This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at CCCU chapter.
This week’s Campus Celeb is Jack, AKA Dot Gumbi, an alumn and published author.
What is your connection to CCCU?
I studied English there between 2000-2003. I also edited the Union newspaper for a year, which included my EXCLUSIVE piece about the refurbishment of the Union toilets. There were no toilet seats! Scandal!
Do you still affiliate with the uni?
Yeah, I try to go back to visit Canterbury at least once a year. I’m still blagging free entry to the cathedral grounds with my student pass. I have no idea how I’m getting away with it, I look totally different. The last few years I’ve been invited back by the English department to give creative writing lectures. I love doing them, they are a lot of fun, and it’s great to share knowledge with students about how to get your books on places like Amazon.
Give our freshers some advice?
Don’t hide in your bedroom. It’s so easy to get scared of a new place and meeting new people – but it’s okay, everyone is in the same boat. Get down to the Union, get talking to other students, join societies, get invovled. It’s one big holiday camp. Make the most of it.
Oh, and condoms.
What have you been doing since you left CCCU?
I’ve been working in advertising (which I got into by accident). At first I was a campaign planner but now I’m a graphic designer. I love using the creative part of my brain, so I taught myself photoshop and now I work on brands such as Sky, Lycra and Vodafone. So, if that says anything, it’s that even after you get your degree your life can change direction. I love my job. I make pretty pictures by day, and then I go home and write stories. It’s great.
I’ve also had a few adventures abroad. I met the man with the biggest ball of twine in the world, had my appendix taken out whilst I was in Hollywood, spent a New Year in a remote Polish hospital, met the ambassadors of Denmark, Finland and Sweden and seen their houses, published two books, had my jaw broken and lived in Barcelona for six months.
You’re a published author – did your time at uni contribute to that in any way?
Uni made it possible. I met amazing people, had truly mad times and swapped anecdotes and stories that had me in tears of laughter. As a bonus I had esteemed lecturers giving me their insights into my favourite subject. I finished university with a raging appetite to keep learning and wanted to read everything and write stories till my arms fell off.
It’s funny, the English department secretary had a big hand in my believing I could write. I handed in my creative writing submission to her. A week later I ran into her and she said she’d liked what I’d written. I was blown away. I knew the lecturers had to read it, but here was a person who read it because they were interested. It was a real ‘WOW’ moment. Someone likes my stuff, I can do this.
Looking back at your time at CCCU: is there anything you regret not doing?
I seem to remember watching a lot of daytime TV. I could’ve probably cut down on that a bit and joined more societies. Oh, and learnt how to cook properly. Three years of microwave meals can try a man.
Do you miss university?
Every day. Apart from pay-day (that’s the day you’re reminded about your outstanding loan)
Personal Motto:
One of the best things I bought with my student loan was a book of Japanese poetry from Oxfam. It had this gem inside – it’s been my motto since.
Slowly, slowly,
Climb up Mount Fuji,
O Snail!