My first internship

Hey everyone!

So I should probably fill you in with what's been going on recently. Two weeks ago I got a long awaited and rather unexpected email from Now magazine inviting me for an internship. After a year of waiting I seriously thought my application had been discarded to the trash folder long ago so it was a pretty pleasant surprise. It was the best news and just what I'm looking for now that university is over *sob*.

I'm working in the web department and my duties certainly don't involve making cups of tea for my superiors! A typical day consists of transcribing articles and helping to produce online content for the magazine's website. Like today I practically spent the whole day researching baby shoes (I don't have my own column just yet!) and compiling pictures for a Royal birth themed gallery (yes, most of my day was spent oohing and awwing at uber cute mini footwear).

If I've learnt anything so far it's to never underestimate the work that goes into producing an online article. You assume it'll be simple and quick (which it can be) but these tasks really involve double, if not triple checks, scrutiny and attention to detail because even the smallest of errors can be fatal. It's also so easy to become lost for words, even if it's writing something small like a caption; you just sit there asking yourself whether you really did spend the last three years of your life completing an English degree. Thankfully, there's thesaurus.com and practise does lead to the eventual formation (never perfection) of a sentence that won't be totally lost when subbed.

Well anyway, the experience has been a real eye opener into celebrity and web journalism and I'm learning something new everyday. I've been lucky enough to attend one press event. On Wednesday I got to go Fern Cotton's launch of her new home ware range for Very.co.uk. Her pieces were very pretty, very girlie and quite vintage chic (if there is such a thing) with a running floral motif on most of them. She's released everything from sofas, cat inspired lampshades to rugs and pillows.

I have loads of pillows on my bed so the cat pillow caught my eye, plus its probably the most affordable piece... 

I'm going to end this post here and will update again soon. I'm still waiting for my laptop to return from repair, it's been 2 weeks to too long!! 

Thanks for reading x

OMG

So last Tuesday was my last ever hand-in AND THUS THE END OF UNIVERSITY AS I KNOW IT- *dun! dun! dun!*

3 years of hard-work has amounted to this moment.. 

I can't believe it's all over, I've had a brilliant 3 years and have met a bunch of really great people that I hope to be able to call my life long friends. My time at university has seen some serious highs and a fair share of lows- but that's the point of all, right?

I'm eagerly awaiting my results (eek!) and look forward to graduation! In the meantime, I have a trip lined up to Spain, only for a couple of days, to visit my friend whose taken a sandwich year abroad. I'm looking forward to seeing how she's doing out there and also to escaping this fickle British weather and getting some actual solid sunshine!

In other the news, the job hunt is on! Bring on LIFE!

A 2:1 isn't good enough?

Well, according to the Guardian this may actually be so for the graduates of 2012 on wards.

As I myself am about to take on my last year at university I can’t help but die a little inside at the thought of even trying to find a job after university. What with the miserable prospect of a declining economic climate and a dim job market, it’s a nightmare for any graduate of today and it doesn't exactly help either seeing all these depressing statements occupying the headlines. It is said that more than 75% of employers now require a minimum of a 2:1 degree, which has soared from the half bad 52% in 2004. Whilst the AGR claim that there will be rise in graduate salaries, it is also expected that job vacancies will fall by 0.6% leaving graduates with a tougher outlook when it comes to finding a job.

It also seems that the average student has more to be doing than just obtaining that all important degree because the harsh reality is that it just isn't really worth all that much anymore. The want for a 2:1 may well be there but so is the necessity of an above-average and accomplished personal profile. It’s all about the extra-curricular stuff, the volunteering, and the accumulation of skills and experience that employers are said to be looking for in today’s competitive market. A degree is not enough and in that neither is having just a good grade. It just helps to have one is all.

In all this, the old words of comfort: “you have plenty of time” have expired. What time is there left to even think about aspirations when students are now expected to know exactly what they want to do upon leaving university. I mean, as if the stress of assignments, deadlines, reading lists, having a social life, etc, isn't enough, students now have to be thinking about their career from the onset. We have approached the age of “the switched on student” who doesn't really have that much time (or money) to mess around. Forget soul-searching because the demand to have a good CV with all the relevant experiences has become crucial. The pressure is on and it doesn't seem like there can be much done about it either.

Sources: www.guardian.co.uk, www.agr.org.uk

Image sourced from www.google.co.uk

Second year blues

So, here I am, I’ve reached the end of my second year at university. I’ve probably had, what are some of the best moments of my life so far, met some brilliant people, and I am ready to bear the brunt of my third and final year (I am also looking forward to quite an eventful summer but that’s not for now!).

So what’s the problem?

Well, perhaps it’s the amplifying nag in the back of my mind telling me to hurry up and figure out what I want to do after the student safety net has been pulled from beneath my feet, only to be dragged into the dreaded reality of ‘the real world’.

