Meet our second year student Gulalie Noorzai.

Please provide your educational background.

I am currently a second-year Accounting and Finance student at Manchester Metropolitan University, and alongside my studies I work as a Student Careers Associate. I am also a Student Ambassador, a Course Representative, and I have taken part in the MMU–PwC Mentoring Scheme. These roles have allowed me to develop professionally, build confidence, and support other students in their career journeys.

My Role as a Student Careers Associate

As a Student Careers Associate, my role focuses on supporting fellow students with their employability and career development. This includes helping students with CVs and cover letters, preparing for interviews, and guiding them towards relevant careers resources such as Jobs Hub. The role also involves engaging with students from a wide range of courses and backgrounds, adapting communication styles, and providing reassurance and practical advice. A key part of the position is being approachable, supportive, and knowledgeable, helping students feel confident about their next steps.

Applying for the Role

I discovered the Careers Associate role while browsing Jobs Hub in the MMU library. The application process included a video interview, which was completely new to me at the time. I found the experience challenging but also rewarding. I re-recorded my interview several times to improve my answers and presentation. I also asked another student for advice on how best to present myself on camera and spent time thinking carefully about my background, layout, and overall appearance. In addition, I watched YouTube videos for tips on how to succeed in video interviews, which helped me feel more prepared and confident.

The Assessment Centre Experience

After submitting my application, I was invited to attend an assessment centre. This stage was focused on getting to know us as individuals and seeing how we interact with others. We took part in group activities designed to assess teamwork, communication skills, and confidence. We were asked questions about how we would support other students and what we could bring to the role. I found this experience enjoyable and welcoming, as it allowed me to be myself and engage with others in a collaborative environment.

At the end of the assessment centre, I also completed a one-to-one interview. The interviewers were incredibly supportive, kind, and encouraging, which helped ease any nerves. I felt comfortable answering questions and explaining my motivations for applying.

Training and Development

After a week of waiting, I received confirmation that I had been successful. I then completed four weeks of training, with sessions held once a week for a few hours. During the first two weeks, we learned the fundamentals of CV writing, cover letters, and interview techniques. In the final two weeks, student actors from the university took part in role-play scenarios, acting as students who needed careers support. This gave us the opportunity to practise real-life interactions and apply what we had learned in a safe and supportive environment.

Overall, becoming a Student Careers Associate has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my time at MMU. It has strengthened my communication skills, boosted my confidence, and allowed me to give back to the student community while enhancing my own employability.

What type of taksks do you do in the role

In my day-to-day role as a Student Careers Associate, I work directly with students who come to the service seeking practical careers support. Most commonly, students ask for help with CV writing and cover letters, and many want guidance on how to prepare effectively for interviews. I offer advice on how to structure answers, present strengths clearly, and improve confidence in interviews.

I also regularly support students who are applying for placements, helping them understand the application process and offering tailored advice depending on the employer or industry. This often includes reviewing application stages, explaining timelines, and advising students on how to respond if an employer has contacted them or invited them to the next stage. Helping students understand employer feedback and what steps to take next is a key part of my role.

In addition, many students approach me to ask where they can find suitable job opportunities. I regularly guide them towards MMU Jobs4Students and other external job websites, depending on the type of work they are looking for. I aim to make students aware of a range of platforms so that they have the best possible chance of finding opportunities that fit around their studies.

I also frequently support international students, who may have additional concerns regarding work eligibility and sponsorship. In these cases, I provide information about Student Circus, a platform specifically designed to help international students find employers who are willing to offer visa sponsorship. Being able to support students from different backgrounds and circumstances is one of the most rewarding aspects of my role.

Overall, the role allows me to support students on a daily basis, build meaningful professional skills, and contribute positively to the wider MMU student community.

What has been you best experience as student at Manchester Met?

Alongside my role as a Student Careers Associate, I also work as a Student Ambassador, which has allowed me to meet a wide range of new people and gain valuable experience representing the university. Through this role, I have interacted with prospective students, current students, and staff, helping to create a welcoming and supportive environment.

One of the most impactful parts of being a Student Ambassador has been working during Clearing. During this period, I supported prospective students by answering their questions and reassuring them about the admissions process. I was able to inform students that, once their application had been reviewed and accepted, they would receive their offer or acceptance letter. Many students felt anxious during Clearing, so being able to provide clear and calm reassurance was extremely rewarding.

This role has helped me develop strong communication and interpersonal skills, as well as the ability to remain professional and supportive during busy and high-pressure periods. Overall, being a Student Ambassador has been an invaluable experience that has strengthened my confidence and allowed me to contribute positively to the student community at Manchester Metropolitan University.

Is there anything else?

Advice for Other Students and Getting Involved in Opportunities

One piece of advice I would give to students, especially those in their first year, is not to slack off. Although first year may not always count towards the final degree classification, everything you learn during that year is built upon in second year. If you do not fully understand the content in first year, you will likely need to relearn it later on, which can make second year more challenging. That said, first year is also a great opportunity to explore different options, try new things, and figure out what you enjoy.

I would strongly encourage students to apply for opportunities, even if they feel unsure or think they may not be successful. Submitting the application is always worth it, and you can learn a lot from the process itself. It is also important to ask questions—tutors and lecturers are there to support you, and reaching out can give you valuable insight into different roles and opportunities. Catching onto opportunities early can make a big difference, but it is equally important not to overwhelm yourself and to manage your time effectively.

MMU–PwC Mentoring Scheme

Another valuable experience I have taken part in is the MMU–PwC Mentoring Scheme. Through this scheme, I am mentored by an accountant from PwC, a large and well-known professional services firm. We speak on a regular basis to discuss placements, career paths, and the application process. Having a mentor from such a reputable organisation has been incredibly beneficial, as they offer real industry insight and practical advice.

I found out about this opportunity through an email sent by the university and decided to apply last minute. Fortunately, I was accepted and received a confirmation email. All I had to do was attend an initial session, where PwC employees worked with us and provided a handbook on how to contact mentors and get the most out of the mentoring process. This experience has really helped me understand professional expectations and career planning within accounting and finance.

Building Connections and Developing Social Skills

I have also learned the importance of making professional connections through platforms such as LinkedIn. Through networking, you can arrange opportunities such as shadowing professionals to see what they do on a day-to-day basis. I have been able to meet my mentor in person, and she is extremely supportive and friendly. This experience has helped to significantly improve my confidence and social skills. Overall, all of my job roles and opportunities at MMU have contributed positively to my personal and professional development.

Running a Small Business Alongside University

Alongside my studies and university roles, I also manage a home-based nail technician business. I am currently self-taught and am working towards gaining a formal qualification. I manage clients around twice a week and initially learned through watching YouTube tutorials and practising regularly. Nail treatments can be expensive, and after seeing my sister regularly get her nails done, I decided to learn the skill myself. Over time, I improved, and after encouragement from a friend, I decided to open a small business.

What started with friends soon expanded to include external clients, and the business gradually developed from there. Running a small business has taught me a lot about organisation, time management, and customer service. It is a continuous learning process, but it has been extremely rewarding.

To further support this, I plan to visit the Careers and Enterprise Service at MMU to seek advice on growing my business, particularly around managing social media accounts and promoting my services effectively