Congratulations to Peter Otto, Sabrina Abdow and Rohia Jallow who were named finalists in the Black Heritage and Female Undergraduate of the Year Awards hosted by targetjobs UK.
The Undergraduate of the Year Awards is a national competition that aims to find and celebrate the brightest undergraduates in the UK.
Students nominate themselves and go through three rounds of a competitive application process including essay questions, online tests, and an in-person assessment with the award partner.
Each award is partnered with prestigious graduate recruiters who provide a prize for the winner such as a paid internship, a trip abroad, mentoring opportunities and other exclusive opportunities.
Meet our outstanding student finalists:
- Peter Otto (BSc, Finance) - Finalist for the Black Heritage Undergraduate of the Year Award.
- Sabrina Abdow (BSc (Hons) International Political Economy) - Finalist for the Black Heritage Undergraduate of the Year Award.
- Rohia Jallow (BSc Economics and Econometrics) - Finalist for the Female Undergraduate of the Year Award.
The Black Heritage Undergraduate of the Year Award, sponsored by Sky, seeks to recognise outstanding students who drive positive change in their communities, break down barriers, leave a legacy, and excel in their fields.
Peter Otto is breaking barriers for young people in the community.
Peter Otto (BSc, Finance) is a final year student at City St George's. Peter is also a Senior Widening Participation Student Ambassador, a Pro-bono consultant for BLK Consulting, and a Tutor who teaches Mathematics and Business alongside his studies. Peter was named a finalist for the 2024 Black Heritage Undergraduate of the Year Awards.
Peter applied after reflecting on the impactful projects he organised this year and realised his efforts aligned with the award criteria. He said:
"I believe what set me apart from other applicants was my commitment to supporting young people and delivering on many project initiatives.
"I feel most of my application value was highlighted by what I did outside my studies, going above and beyond to drive change mainly through extra-curriculars and volunteering.
"The Widening Participation team at City St George's has helped by giving me a platform to develop my interpersonal skills and design the initiatives I bring to young people when I work with students and schools.
"Being someone who comes from an underrepresented background, particularly being neurodiverse and from Black heritage, I recognised not everyone has equal access and opportunity to top careers and universities.
"I want to support others who face similar barriers to me growing up and ensure they are best prepared for navigating school and potential career pathways."
Peter shares advice to fellow students who are interested in applying: “Maximise your opportunities by getting involved in extra-curriculars and leadership roles at University."
Peter recently represented City St George’s in the BUCS Indoor Championships at the 1500m and is now running the London Marathon to raise funds for Oasis Community Learning, helping children and their families get financial support they need to thrive at school.
Sabrina Abdow is empowering young people and championing social impact.
Sabrina Abdow (BSc (Hons) International Political Economy) is a second year student at City St George's. Alongside her studies, Sabrina is also a Global Youth Ambassador for TheirWorld, a mentor for CityBuddies, Debate Mate and a Programme Representative. Additionally, she is a member of the Wandsworth Youth Council and works as a Student Communications Assistant and a Widening Participation Ambassador. Sabrina was named a Finalist for the 2024 Black Heritage Undergraduate of the Year Awards.
Reflecting on what motivated her to apply for the awards, Sabrina shared:
"I was inspired by the personal development aspect and the opportunity to make a bigger impact on society by advocating for causes I believe in. The recognition and career advancement aspects also aligned with my goals.
“I believe my experiences at City St George's have significantly contributed to my nomination as a finalist. I have several roles at University, such as being a Programme Representative, a Global Opportunities Ambassador, a Widening Participation Ambassador, and a CityBuddies mentor.
"I utilised these experiences in my application and spoke about how I've made an impact in the City St George's community from breaking down barriers to higher education to mentoring students to making course-related improvements.
When asked about advice she would give to fellow students interested in applying for the awards, she said:
“Simply go for it! Leverage your unique experiences and achievements to tell your story. Do your research, practice assessments, and seek feedback to refine your application.
"I made sure to take the time to self-reflect and do a lot of research, such as asking previous winners about their preparation. I attended webinars hosted by targetjobs with useful tips, and reviewed the award partner's website, Sky, to see how their values aligned with mine."
Rohia Jallow is excelling in her chosen field, earning a Rolls-Royce internship.
Rohia Jallow (BSc, Economics and Econometrics) is a second year student at City St George's with a range of interests in finance, technology, and sustainability. Rohia was named a finalist for The Female Undergraduate of the Year Award, sponsored by Rolls Royce. This category celebrates exceptional female students demonstrating strong leadership potential and academic excellence.
Sharing what motivated her to apply for the award, Rohia said:
“I saw it as a challenge to test how far I could push myself, especially considering the amazing companies where you have the opportunity to intern at.
"I gained valuable experience throughout the national competition, which has opened many doors for me. I had the opportunity to meet numerous ambitious individuals and I was offered a summer internship tailored to my interests, helping me reach my future goals."
Rohia shares a top tip for time management: "I usually balance my time by setting achievable goals for my academic work, extracurricular activities, and job responsibilities. I try to stay realistic about what I can accomplish within a given timeframe to avoid overcommitting."
Rohia’s advice to other students aspiring to apply for the Awards:
“Don't hesitate to apply or worry so much about failure. Choose the category most aligned with you to give yourself the ability to be confident instead of comparing yourself to others.
"You never know what your achievements amount to. Who knows? You could become the next finalist or winner."
How City St George's Careers and Employability team is supporting students to thrive.
Deputy Director of Careers and Employability, Helen Kempster shared:
“It's fantastic news to hear that Sabrina, Rohia, and Peter have been recognised in this way and we are very proud of their achievements.
"The fact that three City St George's students made it to the finals of these national awards is a testament to the students themselves and the support they have received at University.
"These finalists took advantage of many of these Career opportunities; for example Sabrina was a CityBuddies mentor and Rohia took part in a Micro-Placement as part of her programme.
"All undergraduate students at City St George's will have the opportunity to undertake professional experience as part of their programme, due to our Career Activation Programme.
"We host employer events for networking and sector insights, offer temporary work opportunities through Unitemps, and provide professional mentoring. Students can book one-to-one appointments with our Careers Consultants for individual advice and access Careers Hub for more resources. You can find us in the Student Centre, and later this year we'll be moving into the new Student Gateway space.”
Peter, Sabrina and Rohia's achievements showcase the outcomes that can be achieved with City' St George's support, setting a strong foundation for their future career goals.
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