National Volunteer Week June 2024: Celebrating our Alumni Volunteers

Part four: Busola Oladipo-Bamidele

This week we will be celebrating and highlighting some of the amazing work that our alumni volunteers do in support of our University of Hull community.  For some it may be a one off such as speaking at an event or for others it may be longer term e.g. volunteering for the Student Futures Career E-Mentoring Programme.  Which ever way that time is given we appreciate every moment of it!

Today we shine the spotlight on Busola Oladipo-Bamidele who completed her MA in Education in 2023 and now works for the University of Hull in the library. Busola is an alumni volunteer who has volunteered her time in so many ways for the benefit of the University of Hull students and community including being a panel speaker on the Student Futures ‘Careers Q and A with International Alumni’, assisting our Global Engagement  and Recruitment Team’s to help the international and prospective students experience as well as much more!!!

Please could you tell us what motivated you to give your time back to the University of Hull?

To me, it’s my way of projecting the virtues I have acquired from the university, showcasing my own capacities and positively influencing others to strive for greater achievements as unique individuals. As an international alumnus, it is my way of telling the international community that there are limitless opportunities to develop, advance and achieve great feats despite their backgrounds, limitations, experiences, and expectations. It is my own way of showing that good things could come from unexpected places and thus, changing the world view on international students/ alumni right from my little corner of the world.

 What do you enjoy most about your volunteering at the University of Hull?

I enjoy the fact that I get to make a difference in the way new students see themselves, motivate them to look beyond the norms, empower them to break free from limitations, challenge them to achieve great feats and be there to celebrate their accomplishments. I appreciate learning from the insights, skills, and experiences of other alumni of the university. I also appreciate becoming a valuable member of the university community helping to inspire multitudes beyond the university to dare to be exceptional.

What do you think are the benefits of volunteering?

-Learning from other alumni volunteers and staff with the different teams at the university.

-Developing an international network of professionals and achievers amongst the university alumni.

 -Personal development.

–Professional development.

Please could you describe what connection you feel towards the University of Hull and its staff and students today?

Personally, I have harnessed an amazing connection that has evolved into an international kinship and global citizenship which I would not trade for anything! The University of Hull has remarkably become my family, home, and happy place!

Would you recommend being a volunteer to your fellow University alumni?

Alumni Volunteering Is absolutely recommended!!! It is a simple, classic, and exceptional way to develop oneself, become resourceful and celebrate the amazing university while also becoming an inspiration to others.

Has Busola inspired you to become an alumni volunteer? To find out more email Jill Smithson, Alumni Volunteer Coordinator at alumni@hull.ac.uk or Interested in being an alumni volunteer – sign up here