Amy Carpenter

As Associate Director, Careers, Employability and Enterprise (CEE), Amy is responsible for the leadership and strategic oversight of the team. She has undertaken a large restructure since joining in August 2021 to overhaul and improve the support available to students/graduates, as well as opening the University’s first Enterprise and Careers Zone.  She also plays a key role in wider University work and activity in this area, and won the Outstanding Contribution to Learning Award at the University of Suffolk staff awards in 2023 in recognition of the achievements in this area. She has also led CEE to become an award winning team, with wins achieved in both the WhatUni Student Choice Awards 2024 and UK Career Development Awards 2024, as a result of the outstanding work demonstrated by the whole team. 

Amy is a Registered Career Development Professional (RCDP) and member of the Career Development Institute, having achieved a Distinction in her PGDip Career Coaching. She is also a School Governor (currently Vice-Chair and Chair of the Resources Committee) with a local primary school, a member of a variety of external committees and boards relating to her role, and a volunteer with a local animal rescue,

She has previously worked across all strands of university careers, including teaching, employer engagement, advice and guidance, event organisation, launching targeted initiatives, data analysis and embedding employability into degree programmes. During her Higher Education career, Amy also undertook a secondment as Assistant Manager to an Alumni and Development Team, and has collaborated closely with Business Development and Start-up teams for multiple projects and initiatives.

Before joining Suffolk, Amy was the Careers Adviser for Social Sciences at the University of Essex, taking a lead on employability activity within the large Faculty. In addition to setting strategic plans for the year ahead, offering 1:1 careers guidance, and organising additional opportunities, she was responsible for designing, developing and teaching a large number of compulsory modules to assist students with their Career Development Learning. 

Prior to working in HE, Amy worked for an international Insurance Broker, recruiting interns and apprentices, as well as organising a variety of work experience placements and insight events. She also worked within retail management for an international retailer. Amy is a proud UCS and University of Suffolk graduate, having achieved both a 1st in her degree, and the award for Best Dissertation.