Staff Case Study: Kirstin Thompson

Kirstin Thompson is a Student Funding Adviser at York St John University. She studied theatre at York St John, after graduating, she was asked to join a professional theatre company and travelled around Yorkshire performing to schools, and returned to York in 2006.

What is your job and what does it involve?

I work as a student funding advisor at York St John University. I offer advice and guidance across a wide area of student funding, administer the Access to Learning Fund, and many other University Scholarships. I give talks at open/ visit and interview days, and much more.

Where were you born and where do you live now?

I was born in a small village outside Glasgow, but moved to the outer area of York to a small village and grew up there.

Why did you choose to stay in York?

I was originally heading to Drama school, but at the time my father’s job was unsecure, so didn’t want to move to far away in case I needed to move out of student accommodation. So I choose to look at York St John University so I could commute if needed, but fell in love with the place when I saw it.

What do you like about your job?

I have worked in many private sectors, and really didn’t understand and like the final product I was working for or with. But working with students, when I understand what it’s like to be one, I very much enjoy.

What do you like about your host institution?

I love the community feel and the friendliness that surrounds York St John University. I felt it as a student and now a staff member, and the campus is so beautiful.

What do you like about York?

I just love the city, it’s beautiful, cultured and has history, and it’s only when you have been away and come back, you really know how lucky you are to live in York

What do you think your institution contributes to the city of York?

I think because we are in the heart of the York, our community based University rubs off around the city and our students want to give back. We have many students working or, on placements in York so they become part of the elements that make York such a good city.

How your role has changed or developed in the last year?

My role has become much more demanding in the last year in light of the changes to tuition fees. Our team has found an increasing rise in numbers applying to the Access to Learning Fund, who have found themselves in hardship, and prospective students entering in 2012 are contacting us with regards to the new fee increase and money worries. My colleagues and I have been involved in much more fund raising events to raise money for the University hardship fund, and have found this so rewarding.