UA+case+study+-+Bonnie+Hacking

University Adviser Case Study:

Bonnie, University of St Andrews
Name: Bonnie Hacking
University: University of St Andrews
Job Title: Enterprise Adviser, Careers Centre
Why did you join Enactus?
It only takes a spark to light a forest fire. I believe it is the same with
enterprise. If we want to ignite the enterprising spark in our students, we
must be a strong community of educators, actively supporting a range of
programmes and opportunities, designed to help individuals realise their
potential and make a difference – regardless of their degree discipline or
career aspirations. Enactus is recognised worldwide as driver of social change through

entrepreneurial action, so when a couple of keen, enthusiastic students approached me about
getting an Enactus team going in St Andrews and asked me if I would be the University Adviser (UA),
I said a resounding ‘YES’!
What has been your Enactus highlight this year?
2015-16 was our second year with Enactus and it’s been great to see the team maturing, learning
from each other and enthusiastically working on several projects. One of our projects,
employABILITY, is helping individuals with disabilities gain skills and access opportunities to make
them more employable. It was a privilege to make greetings cards with the project’s beneficiaries
and team members. While this may seem a small thing, it was a huge step for beneficiaries who feel
awkward in social situations and lack the confidence to meet and speak with new people. The team
had clearly understood the needs of their beneficiaries and were mature in the way they dealt with
and supported them during the session. Beneficiaries said they enjoyed it and it has helped their

confidence. It was a humbling experience for me!
How do you engage with Enactus students?
As a University Adviser, I see my role as being supportive, encouraging and a conduit to other people
in the university or my wider network. I try to attend as many meetings as I can, from committee
meetings, to Enactus evenings, to project team meetings. I also meet regularly with the Enactus
Team Leader to coach him in leadership skills, to discuss progress and the support I can give. I have
an open door to project team members and have met with several of them to help shape the project
and develop some ideas on how to progress with it and make it sustainable.
One important aspect of my work as a UA has been to lobby for financial support for those attending
the training weekend, regional competition and National competition. I also supported the team in
preparing for competition by attending rehearsals and giving feedback. I attended both regionals
and Nationals to provide moral support and encouragement! I greatly enjoy meeting Enactus

students from other universities and hearing about what they are doing and would strongly
encourage every UA to attend regionals and Nationals.
How has Enactus helped you with your personal and/or professional development?
Being the UA for Enactus St Andrews has reconnected me with why I do what I do and helped me
hone my skills in working with a variety of people. The role of UA is a fine balance of questioning,
encouraging and sharing your experience without undermining the ownership and enthusiasm of the
team. It’s important to be positive and encouraging, but also realistic and practical. I’ve had to


reflect on my own strengths and weaknesses, identifying the best way to encourage and work with
individuals on the committee, who have their own strengths and weaknesses! In addition to
personal development, I’ve learned more about social enterprise and what it takes to start, grow

and sustain one.
What are the next steps for you?
For 2016-17, I’m keen to work with the committee and project teams to consolidate and build on the
success of our first two years with Enactus. With the committee, I’ll be encouraging them to take a
longer term, strategic view of the next two to three years. I’ll be getting them to consider where
they’d like Enactus St Andrews to be by then and what they’ll need to do or put in place to make
that happen. Not an easy task, as some of them will have joined the Enactus Alumni community by
then. With the project teams, the focus will be on being realistic about growth potential and
sustainability. I’m also keen to support the UA community, as we are an important part of the
continuity of Enactus teams in our respective universities.
What would you say to a University considering getting involved with Enactus?
In 2015-16, teams invested nearly 200,000 hours in Enactus projects: improving the lives of more

than 50,000 people in the UK and abroad, building new enterprises, and creating jobs. Why
wouldn’t your university want to be part of that? (Request a copy of Enactus UK’s latest Annual
Report for further statistics.)
If that doesn’t convince you, take a look at the range of corporate and organisation partners that
support Enactus (more than 30 of them). They aren’t just logos on a website. Throughout the year,
they provide business advisers to work with and support Enactus project teams and provide various
funding awards to support the work of Enactus projects. At UK National Competition,
representatives from all of these partners were part of the 100+ strong team that judged the
presentations. They took part in a careers fair at the event to promote their employment
opportunities to the students attending. Participation in Enactus increases the likelihood a student
will be hired by up to 85%! So in addition to supporting students to make a difference and bring
about social change, you’ll be enabling them to improve their employability. Why wouldn’t your

university want to do that?
What would you say to a colleague considering getting involved with Enactus?
DO IT!!! If you want to be inspired, challenged and refreshed by the energy and passion of a group
of committed, caring students – this is your chance. You’ll be surprised by how easy it is to support
them and how much you get in return. Get in touch with me if you want to know more.