CASE Europe Graduate Trainees 2024/25 (Current Cohort)
Meet the current cohort for the CASE Europe Graduate Trainee Programme:
Srinidhi Seshadri
Please briefly introduce yourself.
I graduated in January 2024, and achieved my Master's degree, MSc Management (International Business), with a Merit classification.
I also hold a BSc in Food Science and Nutrition and a PG Diploma in French from Avinashilingam University, India.
Previously, I worked as a language educator teaching English and French in India, and before that as a leadership trainer in an outbound adventure firm. I was also an English Assistant in France for seven months teaching at two public schools. My experiences have led me to develop a deep passion for education in all its forms.
I am passionate about learning languages and am fluent in English, Tamil, Hindi, and French. I am currently learning Spanish, Korean, and Mandarin in my free time. I enjoy singing and music and am a trained Carnatic classical singer. I also enjoy running and I am currently training for a half marathon. Growing up I lived in different parts of the world from the Middle East to South East Asia and this has given me a great love for cultures of the world, languages, and meeting new people. I enjoy travelling, trying the cuisines of the world, and learning new things.
What inspired you to apply to CASE Graduate Trainee Programme?
As an individual who has always sought to take up career roles which make a meaningful contribution to society, I believe that this programme will allow me to build my career in advancement where my work can support meaningful causes and make a positive impact.
It will allow me to hone my existing skills and develop my knowledge and understanding of the sector, which align with my passion for education and lifelong learning.
I was inspired to apply to the CASE Graduate Trainee Programme because it would empower me to start and build a career in advancement and make impactful changes within education.
What is a cause you are passionate about?
Education. Education is the key to unlocking potential. However, there is a persistent and concerning disparity in the higher education landscape: Educational Inequality. The existence of this issue goes against our societal values and demands attention.
In our pursuit of progress and innovation, it is disheartening to know that not everyone has equal access to higher education. Financial barriers, lack of resources, and systemic inequalities have created a divide that limits the potential of countless bright minds. The consequences of educational inequality extend far beyond the individual, affecting communities and hindering the collective progress we aspire to achieve through education.
Why does fundraising for educational equality matter to you?
Fundraising for educational equality dismantles financial barriers that impede access to higher education. It empowers deserving individuals to pursue academic excellence irrespective of their socio-economic background. It empowers the less privileged by ensuring that students from underprivileged communities have the resources they need to succeed. Scholarships, mentorship programs, and access to educational materials pave the way for a brighter future. Fundraising will ensure that students are not limited by their circumstances and are empowered to transform their lives positively.
What are some of the things you are looking forward to at Durham University?
I am eager to work on the fundraising campaign for Durham University’s 200th-year anniversary. Working within the Development and Alumni Relations team at Durham University will be immensely rewarding and an excellent platform for learning and growth. The rotational aspect of the role is an exciting element that I look forward to greatly. I am sure this will allow me to gain a wider perspective of what working in the advancement sector entails.
Isabel Crossland
Please briefly introduce yourself.
I have just finished an Anthropology degree at the University of Exeter, predicted to graduate with First Class Honours in July 2024. I was lucky enough to spend my third year of university studying abroad at the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, where I studied international relations whilst also learning Spanish.
Outside of my studies and work, I was part of the cricket, hockey, and lacrosse societies at university. I love keeping active and playing team sports so tried as many as possible whilst at uni! I love to travel, visiting new places and experiencing new cultures.
What inspired you to apply to CASE Graduate Trainee Programme?
Alongside my degree I have worked with two mental-health based charities as a fundraiser. The rewarding nature of these roles sparked my love for fundraising, hence why I was inspired to apply to CASE. The programme encapsulates my passion for helping others with the opportunity to constantly continue learning. I was particularly attracted to the programme because of the online learning workshops and in-person training. It was very important to me to join a programme that offers continuous education as well as hands on experience. A career in advancement encapsulates my interests in fundraising, communication, and marketing, hence my passion to learn more with CASE.
What is a cause you are passionate about?
I am particularly passionate about mental health as a cause for fundraising. I have spent time working for two mental health-based charities – Youth Mental Health Foundation and Cocoon Kids Community Interest Company. Throughout my time with them, I began to recognise further the huge mental health crisis in the UK.
What are some of the things you are looking forward to at The London School of Economics and Political Sciences?
I have loved studying anthropology and international relations at university, so to be working in the advancement team for an institution that prioritises such disciplines excites me massively! I have long admired the LSE, and I can’t wait to develop the fundraising skills I have acquired to date at such a brilliant institution.
Louise Tulloch
Please briefly introduce yourself.
My name is Louise Tulloch and I studied at the University of Glasgow, graduating in June 2023 with an MA in Business and Management and Social and Public Policy. My joint degree structure encompassed a diverse field of study where I was exposed to both the theoretical and practical dimensions of management whilst also receiving insight into global and societal challenges and governmental responses to such issues.
Since graduating, I have worked as a camp counsellor in up-state New York and have spent time living in Australia as an au pair caring for three young children. Between America and Australia, I worked in hospitality whilst completing an internship in human resources. This summer, I am returning to work at camp for a third and final year in a leadership position.
What inspired you to apply to CASE Graduate Trainee Programme?
Volunteering and fundraising played a huge role in my time at university through my involvement in Glasgow University Charity Fashion Show (GUCFS) which is a student-led fundraising and awareness raising campaign that culminates in an annual fashion show. I thoroughly enjoyed leading the finance and sponsorship side of the society which enabled me to support and gain insight into some incredible charities, offering a real sense of reward. I felt that the CASE Graduate Trainee Programme provides an excellent opportunity to build upon the skills I learnt from my time with GUCFS whilst fulfilling my drive toward making a positive impact on society.
