Gallery: Highlights from our recent graduates networking event in London
On Thursday 20 March, we hosted a Recent Graduates Networking Event in London, welcoming a fantastic group of alumni and students to connect, exchange insights, and explore life beyond graduation.
The event kicked off with a panel discussion featuring four recent graduates working in diverse fields - from finance to higher education - who generously shared their personal journeys, professional insights, and lessons learned.
Our incredible speakers – Connor Wood (LLB Hons Law with Politics 2023, Pictet Asset Management), Fatima Jammeh (BA Hons Business Economics 2022, Santander), Tom White (BSc Hons Economics 2022. NatWest) and Hannah Merchant (BA Hons English Literature 2022, Universities UK International) – discussed everything from career pivots to imposter syndrome, and navigating corporate culture to the importance of work-life balance.
“Feel confident in reaching out to professionals on LinkedIn who hold positions you aspire to,” said Connor. “Some of the most effective networking happens informally, such as through coffee chats, where both parties can engage in genuine and impactful conversations in a relaxed setting.”
For Fatima, the experience of speaking at the event was just as meaningful as it was for those attending: “Speaking on the panel was an incredibly rewarding experience – it pushed me outside my comfort zone and reminded me of the power of shared learning and open dialogue.”
Following the panel, attendees broke into networking circles, where panellists led small group conversations on key topics:
- Transitioning from university to full-time work
- Building meaningful connections in London
- Career development and change
- Managing expectations and prioritising wellbeing
This part of the evening was a real highlight for many, with one of our attendees, Kerem Keles (BA Hons Business Management 2024) sharing: “This session reinforced the value of maintaining meaningful contact with potential employers, clients, and partners. As a result, I now feel more confident in approaching new connections with the right strategy.”
Key takeaways from the evening
- Networking doesn’t have to be awkward – be shameless and follow up
- Authentic conversations beat a stack of business cards
- Careers aren’t linear – embrace detours and opportunities
- Prioritise work-life balance – it’s part of long-term success
Photo credit: Yuheng Wang (BA Accounting and Finance 2023)
A huge thank you to our speakers, attendees, and everyone who helped make the evening a success. Feel free to connect with our speakers on LinkedIn: Connor Wood, Fatima Jammeh, Tom White, and Hannah Merchant.
We’re proud to support our alumni as they continue to grow and thrive professionally, and we look forward to seeing even more of you at future events.
Liverpool Leaders with Dame Amanda Blanc
If you'd like to join us for another in-person event in London, we'll be hosting our next Liverpool Leaders event with industry leader Dame Amanda Blanc, the Group Chief Executive Officer of Aviva plc, a leading insurance firm. Amanda will share her remarkable journey from being a history student at Liverpool to holding several senior positions across the insurance industry. This event will take place Thursday 1 May from 6-8.30pm at Woburn House, London.
If you’d like to volunteer, please complete the form here.