Dominika Kalinowska

Dominika Kalinowska

MSc Consumer Psychology 2020

1. Tell us about yourself
Hello! My name is Dominika Kalinowska, and in 2020, I graduated from ARU Cambridge. I came to the UK to study in 2016, and completed my BSc in Psychology at the University of Bedfordshire. I greatly enjoyed my time at Cambridge and gained qualifications that helped me stand out from the crowd

During my Masters, I created a YouTube channel to promote ARU and studying at universities in the UK, and currently, I have almost 50,000 views across my channel! I now work as an Applicant Engagement Manager at Cranfield University, where I work with Student Ambassadors on a variety of different projects.

2. What is your fondest memory of Anglia Ruskin University?
My greatest memories from ARU are mainly around the student house where I was living, the people I met there, our cosy nights, BBQs, music evenings, and going out. I enjoyed living in student accommodation.

3. What has been your favourite job?
During my studies, I worked part-time for the Cambridge University Press as a Conference Assistant. It was my favourite job, full of amazing people, supporting colleagues, and lots of free tea and biscuits! 😊

4. In one word, how would you describe Anglia Ruskin University?
International.

5. How did your time at ARU help you?
I not only gained a rare degree but also got amazing work experience at Cambridge University Press. As I mentioned before, this time also inspired me to start my YouTube channel, and I truly felt very creative during my time in Cambridge.

6. What did you love about your chosen course?
Consumer Psychology is a very universal, but interesting course. It gives you a bit of everything, from psychology and statistics to advertising and marketing. I was interested in all of these subjects, so the decision to start the course came very easily to me.

7. What advice would you give to current students as they’re preparing to graduate?
Enjoy the last bits of student life. This is really the greatest time in your life. During my studies, I struggled with my mental and physical health, but it still was the best time of my life so far. Ups and downs will always happen, but I believe it is all about your mindset.

Also, prepare yourself for the current job market; gain practical experience, make use of ARU Temps and the Employability team at the university, improve your CV, plan your next steps after graduating. This will help you to feel less stressed and lost. Think ahead and have a plan.

8. What do you know now that you wish you had known whilst studying?
I would have liked someone to tell me that at the end of the day, grades are not that important. It is the experience and the practical knowledge you take away that matters. You will probably forget a lot of the things you have learned in lectures, but you will never forget the practical experience.

9. Who was the biggest influence on your career?
Sarah Glover, the founder of Born to be Beautiful charity in Cambridge, has had the most influence on me. During my studies, I signed up to be a volunteer with her charity, working on marketing and video making and she was such an inspiration - an amazing woman, strong and fearless. I looked up to her a lot when at times, I was struggling during my studies.

10. What advice would you give your younger self?
You will go through it all. No matter how much you are struggling right now, it will only make you stronger. Just keep going.

11. Tell us something about yourself that most people don’t know.
I used to sneak in to the music room with my friends who were studying music to play on a grand piano! Two of my YouTube videos were recorded there 😊 When I finally got my access to the room, the pandemic happened, and we never came back to campus again…

12. What’s next?
Let's wait and see. I have some plans, but for now, I am learning new skills, discovering myself, learning life, and healing.