University of Portsmouth Event Features Insights on Overcoming Challenges

Students Learn Resilience from Industry Experts and Medical Pioneers

The University of Portsmouth, located in England, offers a broad range of academic disciplines across its five faculties and has nearly 28,280 students enrolled in undergraduate and postgraduate programs. The university has a strong sense of community and mainly focuses on research and innovation. Recently, the University's Careers and Employability Service and Students' Union organised a Minor Setback, Major Comeback, hosted by Karen Blackett OBE, the University's Chancellor and former President of WPP UK.

The panel included Tim Campbell MBE, the first-ever winner of BBC’s The Apprentice, who is now a successful entrepreneur and mentor; Nishma Patel Robb, the founder and CEO of The Glittersphere, a platform empowering women through personal branding, reinvention, community, and storytelling; Dr. Tevin Tobun, the CEO of GV Group, passionate about social mobility and sustainable business practices; and Dr. Samantha Tross, one of the UK’s leading orthopedic surgeons and a strong advocate for diversity in medicine.

During Black History Month, an event allowed students to hear firsthand how panel members from the People of Global Majority (PGM) community overcame setbacks and turned challenges into triumphs. The evening featured inspiring stories from accomplished individuals who shared their experiences with honesty and humor. The audience was introduced to resilience, the ability to adapt and thrive in adversity. Resilience is about recovering from setbacks and building the strength to move forward with renewed purpose and determination. The discussion also underlined the importance of cultivating a mindset that views challenges as opportunities for growth and learning.

Karen recounted a personal setback that nearly ended her career. As a business director, she faced rejection from clients who did not want a female, let alone a Black, director. This hurtful experience felt deeply personal and almost made her give up. However, she drew on her resilience and support network to overcome it. Embracing a Buddhist philosophy that taught her to let go of anger, Karen focused on those who valued her work. She credited her "amazing cheerleaders" for motivating her during tough times.

Tim shared practical steps for maintaining the right mindset to overcome obstacles. He writes down his feelings and recounts events to process them more clearly, removing emotion from the situation. This helps him focus on addressing challenges. Tim believes resilience involves looking inward and having confidence in oneself. Samantha emphasized the importance of self-awareness and recognizing one's worth in setting boundaries and exiting counterproductive situations. She explained that an event is neutral until meaning is attached to it, highlighting that individuals can control their responses and should avoid relinquishing that power. Both Tim and Samantha stressed self-validation. Tim advised focusing on self-validation rather than seeking external approval, while Samantha recommended reframing failure as an opportunity for growth rather than a setback.

Nishma emphasized the importance of self-awareness in determining the right steps in both professional and personal life. She likened life to a series of music albums, each representing different chapters of one's journey. While it is natural to think about "what’s next" or "what’s right," she advised that it is crucial to ensure that our aspirations align with our true selves, urging, "Dream big, always, but dream honestly as well."She noted that understanding oneself provides the confidence needed to build resilience. Yvonne Howard, the University's Director of Student Racial and Equity, highlighted the resources and events available for PGM students. She emphasized that a key objective of the University's Access and Participation Plan is to reduce the progression gap for PGM students as they enter the job market. The insights from accomplished individuals surely inspire students to persevere through their challenges. This event shows the importance of resilience, teaching students to adapt and thrive in adversity, a crucial skill for personal and professional success.

Editor’s Note:

After graduating from university, students may land positions at top companies but often need preparation for real-world challenges. Events like "Minor Setback, Major Comeback" provide valuable life lessons that help bridge this gap, and prepare students for career success and personal growth.
Through these events, students gain insights from accomplished individuals who have overcome significant challenges by focusing on inner strength, self-validation, and cultivating a positive mindset. These stories inspire students, helping them realize that setbacks and struggles are a natural part of life. With determination and a positive outlook, they can overcome any obstacle.

Skoobuzz highly appreciates the University of Portsmouth’s efforts in guiding students toward a new direction in their thinking, helping them understand the importance of resilience, and showing them the right way to approach life.