on their own personal brand through questions such as: Where and when does your voice have the most power? and What are you already doing that gives you a strong advantage?
It quickly became clear that all of our student ambassadors have a strong personal mission that they pursue as professionals. Examples include making education more inclusive, protecting children who encounter the law, ensuring a diverse education in Medicine, and making mental health care safer for people (especially youth) of color.