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We want to establish YP Leeds because we believe that access to professional opportunities should be shaped by a student's potential and curiosity rather than their degree, background or existing connections.

Although university provides excellent academic opportunities, navigating career choices, internships and professional networks can be daunting, particularly for students without established industry connections. We want to make that process more accessible through genuine conversations, practical experiences and a supportive community where students feel confident exploring unfamiliar career paths.

My personal motivation for establishing YP Leeds as President comes from recognising how valuable early professional exposure can be. I have developed a LinkedIn network of over 10,000 followers, connecting with individuals across different sectors and career stages so rather than allowing these experiences and connections to benefit only my own development, I wanted to use them to open doors for other students, particularly those who may not have access to similar opportunities or know where to begin.

Importantly, YP Leeds is already more than an idea.

Since establishing our Leeds committee, we have organised two online law-focused speaker sessions, featuring professionals with experience at DWF and Ison Harrison and delivered an in-person visit to Innovation Fire Engineering in Headingley on 21 October. We also have a programme of incoming future opportunities this semester involving professionals from organisations including EY, PwC, Aon, Redmayne Bentley, J.P. Morgan, Flint Bishop and Walker Morris.

Beyond online sessions, we are progressing further workplace experiences/office visits with organisations including Schofield Sweeney and Curtins, demonstrating our commitment to providing practical industry exposure alongside traditional career conversations. Our wider social media and student network also has a following of over 2500, providing an established platform for outreach and engagement.

Our connection to the wider Young Professionals initiative provides an additional foundation. Its 2026 university leadership recruitment process attracted over 200 applications from 66 universities, reflecting the wider interest in student-led professional development. However, our priority is to build a genuinely student-led Leeds community, with local members and committee representatives shaping our programme.

Our distinctive contribution is connecting industries, students and existing university communities.

We recognise that Leeds already has excellent academic and career-focused societies. Rather than duplicate their work, we want to complement them by connecting students across degree backgrounds and encouraging exploration beyond traditional academic specialisms.

We are developing collaborative opportunities with LUUTIS, particularly around financial services employer engagement and Women in Leadership Society (WILS) including legal career insights. We have also explored collaborations with Economics Society and other student groups, spanning professional events and social activities. Through these partnerships, we aim to contribute to the wider LUU community rather than operate in isolation.

Crucially, our vision extends beyond employability. We want YP Leeds to be somewhere students build friendships, exchange experiences and develop a sense of belonging. Alongside employer-focused activities, we plan to introduce informal networking evenings, accessible socials and cross-society gatherings, allowing students from different academic backgrounds to connect in a relaxed environment.

Official LUU recognition would help us develop these foundations into a sustainable society.

Access to university spaces, committee training and established society procedures would strengthen our ability to organise accessible events, engage students and maintain appropriate governance. Our core programme is financially practical with online talks, peer-led workshops and collaborative activities requiring minimal funding.

We also recognise that the society must not depend on my personal network or the current committee. We intend to establish clear committee responsibilities, document employer relationships and event processes, introduce structured handovers and create leadership opportunities for newer members. Student feedback and participation would guide our activities, helping us prioritise meaningful engagement over simply organising more events.

Ultimately, we want YP Leeds to become a lasting part of student life and somewhere a student without professional connections can discover an unexpected career, develop confidence, form friendships and eventually help others do the same.

We have already demonstrated our commitment to creating these opportunities. Becoming an official LUU society would allow us to build on that momentum and create something that future generations of Leeds students can continue to benefit from.