Risk Management students wins Best Third Year Student after one year of studying as a direct entrant

A Risk Management student is about to start her final year of university on a high - after being selected as Best Third Year Student from her programme.

Third year Risk Management student Isla Tasker was delighted to have been presented the ‘Best Third Year Student’ award, after only starting university that year as a direct entrant.

Now with a spring in her step, Isla is ready to take on the challenges that fourth year has to bring. She said: “I am thrilled to have won the award. Being a direct entrant into third year from college was hard work and I am glad that the work has paid off.   

I had a gap between college and university due to personal circumstance and the pandemic too, so it was great to get this award after all the uncertainty and worry.”

Looking back on her third year, Isla spoke of the opportunities to complete modules that have helped broaden her knowledge of different elements within Risk Management. She said: “My favourite module was definitely Business Continuity Management & Planning. There was a lot of content, but it was all fascinating as it related to real-world situations.  

It was a take on risk management I definitely enjoyed - identifying contingencies and solutions post risk event, rather than minimisation or avoidance of risks. I took away that you might be hit by a risk you hadn't ever anticipated but if you have procedures established prior you can use these to resume operations. I also really enjoyed the Intro to Data Analytics module which was very difficult but interesting when I got my head round it! It will definitely be useful for my dissertation research and future career.”

Now about to start her final year, Isla has felt that this award has given her the motivation she needs to complete her time at university. She said: “The award has definitely boosted my confidence. I passed everything in third year well, so now I have real evidence I belong and can succeed at university.

Fourth year seems very intimidating right now, but so did third year last year, and I've proven to myself that if I work hard and put the time in, I can succeed. So I just need to do that again!”

By Rachael McAlonan

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