Daniela Waters graduated with a degree in Drama and English Literature in 2012. She is now a Media and Communications Officer at The National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society.
Can you tell us more about your job and how studying at Birmingham helped your career?
"Working with the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society means I can make a huge difference to the 690,000 people in the UK living with the debilitating disease while getting really great experience in working with the media. I began working, in conjunction with my studies, with a student events company: this required time management, prioritisation and good social skills! It is this balance of studying and working that enhanced my CV and helped me to get a job after graduating. Studying at University of Birmingham helped my career because I learned to be self-disciplined and how to write properly. Essay deadlines meant that I learnt to really manage my time well and now I do not struggle with deadlines in my career at all. University also gave me great resources such as career talks which helped me to choose my current career in Public Relations!"
What is your favourite memory of studying at the University of Birmingham?
"My favourite memory of the University is walking into the English Department in 2012 and finding my name on the 2:1 notice board with all my peers. That elated feeling is something I will truly never forget. The English office were all hugging us and crying with us and the atmosphere was amazing. There is a real sense of ‘togetherness’ at the University of Birmingham and I will remember the good times forever."
What would be your advice to current students?
"Enjoy every minute of your time and utilise every resource that you can. Your tutors are there to help you so don’t feel intimidated to ask for help. Learn to reference in your first year or you will really struggle throughout. Most of all make friends on your course. It’s great if you are poorly and miss a day and need to catch up!"