Meet the Solent Futures team
The Solent Futures Team sits within Student Experience. Whatever your career query, someone on your team can answer it or point you in the right direction.
If you want to find out more about what each team member does, and how to contact them, click on one of the tabs below.
Management team
Deputy Head of Student Experience (Careers)
Liz Hillawi
elizabeth.hillawi@solent.ac.uk
Professional background
I studied chemistry at university and admit that I didn’t know what I wanted to do as a result of it. After a short time as a recruitment consultant in pharmaceuticals, I became a science teacher. I worked in secondary schools and sixth forms managing large teams for 12 years before making the move to Solent to manage Solent Futures. I am passionate about students being on the right track for the eventual careers choices that they will make by supporting the team to provide good quality advice and access to good quality events. I also work on specific employability initiatives to support the Access and Participation plan and Graduate Outcomes.
How I support students
I support students by ensuring that the careers team deliver great quality employability and enterprise information throughout the curriculum and alongside their studies to ensure that they succeed both during and after their degree.
Solent Futures administrative assistant
Gwen Goodger
Careers advisers
Careers adviser
Jude Hanley
Professional background
I have worked as a careers adviser for over 25 years, with the last 10 of those in higher education. In addition, I am a careers writer and member of the Careers Writers Association, a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, and an LGBTQ+ Stonewall authentic workplace role model. As well as the NVQ4 in Guidance, I hold a CMI Certificate in Coaching and Mentoring, Basic Proofreading, BPS Level A in Psychometric Testing, and BA (Hons) in Humanities with Creative Writing. My particular interest is in supporting students from the LGBTQ+ community and with this in mind, I have written articles which have been published, conducted research, and delivered staff training.
How I help students
I work with all students across the University as well as prospective students and graduates. I write and deliver central workshops which are open to any student, as well as bespoke sessions within the curriculum to specific course groups. Through providing impartial 1-2-1 careers guidance, I aim to raise students' confidence and support their career decision to enable them to have a positive outcome upon graduation.
Careers adviser
Victoria Simpson BA(Hons), PGCE, PGDipCG, RCDP, PGCLT(HE), FHEA
Professional background
I have been a careers adviser for over 20 years, providing one-to-one employability information, advice and guidance to all ages, and offering expertise in the design and delivery of career learning experiences within compulsory, further, and higher education. My career path of educational and occupational experience has included: undergraduate and postgraduate study at four universities; roles as a secretarial 'temp', personal assistant, and human resources administrator for a diverse range of private and public sector organisations; planning and facilitating learning in secondary schools as a teacher of religious education; and a transformational year working as a community service volunteer in an area of high deprivation, supporting vulnerable adults with complex mental health needs.
How I help students
Using vocational guidance and counselling skills, I enable individuals to identify and explore career options, aspirations and graduate opportunities; encouraging them to build confidence, recognise capabilities, and grow connections; and empowering students and alumni to become 'career-ready' to achieve positive graduate outcomes. Using career pedagogy and labour market intelligence, I design and deliver careers education within and alongside the curriculum; facilitating employability workshops, and collaborating with colleagues to embed directed, collaborative, and guided career learning activities into course content within the University's virtual learning platform.
Careers adviser
David Whistance
david.whistance@solent.ac.uk
023 8201 6001
Before joining Solent Futures, I enjoyed working as a careers adviser in places such as the University of Southampton, University of the Creative Arts, and National Careers Service. I also provide counselling to people who live in and around Southampton (and further afield over video) and run creative counselling workshops for trainee and experienced therapists.
While I’m particularly proud of leading on projects such as developing Future Me, our holistic career learning resource, creating this would not have been possible without help from my fantastic colleagues within Solent Futures, Solent Creatives, and the wider University.
How I help students
Are you confused about what to do after uni, or have a plan but keep hitting problems along the way? If so, my careers adviser colleagues, Jude and Victoria, like me, would love to meet you for confidential and impartial discussions to help you sort through your career issues on your way to creating a great career.
Help desk and student engagement
Student employability adviser
Kelsey Killoran
Professional background
Having graduated with a 2:1 in History, I left university not knowing what I wanted to do next. I initially worked in insurance and pensions (which was not really the best fit for me) before moving into local government recruitment where I worked up to the role of recruitment adviser. I now put my years as a recruitment professional to good use supporting students via our virtual appointments, on our drop in desk, and through workshops and interactive sessions.
How I help students
I really enjoy meeting with Solent students and helping you to realise all the wonderful skills you have gained as part of your degree and how you can apply them to the world of work.
Student employability adviser
Mhairi MacMillan
Professional background
My career to date has been really varied and I have worked in different industries in different roles that span from recruitment to marketing. Each role has given me the opportunity to develop different skill sets and has enabled me to keep evolving and learning, which I love.
How I help students
My passion for helping and supporting people led me to Solent University and I use my knowledgebase and experience to provide students with a broad range of employability support, hopefully helping them in their journey to understand, realise and work towards their career goals. It’s the best part of our job to feel like we have had a positive impact on shaping who our Solent students become during their time here, and also once they graduate.
Student employability adviser
Ruhina Noory
Professional background
My passion has always been to work with other people to help them reach their potential. After graduating from a Psychology (Education) degree, I had the opportunity to work with our wonderful students. I started working as an enterprise project co-ordinator, providing invaluable enterprise advice and support encouraging students to embrace enterprise activities to improve their experience while they are at university. I then had the role of student employability adviser, delivering employability group and 1-2-1 information, advice and training to the students and recent graduates. I have recently completed a Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management, which introduced me to the roles and responsibilities of managers and leaders, and strengthen my leadership and business skills.
How I help students
I work directly with the students and recent graduates both online and in person though 1-2-1 meetings and delivering central careers workshops, providing careers information and advice on CVs and job application process, finding work, start-ups, placements and graduate work. The experience of working in higher education in the last five years combined with my psychology background, has immensely helped me to learn more about myself and others. I guide students towards greater self-awareness and encourage communication to support and motivate them in their career journeys.
Linking with employers and developing online resources
Employer projects co-ordinator
Liz Wright
Employer engagement adviser
James Hamstead