In March this year, 15 students travelled to the Australian Gold Coast to volunteer at the 2018 Commonwealth Games. Part funded by the Hallam Fund, the Commonwealth Games Volunteer Bursary paid for travel and accommodation costs and enabled participants to volunteer at one of the largest and most prestigious international sporting events in the world.

As a result of this opportunity, Sheffield Hallam students have gained a significant jumpstart to their career by strengthening their professional networks and skills. Adam Migdalski, who has recently completed an MSc in Applied Sport and Exercise Science, worked on the Games as a 'Flash Quote Reporter'. In this role, he was responsible for researching elite athletes, collating quick-fire questions and conducting interviews after the game, picking out the best quotes for news outlets to use.

For Adam, working on the Games greatly improved his communication and organisation skills, and also boosted his confidence.

'Going up to elite athletes, you're not really sure what to expect and you're not sure how to act. But looking back to the interviews I did on day one compared to the interviews I was doing on the final day, they're poles apart.

'It was probably the best few weeks in my life. If anyone else was given the opportunity, I would say don't give it a second thought, go out there and experience it. Get stuck in and do everything you can while you're out there because if you don't then you might regret it.'

Donations to the Hallam Fund are opening up amazing opportunities like these and making a huge impact to the lives of students. If you would like to find out more, please visit our Opportunity Bursary pages.