After the great feedback and success of publishing our IGNITE website and social media platforms, we decided to shine a spotlight on one graduate, who has uploaded their portfolio to the IGNITE website, each week. Through our Weekly Graduate Spotlight, the graduate chosen will have their work and their experience of The University of Plymouth or Plymouth College of Art promoted and celebrated on our various IGNITE platforms.

Kate’s Experience of Studying at The University of Plymouth

For Kate, the English and Creative Undergraduate degree has drawn out her best skills and writing styles which has equipped her with a diverse portfolio of work, ready to enter the career world. One element of the course which Kate has found particularly beneficial is the incorporation of workshops within the creative writing modules, which give the students opportunities to gain regular constructive feedback on their work, an integral element of careers which involve writing.

“Plymouth is an emerging hub for creative disciplines and I’m glad to be a BA Graduate, building new connections across the city and beyond” – Kate Lowman, English and Creative Writing Graduate.

Post-Graduation Plans

As Plymouth is Kate’s home, she plans to keep Plymouth as her base while making her own opportunities across the country through freelance writing and networking sites.

Kate has been accepted on an iMayflower scheme virtual internship supplied by The University of Plymouth to support students who may be struggling with finding work experience due to the current global pandemic. Kate’s virtual internship will give her valuable experience in copywriting for clients of a marketing agency, a new avenue of writing which Kate is looking forward to exploring. However, she does not plan to limit herself solely to copywriting work, Kate hopes to also pursue editorial and freelance feature writing roles in the future.

Overcoming Challenges

Due to the recent lockdown measures put in place, Kate has found completing her degree anticlimactic without the thrill of a final hand-in, last seminar or celebratory drinks which she had anticipated for ending the undergraduate chapter of her life. However, despite the challenges of lockdown limiting Kate’s end of university experience, she has been actively using the extra time to work on current freelance writing, as well as searching for new opportunities. Due to these challenges, Kate has expressed how important IGNITE is for current graduates who are facing uncertain times, with the opportunity to make potential employers aware of the talent of the graduates. 

“IGNITE has been an exciting opportunity to see my profile realised on a business platform. I think it’s a fantastic idea to support the creatives in our city and promises students another network, post-graduate.” – Kate Lowman, English and Creative Writing Graduate.