For QMU student Rachel Cunnningham, getting involved in the Peer Assisted Learning Scheme (PALS) led from attending sessions as a student to becoming a PALS Leader and eventually taking on an internship focused on marketing and communications. Along the way, they developed valuable skills in content creation, social media, communication and project management, while gaining practical experience within the University. Here, she shares how her PALS experience helped build their confidence, develop career skills and put their Business Management degree into practice.
When I first started at University, I never expected the Peer Assisted Learning Scheme (PALS) to become such an important part of my experience. I first got involved with PALS as a student, attending sessions to help me understand my course content and gain a different perspective on the topics I was learning. Being able to learn from students who had already completed the modules created a really relaxed, supportive environment where I felt comfortable asking questions, discussing ideas, and learning from others' experiences.
I found PALS so valuable that, in my third year, I decided to become a PALS Leader myself. This gave me the opportunity to support other students in the same way that previous PALS Leaders had supported me.
Leading sessions helped me develop my communication, organisation, and leadership skills, while also reinforcing my own understanding of my course. I really enjoyed creating an environment where students felt comfortable getting involved. Following my experience as a PALS Leader, I was given the opportunity to take on a PALS internship as part of my course, focusing on marketing and social media. This allowed me to experience PALS from a completely different perspective and become involved in the wider work behind the scheme.
What did the internship involve?
My internship involved supporting the promotion and development of PALS across QMU. A large part of my role focused on creating content and raising awareness of PALS through social media. I created content for platforms such as Instagram and Facebook and helped develop ideas to promote PALS to students. I also worked on the PALS YouTube channel and TikTok page, creating videos and gaining experience in planning and producing digital content. Another major part of my internship was supporting the marketing of the International Conference on Peer Learning and Support, hosted at QMU. This involved creating promotional materials, including posters for the University's digital screens, and collaborating with the QMU Marketing team to ensure they were suitable for promoting the event. I also helped with promotional activities for PALS events, recruitment campaigns, and other opportunities for students to get involved. The internship gave me the chance to apply skills I had developed through my Business Management degree to a real project. Rather than simply learning about marketing and communication in lectures, I was able to put these skills into practice and see how they worked in a real organisation.
What did I learn?
One of the biggest things I learned during my internship was the importance of communication. Working with different people and promoting PALS to a student audience meant that I had to think carefully about how information was presented and how to make content engaging and accessible. I also developed my organisation and time-management skills. Balancing different projects, deadlines and responsibilities meant that I had to plan and use my time effectively and prioritise tasks. My confidence also improved significantly. Creating content, contributing ideas, and working with staff members pushed me outside of my comfort zone. Over time, it felt natural to share my ideas and take initiative. The internship also taught me that marketing is not just about creating something that looks good. It is about understanding your audience, considering what will encourage them to engage, and assessing how successful your communication has been. This was particularly useful because it allowed me to connect my academic learning with practical experience.
How has PALS helped me?
Looking back, PALS has helped me in several different ways throughout my university journey. As a student, it gave me additional academic support and a space where I could ask questions without feeling intimidated. However, being a PALS Leader helped me develop my confidence, communication, and leadership skills. Finally, as an intern, I gained valuable practical experience in marketing, content creation, and working within a professional environment. The experience has also helped me recognise how much I have developed since starting University. I began as a student attending PALS sessions, then progressed to leading sessions myself and eventually took on an internship where I was involved in the wider promotion and development of the scheme. Each stage gave me new skills and experiences that I can take forward into my future career.
Why would I encourage other students to get involved?
I would strongly encourage students to get involved with PALS, whether by attending sessions, becoming a PALS Leader, or exploring opportunities within the wider PALS team. For students attending sessions, PALS provides a supportive environment where you can learn from other students and ask questions in a more relaxed setting.
You do not need to feel like you must know everything before attending - that is what the sessions are there for. For anyone considering becoming a PALS Leader, I would definitely recommend giving it a go. It is a great way to develop transferable skills such as communication, leadership, organisation, and teamwork, while also helping other students.
My internship showed me that PALS offers opportunities beyond academic support, too. It gave me the chance to develop professional skills, gain practical experience and work with different people across the University. Most importantly, PALS has allowed me to give something back to the University community. I have benefited from the scheme myself, so being able to support other students and contribute to something that has had such a positive impact on my own experience has been incredibly rewarding. My time with PALS has been one of the most valuable parts of my university journey, and I am grateful for the opportunities, skills, and confidence it has given me. If you are considering getting involved with PALS, I would say go for it, as you never know where the experience might take you.
Rachel’s experience with PALS is one example of the many opportunities available to QMU through QMUEmpower, QMU's commitment to supporting students not just academically, but personally and professionally too.
