Volunteering at the university fair organised at my school gave me an opportunity to contribute to an event that helped students explore higher education opportunities. Universities from different institutions visited the school to provide information and guidance to students and their families. My responsibilities included welcoming participants, parents, guests, and university representatives, helping set up the registration desk, distributing name tags and event programmes, providing maps, and answering general questions about the venue and schedule. I also attended a volunteer briefing to understand my responsibilities and the event’s arrangements. Through this experience, I developed my communication, organisational, and interpersonal skills while contributing to a welcoming environment for attendees.

LO1 – Identify own strengths and develop areas for growth

This experience helped me recognise my strengths in communication, organisation, and interacting with different people. Welcoming guests and answering their questions required me to communicate politely and provide information clearly. At the same time, I realised that I could continue improving my confidence when interacting with unfamiliar people and responding to questions efficiently. Reflecting on my responsibilities helped me identify areas in which I could become more effective in future events.

LO2 – Demonstrate that challenges have been undertaken, developing new skills

The university fair allowed me to develop practical skills in welcoming visitors, managing registration materials, and guiding attendees around the venue. I learnt how to communicate information clearly and respond appropriately to general questions about session timings, locations, and participating universities. These responsibilities required me to pay attention to details and adapt to the needs of different attendees. The experience helped me apply my communication skills in a real-world setting and develop a better understanding of event support.

LO3 – Demonstrate how to initiate and plan a CAS experience

I attended a volunteer briefing to understand the event schedule, the responsibilities of each volunteer, and the overall flow of the university fair. I also helped set up the registration desk by arranging name tags, event programmes, and other materials required for attendees. Familiarising myself with the venue layout and the participating universities enabled me to guide visitors more effectively throughout the event. This experience demonstrated how preparation, organisation, and understanding assigned responsibilities contribute to the successful execution of an event.

LO5 – Demonstrate the skills and recognise the benefits of working collaboratively

The university fair required volunteers to work together to support attendees and ensure that the event proceeded smoothly. I coordinated with other volunteers while preparing the registration desk, welcoming guests, and helping visitors find the appropriate locations. Working as part of a team showed me the importance of clear communication, cooperation, and fulfilling individual responsibilities. I also recognised that teamwork makes it easier to respond to the needs of a large number of attendees.

LO6 – Demonstrate engagement with issues of global significance

The university fair highlighted the importance of access to information about higher education. Interacting with representatives from different universities helped me understand how educational institutions support students with different interests and aspirations. I also recognised that access to accurate information and guidance can help students make informed decisions about their futures. This experience increased my awareness of Sustainable Development Goal 4 (Quality Education) and the importance of providing students with opportunities to explore different educational pathways.

LO7 – Recognise and consider the ethics of choices and actions

While volunteering, I understood the importance of being responsible, respectful, and helpful when interacting with attendees. Providing accurate information, directing visitors appropriately, and treating everyone politely were important parts of my role. I recognised that even small mistakes or unclear instructions could cause confusion for participants. This experience reinforced the importance of taking responsibility for my actions and ensuring that my contribution was helpful to others.

Learner Profile Attributes

This experience helped me develop as a Communicator by interacting with students, parents, guests, and university representatives. I demonstrated the qualities of a Principled learner by taking responsibility for my assigned duties and aiming to provide accurate information. I also became more Balanced by managing different responsibilities during the event, and more Reflective by considering how my communication and organisational skills could improve.

Overall, volunteering at the university fair was a useful experience that allowed me to contribute to a school event while strengthening my communication, teamwork, and organisational skills. It helped me understand the importance of preparation and cooperation when supporting a large event. I also gained a greater appreciation for the role that access to higher education information plays in helping students make informed decisions about their futures.