Kamari Ahmad

Please tell us a bit about yourself and your background? 

I was born and raised in Hong Kong and later moved to the UK. I studied Media Production in college, I want to pursue a career in the third sector as a content writer or digital marketer. I make my podcast in my spare time.  

What made you want to apply to your course and to Leeds? 

I wanted to apply to University of Leeds when I was still studying my GCSEs. My interests have always overlapped, such as film, literature, history, philosophy, sociology. When I was researching universities to apply to, I was confused about which course to study because I wanted to study them all, because I’ve always seen them connected with each other and providing a wider context in that way.  

When I discovered University of Leeds, I made my mind up. I wanted to pursue a career in Media so I wanted to study Media Studies and I wanted an interdisciplinary subject as well, which is Cultural Studies that combines different fields of studies.  

What is it that makes you passionate about your area of study? 

To be a Cultural and Media Studies student is to be a reader. Not just of books but of every cultural artefacts and practices that surround us. I love the fact that we get to combine subject areas such as literature, sociology, film, art, communications and history to read underlying aspects of society, our behaviour, ideologies and practices.  

The freedom that an interdisciplinary course like this gives, allows us to explore our society in limitless ways.  

What aspects of the course do you enjoy the most?   

I love the seminars. Lectures are all about learning and digesting the new content and reading but seminars are when you get to share your view, your newly discovered perspective. You get the chance to see what your peers think, you will have clashes in different opinions or someone will share a side of the discussion you hadn’t thought of. It enhances what you are learning, it’s great fun and you find your voice as an academic student in a seminar room. 

Have you worked closely with a particular tutor or member or the University’s academic staff? Tell us about that experience.  

I have worked closely with my personal tutor. A personal tutor is the one constant that you will have in your time at university, lecturers will change, classmates will change, but your personal tutor will remain the same throughout your 3 or 4 years at Leeds..  

Meetings with my personal tutor has been a way for me to make sure I'm on track, that I'm not losing focus and to just share with someone how I'm adjusting and if I have any problems, academically or personally. My tutor has always settled my anxieties about online learning and university study in general with calm advice, encouragement and guidance. She's also been really helpful with career advice and how far I should be planning.

What other activities are available for students to take part in outside of their studies, and which ones have you tried out yourself? 

Last year, I was part of the Film Society where you get to watch new and classic films every week. I also contributed to FAHACS student magazine Artifex that showcases artworks, essays and reviews.   

This year I’ve changed gear and joined clubs and societies that would help me with making a decision about my career. I joined the University’s newspaper The Gryphon’s as a member and the AMP club which is an Advertising, Marketing and PR club. 

What do you plan to do when you’ve finished your course, and how do you think the skills and knowledge you’ve developed so far at Leeds will help with these plans? 

I plan on either pursuing content writing or digital marketing, I am not sure between these two. That is why I’ve joined The Gryphon and AMP where I will get to attend industry panels, careers events, training and workshops. I will gain experience in writing for the Gryphon newspaper and producing marketing campaign projects with AMP.  

The experience, knowledge and networking will let me decide which career I want to pursue. Whichever career I choose, I want to join the third sector working for a charity. I decided this after I completed a summer internship with a Leeds anti-Hate Crime charity, Stop Hate UK, where I wrote website copy and content.  

Skills and knowledge that I think will help me with my plan are independent and critical thinking skills that you need for digesting new ideas and presenting your own views. Organisational and time management skills that you need to juggle multiple assignment deadlines at University will help you in any life situation, whether that is applying for jobs or working at a job.  

What would you say to anyone thinking of applying to your course? 

I would say be ready to come with an open mind, because this course will introduce you to a whole host of theories and ideas. You will be encouraged to voice your opinions and thoughts, which we help you a great deal in writing your essays, in discussions with your peers and in workplaces.  

This course will open many doors for you in terms of careers, the opportunities are limitless and the University’s excellent careers service can help you grab one of them.