Alumni

Anna D'Arcy

Career Path: Ambassador for Green Impact
Location: International

I have always been driven by a desire to make systems fairer for people and for the planet. While studying at Northumbria University, I began to understand that sustainability is not just about science or policy. It is about how organisations behave, how decisions are made, and what motivates people. That realisation led me to produce the idea for Green Impact; something practical, people-led, and scalable.

On a personal level, I was a young mum at the time with a toddler and a new-born. I wanted to give my children a better life and set an example they could be proud of. I also knew I wanted to travel and do something internationally.

Northumbria gave me the space, support, and confidence to turn that idea into something real. I was encouraged to evaluate, iterate and collaborate. Those early experiences of building something from scratch set the tone for everything that followed. I feel like my life journey really began at Northumbria. I had a passion to improve my lot, a simple idea, a strong sense of purpose and a university that backed me

What are you doing now?

I am an ambassador for Green Impact.

What was it about Northumbria that made you decide to study here?

I turned up to Northumbria with a toddler on one hip, a new-born in a sling, and no formal qualifications, but a whole lot of can-do attitudes. I told them I wanted to do this course, which involved taking my kids to Spain for a year, and no one batted an eyelid. They never made me feel like I was overstretching or out of place. I was met with belief, not doubt.

As a young mum, I was looking for a university that would challenge me academically but also support me. Northumbria stood out because it combined real-world learning with a strong sense of possibility. It felt like a place where ideas could be evaluated and where people from all walks of life were given a fair go.

That trust and openness made all the difference. It did not just give me a degree. It gave me a chance to build a better life for my family, and I will be forever grateful.

What was it like studying at Northumbria?

It was a really engaging and encouraging experience. There was a good mix of lectures, seminars, and team projects, which meant I could absorb ideas in different ways and apply them through discussion and collaboration. The feedback was constructive and helped me grow in confidence, especially as I had not come from a traditional academic background.

One of the things I really valued was that Northumbria treated you like a responsible adult. You were given the tools, the structure, and the support, but you were also expected to take initiative and engage deeply with the material. It encouraged independence and critical thinking. That approach gave me confidence and prepared me for the realities of working life.

How connected was your course with industry?

The international placement: spending a year in Spain was invaluable. I had a placement within the Port Industry. It gave me early experience of how systems and cultures differ, and that still influences how I work in global sustainability roles today.

If you took on a placement during your course, how did you feel this helped you in your career/ with your studies?

The year in Spain was transformative. It wasn’t just about studying or language; it taught me how to adapt, how to communicate across cultures and how to lead in unfamiliar environments. Those experiences gave me the resilience, flexibility, and perspective that I have relied on throughout my career, especially in international and high-risk industries.

What was the best thing about your course?

The year in Spain with my kids.

How did studying at Northumbria help you achieve your career goals/ give your career an edge?

Northumbria gave me the confidence and space to try something different. I was taken seriously as a thinker, a parent and a changemaker.

That belief in me, and the chance to develop something from scratch has shaped my entire career. It helped me lead with authenticity, even in high-pressure environments.

It also taught me how to take ownership of my learning. The university offered strong support, but it did not micromanage. You were expected to explore, research and think for yourself. That trust really pushed me to grow and gave me a sense of accountability that has stayed with me ever since.

On a personal level, it did set a good example to my kids, that baby and toddler have both gone on to university themselves, they and I are still the only people to have gone to University in my family.

Which skills/ knowledge did you learn on your course that you use most now throughout your career?

Systems thinking, cross-cultural communication and practical problem-solving have all stayed with me and continue to be a core part of my toolbox.

What did you enjoy most about your time at Northumbria University?

The people, first and foremost. There was a real sense of community — not just among students but with lecturers and staff too. I never felt like I had to prove I belonged. I was welcomed, supported, and encouraged to grow.

I also loved being right in the city centre. It gave me a real connection to Newcastle, and to what it means to apply learning in the real world, not just the classroom.

Something I will never forget, that has impressed me and stayed with me. When I began developing Green Impact, Northumbria could have been defensive about a student questioning how things were done. But they did the opposite. They engaged with my passion and invited me to join the university’s sustainability theme team as a student representative. That included contributing to the sustainability design and construction plans for what was then called the New Build, now known as City Campus East. That kind of openness to student-led change was unique, and it meant everything to me.

What advice would you give somebody who is considering studying at Northumbria?

If you have the drive, Northumbria will meet you with opportunity. Be bold. Ask questions. Back yourself.

It is a university that treats you as an independent learner. You will be given the tools and guidance, but it is up to you to make the most of them. If you’re ready to think critically, explore your ideas and apply what you learn, it’s an incredible place to begin that journey.