BWP aims to uplift and give a voice to Black Women in higher education. As a committee member, Funmi wanted to be a part creating a positive impact for black women at the university.
She was a social media and publicity officer and was able to use previous knowledge from her Fashion Marketing with Management degree, as well as gain new skills and great experience.
One of the proudest achievements of her time with BWP was helping to organise a Black History Month Gala. She worked on promotion, catering and logistics.
Choosing Southampton
Funmi chose Southampton because of the breadth of the Fashion Marketing programme.
She said: “All the topics that would be covered really excited me. I liked the fact that I hadn't covered some of the topics before, so I would have the opportunity to learn new things and broaden my skills.”
Since starting her course, Funmi has immersed herself in university life. Alongside her role in BWP, she has also served as a Student Ambassador and committee member of African and Caribbean Society (ACS) netball society.
She also joined a two-week volunteer summer school programme in Morocco through the University. Organised by Travelteer, the programme enables students to support communities in Sri Lanka, Nepal, Morocco and Vietnam through education, agriculture and infrastructure projects.
Based in the Atlas Mountains, Funmi helped out at summer schools and says the experience helped her break out of her shell.
“It’s something I have never done before. I was interacting with people I’d never met before and I also travelled solo for the first time which was really cool. This experience will help me to be more open to trying new things and not being afraid to put myself out there,” she added.
My time at Southampton has pushed me to try new things, meet new people and become more confident in myself.
Funmi, BA Fashion Marketing and Management
Looking back and looking forwards
Funmi says she has grown into a much more confident person during her studies at Southampton. She has really enjoyed her time so far and says the lecturers are great and have really pushed her to do her best.
She said: “My time at Southampton has pushed me to try new things, meet new people and become more confident in myself. The person I was before university and the person I am now are very different. I’m a lot more confident now.”
Funmi is now deciding what her next step may be and hopes to either do a master’s in market research and consumer behaviour, or something related to artificial intelligence in the marketplace.
Her advice to new students is: “Be yourself. Everyone is coming from all sorts of backgrounds and communities. Be yourself and you will find your people. Also be open to trying new things and building good relationships with your lecturers."