Opportunities Team

Assistant Director (Opportunities)

Sharon Cant

Sharon leads the Opportunities Team within the Careers Centre, overseeing a variety of initiatives designed to connect students and graduates with employers and alumni. These opportunities include careers fairs, internships, work shadowing, and networking events, all aimed at promoting career exploration and enhancing employability. Sharon is responsible for shaping the strategy in this area, ensuring the development of strong relationships that benefit our students.

With over 17 years of experience in higher education careers, including her role in the Employer Engagement Team at the University of Edinburgh, Sharon also brings recent experience as a recruiter, offering a unique perspective to her work.

Asian and Taught Postgraduate Opportunities Manager

Ran (Ellen) Wei

Ellen engages with employers and alumni to identify and make opportunities (primarily Asia-based) more accessible for students and alumni. She also works closely with Schools and units across the University to enhance postgraduate taught students’ experience. Prior to joining the Careers Centre in St Andrews, Ellen had six years of work experience in project management within the higher education sector.

North American Opportunities Manager

Jonathan Jack

Jonathan engages with alumni, employers and stakeholders in North America to build mutually beneficial partnerships and source opportunities for students. Jonathan’s role helps students to make connections within their preferred sector and industry within the United States and Canada to prepare them for their future careers. Prior to joining the Careers Centre, Jonathan worked in Philanthropy and Development for ten years within the Scottish Higher Education and Third Sectors.

Employability Experiences Manager

Rachel McEwen

Rachel focusses on increasing and diversifying internships and work experiences for students. She works with our Employability Experiences Coordinator to help students gain a solid foundation of employability before leaving the University of St Andrews. With the support of our Alumni, Rachel develops many experiences including networking, mentoring, work shadowing, skills workshops, competitions and internships. She has previously worked with and supported young people throughout Scotland.

Employability Experiences Coordinator

Michelle Stewart

Michelle plays an active and vital part in the operational work of the Careers Centre Opportunities Team. She works towards improving and increasing the number of internships and work experiences available to our students as well as developing the support services we offer to students, employers and alumni. Michelle works with our Employability Experiences Manager to develop employability programmes and initiatives, whilst maintaining and growing relationships with employers and alumni, to the benefit of our students.

Opportunities and Events Coordinator

Jenni Turnbull

Jenni engages with employers and alumni to provide students and graduates with a wide variety of events and connections, including the delivery of the Careers Centre's internship programmes. She helps organise and coordinate Careers Centre events including Careers Fairs, employer presentations and insight days. She is responsible for marketing opportunities across the Careers Centre's social media platforms. Jenni is also part of a cross-service team providing reception cover and frontline services.

Opportunities and Events Coordinator

Michaela Mackie

Michaela engages with employers and alumni to provide students and graduates with a wide variety of events and connections, including the delivery of the Careers Centre's internship programmes. She helps organise and coordinate Careers Centre events including Careers Fairs, employer presentations and insight days. She is responsible for marketing opportunities across the Careers Centre's social media platforms. Michaela is also part of a cross-service team providing reception cover and frontline services.

Operations Manager

Laura Jackson

Laura works collaboratively with all colleagues to underpin an effective service delivery across a diverse range of unit functions. She is responsible for all administrative matters including HR and finance and is the Career Centre's Health and Safety Officer. Laura has worked in several finance, administrative and management roles across various settings, most recently as an Accommodation Manager for Sanctuary Students at the University of Dundee. She is also part of a cross-service team providing reception cover and frontline services.