Straight Talk With Undergraduates Foundation
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Have a Story, Lesson, or Experience to Share?

Straight Talk Live is where undergraduates and recent graduates hear what school didn't teach them, straight from people who have lived it. Not perfect stories. Useful ones.

Apply to Speak

Your Story Could Save Someone a Wrong Turn

If you have a story, a hard-won lesson or a practical skill that could help a young person make a better decision, we want you on the mic.

Speak from what you have lived, and leave the audience with something they can use.

💻 Online & in-person sessions🎓 For undergraduates & recent graduates
Call for Speakers flyer for Straight Talk Live, from Straight Talk With Undergraduates Foundation

The Kind of Speaker We're Looking For

People with first-hand experience who can talk straight and leave young people with something they can use.

Areas our sessions cover

Education

Making the most of university, academic growth, campus life and learning beyond the classroom.

Career

Career choices, employability, job hunting, workplace realities and professional growth.

Skills

The practical skills that make young people more useful, adaptable and prepared.

Opportunities

Finding, applying for and making the most of fellowships, internships, scholarships, jobs and competitions.

Personal Development

Discipline, confidence, decision-making, communication, leadership and resilience.

Entrepreneurship

Building ideas, starting small, navigating challenges and learning from the experience of others.

Writing & Communication

Writing, speaking, storytelling, digital communication and using your voice effectively.

Life After Graduation

The realities nobody puts in the graduation programme.

And more

Because young people's questions do not fit neatly into categories.

  • You don't need to be famous.

  • You don't need a perfect story.

  • You do need honesty, and something useful to share.

Ready to share yours?

Apply to Speak

Questions You Might Have

Do I need to be a professional speaker?
No. We care more about honest, useful experience than polished delivery. If you have lived it and can explain what you learned, we would like to hear from you.
Are the sessions online or in person?
Both. Straight Talk Live sessions are sometimes online and sometimes in person. In the form you tell us whether you can take part online, in person or either, and we will confirm the details with you if your session goes ahead.
How do I tell you when I am available?
In the form, pick the dates you could speak on from the calendar and set the time you are free on each one. Add your time zone and how many hours you can give per session for preparing and speaking. We will confirm the final date and time with you.
What kind of talk can I give?
A solo talk, a conversation or interview, or a panel, or tell us you are flexible. Stories, practical tips, hard lessons and honest answers to young people's questions all work.
Can I be considered for future sessions too?
Yes. At the end of the form, tell us if you would like to stay on our speaker list and we will keep you in mind for future sessions.
What happens after I apply?
Our team reviews every application and gets back to you by email. If your topic and availability fit an upcoming session, we will agree the details together.
I have a question before I apply.
Send us a message through the Contact page on this website and the team will get back to you.

Apply to Speak

Tell us about yourself and the conversation you would like to bring. Fields marked optional can be skipped.

About You

Your Profile

0 words — aim for 100 to 150

Social Media (at least one — so we can tag and credit you)

Your Conversation Idea

Your Availability

Sessions can be online or in person. Pick the dates you could speak on from the calendar, then set the time you're free on each date.

Pick a date on the calendar and it will appear here.

Experience