Many of our featured students over the years have already started to prove themselves to be pioneers in their field, despite not even graduating yet, including in their early forays into the world of work during internships or gap years.

It was during a gap year that Amy landed a job as an external relations officer with the Department for Work and Pensions. Over a period of weeks she came to realise that the process for managing Access to Work applications for benefit claimants with disabilities was not working well.

While there was a wealth of information available to guide case workers on how to handle individual issues, it was complex and hard to navigate – and there were mistakes being made.

“It was quite alarming,” she says.

Amazingly, the then 18-year-old came up with a solution: creating an interactive online guide that allowed case workers to refer their clients quickly to the right Access to Work package.

In a further display of resourcefulness and determination, through networking, she got the opportunity to pitch the idea to the then Minister of State for Disabled People, Penny Mordaunt, who authorised for Amy’s guide to be rolled out nationwide – to approximately 2.3 million people.

And if that wasn’t enough, the further impact of this guide was that it contributed to DWP’s objective of developing the digital capabilities of their staff.

“That was just such a fulfilling experience, to be able to see a problem and work to help to resolve it,” she says.

This year Amy was the speakers’ curator for TedxCambridge 2019. Her role involved selecting and inviting speakers to the main conference, communicating with and responding to speakers’ enquiries, vetting drafts and ensuring speakers’ talks adhered to the TEDx guidelines, and helping to oversee and arrange the talks of invited guests, including Tiara Sahar Ataii, founder of student-led refugee charity SolidariTee.

Amy is co-president of a women’s society which focuses on creating a Christ-centred community for women to discuss a wide array of topics. Her position involves facilitating weekly sessions and organising their mentorship scheme. Since she joined the leadership team, there has been an increase of 50 subscribed members, a significant increase from the previous 30.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Directing my own consulting firm, specialising in education and working closely with the Ghanaian government.