The Student Success Endowment: Clifford

Since graduating from NTU in the summer, I’ve thrown myself into developing my skills and exploring the next steps in my journey. I took part in the Skills City Bootcamp, which was suggested to me by my tutor, followed by a Game Academy programme involving industry representatives. Through this, I was able to take part in a freelance level design project with CGHERO, which gave me valuable real-world experience. My favourite part of this period was meeting people in the industry, working collaboratively, and getting to see ideas grow into real outcomes. I began building projects for my portfolio too, although financial pressures at home meant I eventually had to pause this work and find employment quickly.

Looking back on my time at NTU, I’m proud of the confidence I developed in my abilities. I realised after graduating that education alone wasn't enough, I have since realised how significantly my education and the experiences I gained after graduation have helped me to grow as a person. I now feel better prepared for the roles I hope to take and the SSE played a major part in my student journey. It helped me upgrade my hardware to meet industry standards and allowed me to focus on my studies without the constant worry of how to afford essential equipment. This funding eased financial stress, supported my wellbeing, and gave me the freedom to attend events and keep developing creatively. The tools I gained still support my early career today and will continue to for years to come.

My short-term aim is to finish my portfolio and secure a role in the gaming industry, and in the long term I hope to one day oversee a project of my own.
To donors to the Student Success Endowment, I want to say a sincere thank you. Your support truly makes a difference, and to anyone considering donating, please do – a helping hand is always deeply appreciated.