AWARD WINNERS
Saravanan Nagappan - 2007 Runner Up
Age: 22
University: London School of Economics
Degree: Economics
An LSE student ambassador, Saravan helped to mentor young students from underprivileged schools and backgrounds in the UK. He continued the scheme in Malaysia, creating a nationwide community project that educated children in areas of poverty about the importance of tertiary education. He received the Shell UK personal development award and was nominated as the LSE Global leader to the International Institute of Education (IIE). In addition he has produced a play for the Tsunami Relief Fund and has been London manager for Camp America Program (BUNAC).
How did you go about taking your opportunities?
LSE provided me with a platform and access to many different opportunities - from volunteering to work experiences and a good academic and extra curricular activities balance. It was more of a question of how I could manage my time to fit in everything - which fortunately I did. In addition, I was always supported by a group of peers who were willing to partake and participate as well as support me in any team based activities which was a great plus point. As for work experiences and internships, the Real World magazine and the careers services were huge aids for me to source out useful experiences.
Do you have any advice to other students wanting to make the most of their time at university?
I think they need to realise that their time at university is potentially the most important time of their lives in order to shape the way they think and pave the way for their future career after graduation. Doing well academically is just as important as participating in a wide range of team activities and sports to be able to cope with the pressures and demands for skills in the ‘real world’. Graduates have occasionally been labeled to be good on ‘paper’ but not knowing how to 'fit in' well in the workplace or have inadequate skills to be a value-adder from day one. And final piece of advice – go out there and source for opportunities, university is no longer a place where you are handheld and shown the way around, it's about how much YOU make USE of it!!
What impact have your experiences at university had on you?
I think it developed me to be a complete graduate. I had a great and intellectually stimulating academic experiences, was challenged in my professional working experiences and built valuable soft skills in the various activities I participated in such as teamwork, communication, presentation and working under pressure – all of these skills are valuable and transferable to a graduate workplace.\
Of what achievements are you most proud?
My proudest achievement would be when I produced a mega charity play just under seven weeks for Oxfam GB titled "Darling Mr London" at the LSE OLD Theatre which raised over £1,200 - was a full hose event and attended by distinguished guests from both the LSE and country ambassadors. The event was significant to me as the funds were used to aid the Indian Ocean tsunami victims which affected my country and being able to contribute although I live far away, I felt, was a huge accomplishment. The event was also nominated for LSE Event of the Year and the LSE Volunteer Centre recognised our efforts.