When my career finally met my life: My experience as a student ambassador at Purpose Lab

Ever since I decided to study sociology, I had doubts and fears that I would never find a place to practise it outside traditional paths such as social work or public policy. The business world felt like a totally different universe, I had no idea how my academic knowledge would ever fit into it.  

Then I found Purpose Lab, and everything clicked. From day one, Purpose Lab felt different. Instead of treating social, ethical and environmental responsibility as a nice “extra,” it puts them right at the centre of how organisations work.  

Purpose Lab introduced me to a side of the business world that I hadn’t really encountered before. I was seeing businesses that didn’t just talk about making a difference, they actually wanted to do it. For the first time, my sociology degree didn’t feel abstract or distant from reality. It felt useful.  

One of the most interesting sessions was working with c2c, a railway company that wanted to focus on attracting more female applicants and engaging more students in the sector. We explored gendered perceptions of careers, communication strategies and barriers within application processes. This experience was especially rewarding because it allowed me to apply my sociological knowledge directly to real-world issues around inclusion and representation.  

What makes Purpose Lab different is that it’s not about hypothetical case studies or made-up scenarios. You’re working on real projects with real organisations, which makes everything feel much more meaningful. Through these sessions, I’ve started to see sociology in action, not just as a theory, but as something that can shape how organisations think about inclusion, community impact and ethical decision-making.  

As an international student, another thing I really appreciated was the support from the Purpose Lab team. From the application process to each session, everything was clearly explained and accessible. That support gave me the confidence to step into professional spaces, communicate in a language that isn’t my first, and talk about my academic background in a way that actually makes sense to employers.  

And maybe the most surprising part? Companies really want to hear from students. Partner organisations don’t just say they value young voices, they create space for them. Being part of those conversations, sharing how students experience the transition into work, and knowing those insights actually matter has been incredibly empowering.  

Purpose Lab helped me realise something important: what I study has real value. Sociology isn’t just theory, it’s a tool that can shape the future of work, business and society. And for the first time, my career started to feel like it could align with who I am and what I care about.

By Isabella Suárez - Liverpool Hope University Student and Purpose Lab student ambassador