Name: Collette Motteram

University from which you've graduated:

University of Sheffield

Degree subject:

English and History

Which societies/sports clubs were you a member of:

Sexpression (a national student-lead charity which teaches Sex and Relationships Education in local schools). I volunteered teaching students age 11 to 18 for 3 years and was on committee for 2 as Schools Liaison Officer and then Social Sec. In that time I attended and hosted conferences, trained volunteers, organised and taught lessons across my community, and raised awareness for key issues around the university. 
Also Zumba society!

Home town:

Ipswich, UK

Host institution:

King's College London

Why did you apply to the graduate trainee scheme?

I was encouraged to apply while working as a supervisor for Sheffield’s fundraising call campaign. I’d really enjoyed working there and learning about higher education fundraising for two years as a student caller to begin with and then as a supervisor. The freedom of the job appealed to me and the personal conversations and new relationships that lead up to a donation meant that I always came home having learnt something new. The idea of turning this into a career was exciting and I appreciated the security that a graduate scheme could offer coming up to graduation.

What are you hoping to achieve from your year on the scheme?

I'm keen to take every opportunity and learn as much as possible about the sector before the year is finished. That way I hope I'll have the experience to make a choice as to what area of fundraising suits me best. I am also excited to gain skills in face-to-face fundraising, something which is a very new challenge to me!

What are you career ambitions?

After working in University of Sheffield's fundraising team and now experience of how it works at King's I'm keen to learn even more about higher education fundraising. At the moment I'm enjoying major gifts work but I'm open to that changing during the year! Mostly I'm excited to keep working in a sector where I believe in the causes that I am working for and knowing that the work I do can hopefully have a really positive impact.

What are you hobbies/activities outside of study/work?

I really enjoy going to the theatre as often as I can afford as well as regularly cooking and baking new things for my friends.

Proudest moment?

Being on the organising committee for a Sexpression weekend conference with attendees from all over the UK. It was a lot of work but a great success!

LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/collette-motteram-b86a07171/