School of Sociology and Social Policy

Natasha Laws

BA Sociology | 2008 - 2011

Why I chose Sociology at Leeds
I previously studied Sociology at A Level and became fascinated in the diverse topics one can learn; from crime and politics to media. The topics are extremely interesting and I was drawn to the flexibility of the course at Leeds.

Each year you are able to take electives outside of the School. Due to my equal passion in Business; I was able to take Management/Career modules alongside my Sociology modules.

When I was applying for my degree I had the chance of offers from Manchester and Birmingham. However, upon visiting to all Universities; Leeds really stood out to me! I was drawn to the friendliness of all the staff, the facilities, reputation and rather importantly the student life!  

Facilities
The facilities here are excellent. The library is first-class and I haven’t had to buy a single book in all my 3 years at University - I just keep renewing them (great tip for new students)! I am a member of the University’s Edge gym; which is the largest fitness suite of any UK university with state-of-the-art equipment! There are a wide range of classes to participate in which suits everyone’s taste.

I would definitely recommend University of Leeds as an excellent place to study; especially in Sociology and Social Policy. If you are looking for a top research institute, breadth of specialism’s, high quality teaching staff- then Leeds is for you!

I can honestly say I have enjoyed every minute of my time at University and I advise everyone to make the most of all the opportunities Leeds has to offer!

Outside of study
There are hundreds of societies to join; ranging from debating, sports and even SocSoc (which is run by the students in Sociology & Social Policy). Outside of my studies I have kept very busy; I have been a student ambassador, course mentor and course representative.

I have also been involved in numerous voluntary work projects, such as a volunteer mentor at Leeds Rhino’s Learning Centre- which was a great experience!

At the moment, I am a volunteer fundraiser for a charity called Leeds Mencap.  In addition, I work part-time at Miss Selfridge.  

City life
Leeds is cheap and vibrant. The social side of life here is great! You will never get bored because there is so much to do.  After I graduate I will defiantly visit Leeds as it is now my favourite city!

My internship
During my second year, I knew I wanted to gain experience in Management through an internship. The job market is competitive, so securing a job after university is tough. I knew that having an internship would make me stand out and I was determined in securing one!

The Careers Centre was fantastic; they gave me advice, motivation and support throughout my internship search.  

I was given invaluable advice on CV tips, interview techniques and application form advice. As a result, I was offered numerous interviews and successfully secured a 3 month internship at Enterprise Rent-a-Car.

My role was a Management Trainee and from the first day I felt like a key member of the team and was given real responsibility.

This was vital for me as I did not want to be the intern that did all the errands. It was quite daunting at first as there is a lot to learn; but within time you will quickly learn.  

I was often left alone to run the branch; I thought that was quite an achievement and everything managed to run smoothly. I was involved in other aspects; such as marketing and I even got the opportunity to help out on a Graduate Assessment Centre! I thought this was a great experience as I got an insider’s look at what employers are looking for.

I have gained countless employability skills; such as sales, customer service, team work and the ability to multi-task effectively.

Furthermore, this internship has put me in a very good position. After my internship, I was asked to become a Brand Manager for Enterprise at University of Leeds.

I was also given the opportunity to fast-track the application process to the final stage in the graduate process, if I wanted to return.

During my final year, whilst applying for graduate schemes I noticed having an internship on my CV/application was beneficial and heard quicker responses from employers compared to friends without one.  

Overall, I would definitely recommend to everyone that securing an internship or some sort of career-related experience is vital! This will benefit you greatly whilst applying for jobs.  

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