City Connections

City Connections provides you with the opportunity to meet successful Sheffield alumni working in the North and London and develop your own network of professional contacts.

It's your chance to visit a range of organisations and gain an insight into the exciting career opportunities open to you.

Students and alumni meeting at a networking reception

On

What is City Connections?

City Connections is designed to support students from under-represented backgrounds to develop their networking and communication skills, commercial awareness and enhance their career prospects.

This year there will be two opportunities to choose from with the Northern event taking place on Wednesday 26 March 2025 in Manchester and London City Connections taking place on Wednesday 12 March 2025.

The project provides students with the opportunity to build connections with alumni of the University of Sheffield who've reached senior positions in major organisations, and who generously give their time to support the project. Students taking part gain an insight into a wide range of career sectors and hear first-hand from alumni how they've got to where they are today.

City Connections made me realise how many options and career paths I have with my degree. Speaking to professionals who were in the same position as me eased my anxieties about leaving university

City Connections 2024 participant

What does City Connections involve?

Sheffield alumni and students engaging at Northern City Connection

This year, you have the chance to choose from a Northern programme or to visit the Capital for the London event

Each programme consists of a pre-event workshop to prepare you for the day itself. You'll also be expected to attend a post-event workshop to learn about how you can use your experience as you think about life after graduation.

City Connections pre-event workshop

Receive advice and information to prepare you and help you make the most of the business workshops and networking event and meet the other students and staff taking part.

We’ll cover commercial awareness, networking, logistics and tell you about the alumni and businesses we’ll be hearing from. We’ll also support you in setting up or improving your own LinkedIn profile.

City Connections business visits and networking event

After a day of workshops at different organisations, you'll have the chance to meet a range of Sheffield alumni from different sectors at the evening networking event.

NB. Lunch, evening nibbles and drinks will be provided.

City Connections post-event workshop

Reunion time. We’ll get back together to share experiences of the day and explore how you can use these in your development. You’ll also receive advice for following up contacts and signposts to other University opportunities.

Applications will open soon for City Connections

City Connections has helped me to realise that your background does not determine opportunities you get in life, the work you put in and your dedication does.

City Connections 2024 Participant

How do I apply for City Connections?

The events are open to all Social Sciences and Arts and Humanities students at Level 2 and 3 from widening participation backgrounds.

You must meet at least one of the following criteria to be eligible to take part:

be from an area of low higher education participation, low household income or low socioeconomic status
be from a Black, Asian and minority ethnic background and a home student
be a mature student
identify as a disabled student
be a care leaver
be a carers
be a student who is estranged from their family
be from a Gypsy, Roma and Traveller community
be a refugee
be from a military family
have been eligible for Free School Meals during your time at secondary school, sixth form or college

If you have any adjustments you may need in order to participate in the event, please let us know. We can support you in any way you might need.

If you meet any of the criteria listed above, simply fill in the application form when it opens, where you can indicate which event you'd like to attend.

If you have any questions about these criteria or anything else, please email Tracy Horton (Social Sciences) at t.horton@sheffield.ac.uk or Edd Poole (Arts and Humanities) at e.poole@sheffield.ac.uk

Spaces are limited and it is crucial that you are fully committed and able to attend all three events. Please check any other commitments before making your application.

Who will I meet?

During the day, we’ll attend workshops with different businesses based in Manchester for NCC and London for LCC, where you'll get to hear from our very own Sheffield alumni who now work in large organisations.

This will be followed by the chance to meet a range of alumni and develop your networking skills at the popular evening networking event.

City Connections Business Visits

London

Daytime Business Visits (you'll have the chance to choose from one)

Lorna Wilson, Head of Innovation, MediaCom

Wayne Garvie, President, Sony Pictures Televsion

Afternoon Business Visit

Jerome Frost (Chair) and graduate recruitment, ARUP

Manchester

Daytime Business Visits (you'll have the chance to choose from one)

David Lynch, Director of Development, Manchester City Council

Katie Powell, Volunteer Manager, Science and Industry Museum

Afternoon Business Visit

Jon Kenworthy (Partner) and graduate recruitment, DLA Piper

Evening Networking Event (both events)

Meet alumni from across the Social Science and Arts and Humanities departments and develop your confidence in speaking to professionals. Build your networks with a range of Sheffield graduates working in sectors from across the industries.

Students and alumni chat at a networking event

Some final points

You must be available to attend all three dates
You are required to attend the pre and post-event workshops, the business workshops and networking event
You are responsible for making your tutor and/or lecturers aware if you are to miss any classes