I won’t lie. Up until now, I’ve been bigging it up in La La Land and avoiding the very idea of post-university life. The thought of it actually makes me want to (insert some hyperbolic phrase here). The point is I’m terrified!

So, I’ve decided to weigh up some possible options for what I could do. It can only make me feel better, right? Feel free to take note.

Perfect my CV

This is one of the first things I should do if I am to make any impact or lasting impressions to any potential employers. It’s always a great idea to regularly update your CV (something I should be doing) and check it reads well and makes you come across as a well-rounded and altogether employable individual. I’ve heard it’s even a good idea to have a couple of CVs that have been tailored towards career-specific criteria if you’re applying for more than one type of job. So, rather than using one, general, CV for several different jobs (which will vary in their applicant requirements), it may be an idea to use one that is orientated towards the type of career you are aiming to pursue by using only relevant details, skills, and experiences.

There’s an excellent article on this website that offers all kinds of advice to help you on your way to building a great CV.

Apply for a graduate placement or internship

This is probably one of the most typical options that students are expected to go for after they finish their undergraduate degree. But it’s not just ‘a’ placement or internship I should be applying for, it’s loads! Undoubtedly, getting the opportunity to get your foot in the door of your desired field is THE ultimate dream. But it’s also a dream that countless other students have. So it’s probably best that I apply for countless work placements, countless internship positions, and countless work-experience opportunities (or just as many as I can).

So where do I start? There’s always the university jobshop that is a great starting point, as well as other recruitment websites like Prospects.ac.uk, Milkround.com, and Inspiringinterns.co.uk which help you access to tons of opportunities out there.

I should probably also be prepared to accept any unpaid positions… After all, as a graduate fresh from the grounds of my university campus, I guess I ought to be grateful for any offer that comes my way.

Volunteering

Every opportunity is an experience and if it helps me gain some perspective towards what I really want to do, then why not. It’s a great way to network and meet new people as well as giving something back. Websites like Do-it.org.uk and Vinspired offer tons of volunteering opportunities that are tailored to your interests. It’s probably worth signing up for and giving it a try. (Though it might be best to make sure I can afford to work for free first).

Go straight back into university and do a post-graduate degree.

This is a very tempting idea. I feel that, if I were to take up this option I may have the chance at being slightly more qualified for my ground-breaking career than if I just had a BA. But I suppose it all boils down to the area of interest you are looking to pursue your career in. As it goes, it’s not always about the level of education you have under your belt, but the experience you have accumulated that will really help justify your employability. That’s not to say that a post-grad degree is useless in getting that all important experience. There are many which offer work experience placements that you can do alongside your dissertation. Essentially, there are two types of post-grad degrees out there which vary from taught courses to research positions. For more information, check out Postgraduate Courses if you fancy a browse through the kind of courses that are on offer. So, it's just a case of figuring out what is best.

If I was to go for this option, it would be a case of securing my grade (with lots of hard work!) and getting ready to handle yet more essay writing and yet more debt. Hmm…

Work/Travel- Business or Pleasure?

Alternatively, I could just carry on avoiding all reality and take a prolonged holiday across the globe and explore all the world has to offer! As great as this idea sounds, I live off a budget and I don’t think the ‘rents will be coughing up any time soon. Thankfully, websites like Bunac.org, CampAmerica, or Realgap offer an array of work placement and volunteering programmes abroad at a quite a reasonable price. They charge a one-off fee for helping organise all your details and handing it to all the really important people out there, A.K.A, the folk who will be employing you on your super-cool job abroad.  This is great for summer work, (getting paid whilst on holiday? Yes please!) or a gap year. It’s also great for meeting new people, gaining contacts, and most of all, an experience of a lifetime! It’ll look brilliant on the ol’ CV!

Try and start up my own business.

I think I would need a business plan first… (and some money).

Stick to my current job until I find something better.

If, like me, you’re lucky enough to already have a job, this could be one of the safest options. This also might be one of the wisest options. Let’s be honest, in the current economic climate with the current vast amounts of job-seekers, let alone graduates, it’s tough times. If I were to stick with this option, I could look for work placements, internships, etc and have a job at the same time until I finally have the success of getting that all important job!

Still not so sure?

Your tutors are there for a reason. It could be an idea to book an appointment with them and have a hearty discussion about your potential options after university. If you are aware of any employability and CV workshops taking place around your university, go to them! These are great for tips and advice which will help you get started on building your profile. Also be sure to check out graduate fairs, taking as many copies of your CV as possible! All the right people will be there, ready and waiting for you to show them what you’ve got. (I certainly shall be attending!)

See Graduate Events for more info!

Still not satisfied? Well I have one more option left and that is to check out Direct.gov.uk which also goes through all the options available to you after university.

Ok, so I’ve made my list and I think I’ve covered everything I can think of. If I’ve missed anything at all, please come forward! The more options the better, eh? Because then it’s just the case of, er… choosing one.

Good luck everybody!

Image: Tinypic.com