Our Welsh-speaking alumni

Assistant Director, Insight, Policy and Public Affairs, Sport Wales

The reputation of Aberystwyth’s international politics department was, and remains, one that carries weight internationally. I was incredibly keen to be given the chance to study under such high-quality lecturers who were leading thinkers in their fields. Beyond this, the university and town itself really spoke to me. Whilst the department had so many qualities that enticed me to want to study there, the entire experience of Aberystwyth felt special, and I wanted to be part of that.

I loved my time at Aberystwyth and being part of the international politics department. My only regret is that I look back now and think I didn’t make enough of the opportunities, and didn’t engage even more! Yet I still left with a sense of achievement, a changed world view and the practical skills that would set me up for my future career. I forged friendships that lasted a lifetime, and challenging perspectives that tested who I am and would become. It helped me set up networks that I still engage with today, across politics and policy throughout Wales. It also reaffirmed my love of the Welsh language and how that element became embedded in my daily life. Yes, I gained a degree, but in truth more than that, I found out who I am and who I wanted to be.

I left Aberystwyth with a sense of wanting to use my degree and found my way into Welsh politics. I spent 7 years working in politics, including supporting the Welsh Government in a coalition period. However, over time I have discovered and decided that the critical thinking skills that Aberystwyth gave me were better placed in relationship building across political divides. I have spent time in the education sector and today am the Assistant Director for Insight, Policy and Public Affairs at Sport Wales. I love where my career has taken me, utilising the policy development and problem solving strategies that I learnt with my degree, to help shape the future of how sport can contribute to a healthier and prosperous Wales.

Director of Communications and Engagement, Welsh Parliament

It was by pure accident that I came to be studying Politics at Aberystwyth. When I first visited Aberystwyth University, I had decided to study Law. However, when I saw the diversity of courses available in the International Politics Department and the friendly nature of the department and its staff, I changed my mind and followed a degree course in Politics. That was certainly one of the most important decisions I have ever made!

After spending four years in Aberystwyth, I worked for a charity before starting as a researcher with the BBC. The knowledge I had gained during my time in Aberystwyth was essential in getting me that job, and that information on Welsh, British and International Politics has been essential ever since.

On a practical level, I had learnt so much about the National Assembly and that was very important when I worked for S4C2, which was responsible for broadcasting so many of the Assembly’s committees and discussions.

When I became a political correspondent for the BBC, the ability to put events within their historical context was an important tool. Because of the degree programme in Aberystwyth I have the confidence and ability to do so. I am now the Educational Correspondent for BBC Wales during a general election campaign, and my politics degree is more useful than ever!!  I am grateful on a daily basis for that decision I took on my first visit to Aberystwyth University!

Chief Correspondent, Newyddion S4C

After visiting on an open day, there was no doubt in my mind that I wanted to spend three years of my life in Aber and try to gain a degree. I was attracted by the promise of a warm Welsh welcome and plenty of socialising — and my time at the College by the sea did not disappoint. As the oldest department of its kind in the world offering education of the highest standard and the opportunity to study extensively through the medium of Welsh, I enjoyed following a variety of modules during my degree course. I have no doubt that the lectures I attended and the discussions I took part in at various seminars were an important foundation as I pursued a career in journalism. I have been fortunate enough to report extensively on news stories and current affairs around the world - from elections in Wales, France and the United States to civil disorder in Hong Kong and Egypt and wars in Iraq, Afghanistan and Ukraine. Studying at Aberystwyth University's Department of International Politics really helped me understand and interpret complex international issues in my work with ITV Wales and the BBC in recent years. 

Head of Communications, Farmers Union Wales

Does dim dwywaith i’r sgiliau a’r profiadau enillais drwy astudio Hanes a Gwleidyddiaeth Ryngwladol ym Mhrifysgol Aberystwyth fod o fudd sylweddol wrth ddatblygu fy nghymeriad a chyfleoedd gyrfa. Roedd astudio trwy gyfrwng y Gymraeg yn hwb enfawr - gan fy ngalluogi i fagu perthynas agos a chyfeillgar gyda’r staff a chyd-fyfyrwyr.

Yn ogystal â’r addysg academaidd heb ei ail, llwyddais hefyd i elwa ar nifer o brofiadau buddiol, gan gynnwys Gemau Argyfwng enwog yr Adran Wleidyddiaeth Ryngwladol, yn ogystal â chyfnodau o brofiad gwaith gyda busnesau lleol a gwleidyddion amrywiol - a helpodd fireinio sgiliau sydd bellach yn ddefnyddiol yn fy ngwaith bob dydd. Elwais yn fawr hefyd o’r gymdeithas Gymraeg agos a bywiog yn y brifysgol a’r dref, a’r cyfleoedd niferus sy’n deillio o UMCA a chymdeithasau tebyg.

Director: External Relations and Culture, Future Generations Commissioner for Wales

External Relations Manager (Wales), Disasters Emergency Committee

Dewisais i'r Adran Wleidyddiaeth Ryngwladol yn Aberystwyth oherwydd ei enw da. Roedd gwybod y byddai modd i mi wneud modiwlau a seminarau drwy gyfrwng yn Gymraeg yn ffactor bwysig hefyd... heb sôn am gael byw mewn tref mor brydferth ag Aberystwyth.

Fe gefais i brofiad arbennig yn yr adran. Roedd ystod mor eang o fodiwlau ar gael - yr her fwyaf bob mis Medi oedd dethol pa rai i’w dilyn - roedd awydd gen i astudio popeth! Ro’n i’n mwynhau’r seminarau hefyd - y rhai Saesneg am fod yna gyfle i gymysgu gydag ystod eang o bobl o wahanol gefndiroedd, a’r rhai Cymraeg oherwydd ein bod ni mewn grwpiau llai, yn cael trafodaethau dwys a’n herio. Y gorau o’r ddau fyd debyg.
O ran fy ngyrfa.. rhyw lwybr digon troellog fu hynny hyd yma dwi’n onest! Dilyn fy niddordebau wnes i a dethol beth bynnag (a ble bynnag) oedd yn teimlo yn bwysig imi ar y pryd. Cefais gyfleoedd cychwynnol arbennig diolch i’r adran - profiad gwaith dros un haf gyda Aelod Seneddol yn San Steffan, a blwyddyn yn y Senedd Ewropeaidd fel “stagiaire” i Eluned Morgan oedd yn ASE. Sbardunodd y profiad mewn sefydliad amlieithog fi i ddysgu Sbaeneg, a trodd cwrs iaith deufis yn Guatemala i mewn i 8 mlynedd yn America Ladin cyn dychwelyd i Gymru.

Mae gweithio mewn sefydliadau llai yn aml yn galw am barodrwydd i dorchi llewys a chynorthwyo lle bo angen - dros y blynyddoedd dwi wedi ffocysu ar gyfathrebu, codi arian, cydlynu prosiectau a chyllido. Wrth edrych yn ôl dwi’n credu imi hefyd gael budd mawr o waith ymgyrchu ....er na wnaeth hynny groesi fy meddwl ar y pryd! Yn ffodus, mae fy swydd gyfredol yn gofyn am ‘bach o bopeth’ yn hytrach nag arbenigedd benodol... a dwi wrth fy modd yn cael ffocysu unwaith eto ar faterion rhyngwladol - mae’r sgiliau i gyd yn cydblethu yn ddiwedd!