Agnieszka Grzegorczyk

Current Employer/Organisation Name

Devon County Council

What have you been doing since leaving Exeter, and what are you doing now?

After completing my Master’s degree, I undertook a graduate internship at the University of Exeter, working within the Widening Participation team. I then joined Impact: The Local Government Graduate Programme, a two-year graduate scheme that involved placements at East Devon District Council across HR, social housing, and major projects. Alongside these placements, I completed a Chartered Management Institute (CMI) Level 7 Certificate in Strategic Management and Leadership Practice.

More recently, I joined Devon County Council as a Programme and Project Officer, supporting a programme focused on children’s social care and helping deliver projects that benefit children and young people across Devon.

Why did you choose this career? And what do you enjoy most about your work?

I came across Impact while exploring career options on the Prospects website. The more I learned about it during the recruitment process, the more I felt that local government was the right fit for me. I especially liked the fact that you can see the impact of your work directly in the communities you support.

My placements at East Devon District Council gave me a strong foundation in project management, so moving into a project-focused role felt like a natural next step. I really enjoy the variety that comes with working across different services and programmes, as it means I am constantly learning new things.

Please tell us if you were a member of any societies, groups or sports clubs?

I was involved in a wide range of societies during my time at Exeter. I served as Publicity Officer for both His Dark Materials Society and Slow Food on Campus Society. I was also a member of the Board Games Society, Vegetarian Society, Travel Society and Out of Doors Society.

During my Master’s degree, I joined the badminton club and attended many postgraduate society events.

What did you enjoy most about your programme and what was the biggest highlight?

One of the things I enjoyed most about studying social sciences at Exeter was the flexibility of the degree. Each year I chose a mix of modules that both reflected my existing interests and challenged me to explore subjects that were completely new to me.

A particular highlight was working on my undergraduate dissertation, which explored perceptions of national identity amongst Polish students living in the UK. Conducting interviews allowed me to engage directly with a topic I was passionate about while developing valuable research skills.

What did you most enjoy about studying here?

I loved being involved in so many societies and meeting people through both my course and extracurricular activities. Many of the friendships I formed at Exeter remain some of my closest ones to date.

I also enjoyed Exeter’s location, with easy access to great hiking routes, the coast, and other day trip opportunities.

Why did you choose to study at Exeter?

My decision was largely influenced by Exeter’s ranking in Sociology at the time, as I was unable to visit universities in person. However, I still haven’t found a place in the UK that I like better, so I definitely made the right choice.

What skills and experiences have been most useful for your career?

Many of the skills I developed at Exeter have been incredibly useful in my career so far. Working as a Student Ambassador helped me become more confident in communicating with different audiences and presenting information clearly. These skills are especially important in project work, where I often need to engage with a wide range of stakeholders.

My degree also helped me develop strong critical thinking and writing skills through essays, research projects, and dissertations. These have been particularly valuable in my current role, as I regularly need to understand information quickly and produce clear reports or written updates, sometimes at short notice.

What advice would you give to a current student who wishes to pursue your career?

Take every opportunity to get involved in activities beyond your studies, whether through societies, volunteering, or part-time work.

In my initial job interviews, I have largely drawn on examples from extracurricular activities rather than academic work alone. These experiences helped me develop practical skills and demonstrate initiative.

I still follow the same approach today by getting involved in staff networks and taking up training and development opportunities whenever I can. Being proactive and willing to learn can make a real difference when you are building experience and developing within a role.

What are your plans for the future?

I would like to continue working in local government and complete a project management apprenticeship or qualification to help me develop further in my career.