Having recently graduated from university, I recognise the widespread positive impact that higher education fosters. The programme presents a means for trainees to be a driving force in efforts to heighten this impact and its reach which is a highly rewarding prospect to me.
What is a cause you are passionate about?
I feel strongly about adequate provision of mental health support services. Although free services are available through the NHS, education institutions and charitable organisations, these resources are incredibly strained and insufficiently funded. Further, as private services are typically very expensive, many people are forced to suffer in silence. This highlights the necessity to increase the accessibility of these services as early intervention is key and greater presence of support services not only will ensure a happier and healthier society, but will also normalise seeking help, thus reducing the stigma surrounding mental health.
What are some of the things you are looking forward to at Imperial College London?
I’m really looking forward to working with a team of like-minded individuals, where we can combine our efforts to achieve meaningful goals together. The idea of collaborating with a group of driven people to make a positive impact is something I find incredibly exciting.
The way Imperial College London structures its programme, allowing trainees to complete secondments across different teams in the department, also really appeals to me. I am looking forward to gaining insight and experience across the entire division of advancement and am eager to learn the extent to which the department operates and contributes.
Favourite Hobbies?
I competed in slalom kayaking for several years in a national league. The sport has brought me to training camps across Europe and the London 2012 Olympic training course.
Lucy Whiting
Please briefly introduce yourself.
I am currently studying at the University of York and will be graduating in July of 2024. I am pursuing an undergraduate integrated Master of Science degree in Psychology with a focus on developmental disorders.
During my degree I was employed as a Senior Fundraiser for my university’s biannual telethon campaign, YuCall, which raises money for the five flagship funds at the university. As a Senior Fundraiser I was responsible for leading, motivating, and supporting a team of 26 callers to reach set targets throughout the campaign. Over two six-week campaigns we successfully reached and surpassed our target, in total raising over £250,000 which will all go to students at the University of York.
What inspired you to apply to CASE Graduate Trainee Programme?
The hands-on experience that this scheme offers, working in real educational institutions, is a very attractive factor to me. This opportunity not only offers practical experience, but also open avenues for networking within the sector. CASE clearly creates a supportive environment which helps graduates to develop professionally and gain insights into the various roles within the sector, something in which I am very keen to participate.
The opportunity to participate in development opportunities, gaining a comprehensive understanding of, and experience in, fundraising and advancement is something that particularly interests me. The combination of on-the-job training and the support network CASE is shown to offer, mixing with other graduates and the wider CASE network, is another compelling aspect of this programme.
Additionally, I am excited at the prospect of making a meaningful impact while developing professionally in a supportive and diverse environment.
What is a cause you are passionate about?
I am passionate about fundraising to help others, and truly believe that everyone deserves access to education and support, irrespective of their circumstances.
I have witnessed firsthand the transformative impact of fundraising on students and am eager to continue contributing to this cause past graduation. I’ve seen how financial support can break down barriers and open doors for those who might otherwise be unable to access educational opportunities, and I remain committed to ensuring that education strives to become an inclusive barrier-free domain.
I am particularly passionate about making the world a better place for people with learning disabilities and am particularly supportive of a charity called Mencap which I have volunteered with in the past. Mencap endeavours to support individuals with learning disabilities and their families in every walk of life. They work tirelessly with and campaign for accessible and inclusive services and a better quality of life for those with learning disabilities.
What are some of the things you are looking forward to at Cardiff University?
I am looking forward to being part of the team at Cardiff and having the opportunity to speak with their alumni about the fantastic research they do and the students’ they support. Being from a Welsh family, but brought up in England, I am also excited to live in Wales and learn more about its cultural heritage.
Matthew Jennings
What inspired you to apply to CASE Graduate Trainee Programme?
Having completed an internship with Cambridge’s Development and Alumni Relations Office, I fell in love with the sector and so wanted to stay in advancement. I particularly enjoy how close the sector gets to academia, all whilst being the powerhouse of many access initiatives I hold dear to my heart. As someone who identifies first and foremost as a mission-driven and intellectually curious individual, advancement really appeals to me.
So it was really a no-brainer to apply to become a CASE trainee. The traineeship provides an amazing and thorough induction into advancement, whilst the opportunity to work in a host institution on group and individual projects is greatly exciting!
What is a cause you are passionate about?
Beyond all else, I am passionate about increasing social mobility and access to education. As someone who grew up on a council estate in the north and was the first to attend university in my family, I’ve seen firsthand the power education has to uplift people from disadvantaged backgrounds. I hope to champion both causes in my work by advocating for more financial support for those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
What are some of the things you are looking forward to at The University of Warwick?
To put it shortly: lots of things! To elaborate just a touch, I’m primarily looking forward to joining the volunteers team. They are all lovely people and they are working on some great projects, such as Warwick’s mentoring platform.
Beyond just joining the team, I’m also eager to jump into my projects in which I’ll get to work in a variety of different areas of advancement from volunteer co-ordination, to campaign management. During my internship, I focused on prospect research, so I’m interested to see how other areas of the sector function.
Facts about you?
My proudest current accomplishment is building some Lego flowers without the assistance of my partner (even if they were the easiest flowers to build). I also have an obsession with buying weird charity shop finds. My best find yet is some coasters from the House of Lords. And finally: if I could be any animal, I would be a triceratops.
Hobbies?
Mainly cooking new vegan food for me and my partner, which tends to go well, but has had its disasters. I also enjoy walks around the countryside, reading philosophy when I get the time, and exploring different parts of the UK permitted the cost of the train isn’t too atrocious!