The Purpose Lab, from the Purpose Coalition, is harnessing the potential of students from universities and colleges by giving them real world work experience in shaping responsible business strategies and social impact initiatives for some of the UK's largest businesses.
The Purpose Lab is now offering more students than ever the opportunity to apply their academic knowledge to real-world business challenges, bridging the gap between education and industry and delivering real student impact.
The Purpose Lab is:
Shaping responsible business strategies of Purpose Coalition member businesses.
Equipping students with practical skills and entrepreneurial mindsets to enhance their career prospects.
Promoting socio-economic diversity across UK businesses by giving those from less privileged backgrounds real world, high level experience.
Paid Student Ambassadors from universities and colleges participate in the Purpose Lab. Each project focuses on delivering research and recommendations around businesses’ social impact that offer tangible benefits to the participating businesses. Students are matched to companies using MyPurposeGoals.ai so they are working on the issues that matter.
For Students:
Real-world experience in social impact consulting and the responsible business agenda.
Development of business skills and a responsible business mindset and knowledge.
Enhanced employability through practical, hands-on projects.
Sense of direct purpose.
Resource–funded opportunities.
Highlights so far:
Business sessions with organisations such as Teleperformance, Aldermore Bank, Travelodge, Southeastern Railway and a group of law companies and the opportunity to apply for a summer internship programme for Purpose Coalition Student Ambassadors.
Meet the Team
Rachel - Head of Learning & Participation, Purpose Lab
Rachel is a qualified teacher with a deep commitment to helping young people realise their full potential.
Having taught in schools across the North East of England, she witnessed first-hand how a lack of meaningful work experience can limit the prospects of students from less privileged backgrounds — a challenge that now sits at the heart of her work with the Purpose Lab.
Alongside her career in education, Rachel has also worked on projects within the justice system with individuals whose lives have gone off track. This dual experience — in classrooms and communities — gives her a unique perspective on the barriers facing many young people today. At the Purpose Lab, Rachel leads her team on programme delivery, ensuring every student is supported, every partnership delivers real value, and every project helps close the opportunity gap.
Finlay - Client Director for Partnerships, Purpose Lab
Finlay is our Client Director, and leads our partnership work with Universities, Colleges and Business partners. Finlay is committed to delivering maximum value across Purpose Lab for our partners. Finlay has a special interest in how businesses can build links with educational institutions to drive growth and opportunity.
