Adelle Fairclough is someone who’s committed to ensuring the employability success of all students and graduates. So much so, that her work to embed equality, diversity and inclusion within Careers and Enterprise saw her pick up a Professional Services: Inspiring the Extraordinary Award earlier this year.
Adelle Fairclough
Adelle won the Championing Respect, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Award for her outstanding contribution to progressing EDI at the University.
Adelle said: “It’s nice to be recognised as it shows that people appreciate what we’re doing.
Ensuring equality, diversity and inclusion - or EDI - is an integral part of everything we do in Careers and Enterprise really matters to our students, graduates, the employers we work with, and to our entire team.
“The award is something I’m really proud of and it’s great that the team has been recognised for their dedication to EDI. Three people in Careers & Enterprise were shortlisted for the awards which I think demonstrates the level of hard work and dedication in our team and commitment to the service we provide.
“I hope the award will further show students and graduates that we’re here for everyone”
Adelle Fairclough
Adelle works as a Careers Adviser, a role which mainly involves providing careers advice and guidance to students and graduates, delivering central and departmental workshops and careers talks, and supporting individuals to explore career options, develop skills and experience and achieve their individual aspirations.
Before joining the University in 2015, Adelle worked with the National Careers Service and has extensive experience of supporting individuals from diverse backgrounds to achieve their career goals.
“Careers & Enterprise is here to support all students and graduates and EDI is embedded into everything we do. Diversity in a careers context is so varied. Whether you’re the first generation in your family to attend university and worried about not having a professional network, a mature student changing career direction who doesn’t know where to begin with a graduate CV, an autistic student who is concerned about adjustments in interviews or a trans student with questions around inclusive employers. We hear career-related EDI concerns like these, and many more, every day. We’re here to advise, guide and provide practical support.”
In addition to direct student delivery, Adelle has been instrumental in leading the wider Careers and Enterprise team.
“My experience and knowledge enabled me to support and empower colleagues and helped to shape our tailored services in Careers & Enterprise, to provide enhanced careers support for students and graduates from diverse backgrounds.
“This has led to some key projects including student-facing careers resources providing careers information for students and graduates with protected characteristics, diversity-focused events, established partnerships with organisations such as EmployAbility and exclusive internship and development opportunities.”
“Helping to remove barriers for our students and graduates and seeing their career progression is one of the most rewarding aspects of my work.”
You can see the full list of winners and nominees for the Professional Services Inspiring the Extraordinary Awards.
You can also learn more about the work of the Careers and Enterprise Centre and read about their EDI activity, support and resources.