A A R
Natalie Ray
Job Title: First Campus Administrator
Based at:University of Glamorgan

Your Role

Example of a typical event/ typical day at work
Picture of Natalie RayI run the ACE (Aiming for a college Education) Days at the University of Glamorgan. The aim of an ACE Day is to raise awareness of higher education, among school pupils within the Rhondda Cynon Taff, Newport, Cardiff and Vale areas.  This particular event involves working with pupils between 13-15 years of age.  On each event around 200 pupils come together from a number of different schools.  The day involves a series of exciting and challenging activities such as campus tours, what its really like to be a student (pupils have the opportunity to speak to current students studying at the University), budgeting exercises and many more.  These activities help raise the awareness of the accessibility of HE, the opportunities offered in terms of study and personal development.  As well as stating the difference between school and HE, the variety of entry routes to HE, the positive outcomes of HE through qualifications and enhanced opportunities.     

Key tasks
  • Central administrative point of contact and support for the First Campus Manager and Co-ordinators.
  • Organisation and administration of day to day links with schools
  • Organising and administration of First Campus activities, i.e. ACE Days
Favourite part of your job
Knowing that a First Campus event has raised aspirations of attending HE/FE for pupils who, because of lack of opportunity or expectation, have never considered it before.

You

I was born and live in the Rhondda Valleys.  I attended Treorchy Comprehensive School and gained 10 GCSE’s, grades A- C.  I then went on to do a GNVQ in Business Studies at Coleg Morgannwg as I wasn’t keen to stay on at sixth form at school.  Towards the end of my studies at Coleg Morgannwg I applied for a position at the University of Glamorgan as an apprentice within the School of Humanities and Social Sciences Student Office.  The apprenticeship provided me with a mixture of on and off the job training while being paid.  It enabled me to work alongside experienced staff within the administration field and gain job specific skills.  

I later applied for a post within the school of Humanities and Social Sciences and stayed there for three years.  I studied part time in the evenings, at Coleg Morgannwg for a HNC/D in Business Administration, before taking up my current role as First Campus Administrator within the Centre for Longlife Learning.  I also continued with my studies part time and gained a BA in Management and Business at the University of Glamorgan.           

Other interests
I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, walking, listening to music, visiting the cinema, shopping, travelling and going to the gym when I get the chance!