food for thought

Summer Break Thoughts

I'm about to get down and dirty with year three...reading lists, literature review of my dissertation, and getting in touch with lecturers over the learning outcomes from the units I have to choose from.

I understand that there are optional units in this my final year, and I already know which ones I am interested in, but after a brief conversation with a fellow students, I thought about how I want my CV to look in a years' time...what field I am looking at? I confess I am terrified of doing a sociology only unit, because I have found the assignments mind-boggling, but if I wanted to embark on a global scale, say the United Nations, then they would probably be looking for something like that. I think it would be helpful to know what I will get out of it (learning outcomes) as opposed to just what I'm vaguely interested in.

Those finishing their third years this year, thank you - as I am well and truly terrified!  So much work, so little time. So much to be done, so much panic! However in speaking to a few lecturers they have encouraged me that for the well organised, and those who think ahead, in can in fact be easier than second year! I have yet to prove that but it has inspired me to work harder now rather than the new academic year hits.

And if all else fails...at least I will live longer due to having a purpose to strive for in my life. See new study's find at this link...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-27393057

job SOURCING

Thought I would refresh my memory on job sourcing this summer, whether exclusively for the holidays, a sandwich job, or your first step on the career ladder (ie. you're doing a Criminology degree and decide to do admin for the Police Department).

As far as I know both Child and Adolescent Studies, and Criminology have lectures/seminars themed around job hunting, interview skills etc, in their 2nd year. An assignment where your CV, cover letter, Personal Development Plan (look below at my sample of a PDP) and job research is graded. I'm not rubbish at CVs, but it was a good way to know I was on the right track, giving me confidence in my interview skills, and analysis of a job is something I'd never done professionally before.

The UoB has a great page for CV and cover letter writing (click right here) but not only that they offer a free drop in session at Career Services on the ground floor of I block. I found this terrifically useful in the assignment, with proof reading my CV and PDP, and one of the advisors even gave me a good hour and a half for some career guidance. They also do a similar certification called the EDGE. 

Having said all that, I'd like to put it out there that the formal "job hut" and CV saturation of your entire town/city, isn't always going to be YOUR route to the job you're after - in fact we may often find ourselves somewhere better than our dream job. For example, when I first signed up to university and was looking for work, I signed up as a Nursery Nurse with a local recruitment agency, staffing nurseries and creches when needed. This led to me staffing schools when Teaching Assistants were absent, which then ended up with my being employed in one (I went through the external interview process but from knowing the school I was much more confident). Now I am seeking what avenues I can pursue to benefit my experience and career, whether it's after-school-clubs, interventions, parent workshops - might end up doing a PGCE yet.

I will be honest and say I don't know where I'm headed, but if you keep asking questions, keep throwing yourself out there, you are bound to end up somewhere very interesting and possibly the best thing that could happen to you. Now to keep my eyes peeled and myself at the ready this summer holidays ….

read a little, live a lot

As I mentally prepare my reading list for the months before October term begins, I consider what type of reading I want to partake of.

Academic texts, a no brainer of course I must read this dreaded stuff, and make notes and arguments, and reference correctly and get what studies have been found to back up my arguments,

BBC News and other independent but reliable sources, yes I would like to stay connected with present day affairs and political impacts. The Metro, seeing as I don't read the celebrity tabloids and political inclined papers such as the SUN (Conservative), Guardian (Labour) (please see BBC News analysis of paper politics), the Metro is concise with it's stories and covers a wide variety including strange stories that local councils have to deal with.

Blogs have a wonderful ability of giving a view through an individuals eyes, which is fascinating regardless of what is happening and why, it's about how it impacts the common man and what us civilians live with daily.

Novels okay these are NOT going to benefit your reference list or your research arguments, BUT, they will benefit you. As the linked article explains (Why Readers are the Best People to Fall in Love With), readers are a dying but vital breed of people who know what it's like to touch a thousands lives, emotions, concepts and realities. Yes, a lot of novels are nonsense, but it is imaginative nonsense! And I truly believe that taking time regularly to read something completely opposite to academic will awaken integrity and the creative side of me.

And don't forget to reflect, as taking notes from academic sources are important so as not to lose what you have concluded, so is keeping a notepad or journal to documenting the findings and development of your own mind. I know I intend to.

Renting in Luton

I know some friends who've been moving into private accommodation this last month. After being lucky enough to benefit from the halls of residence that the UoB offer, it's no small task to figure out the game of renting rooms, flats or houses. Having lived in Luton and rented over the last 4 years, I've had the good, the bad and the ugly, but yeah usually the ugly.

Firstly with going through a property agency or a private landlord, renting is NEVER going to be easy, and you will always get surprises and expenses thrown your way, but here are a few things to remember that will make it a little easier. 

Don't forget your deposit, which could be 1 month's rent or up to 1 and 1/2 month's rent. When renting your deposit is required by law to go into a rent deposit scheme which cannot be touched unless agreed upon by both parties. If going through a private landlord then they may not offer this, so it's up to you if you are comfortable with that setup, but the law is there to protect you should you encounter problems when leaving, differences of opinion on property damages, responsibilities, or general landlord's that sometimes don't communicate and take matters into their own hands. I have learned however that you will never get 100% back, so bear that in mind.

If going through a property agency, this usually incurs an extra charge. I'm still baffled as to why! Something about credit checks and administration, which can make up to £150 per person but some as low as £50 - just remember cheap isn't always a bargain, you'll often end up paying for it later. Some only ask for this initial charge once at the beginning of your tenancy, others charge it to renew or on an annual basis. 

When renting a room in a shared house, this will usually include all water, gas and electric bills, and sometimes an internet connection. Shared house renting has it's perks but also it's downsides and personally I hated it, but then if you're living with friends it could be fun (if you remain friends!). When renting studios, flats and houses, it's generally up to the occupying to pay for all utilities and even the installation charge of internet. Council Tax is free but you'll have to get the necessary paperwork from SiD down the the Town Hall to get it setup otherwise you'll get bills soon enough.

If I tell you anything, I will HIGHLY recommend getting a really, really good look at the whole property, in the cupboards, in the drainage, check all the plumbing works, and watch out for mould which can get out of control in the winter due to lack to ventilation and humidity. I once had a property that was pretty much built of marsh land so when the windows were closed it was like a rainforest inside! For health reasons you should always keep the air flowing but in the dead of winter this is a real issue as you don't want to pay for extra heat with open windows because that's what the landlord says will sort it! If you see something that you've decided should be sorted before moving in (like a new mattress, or a fixed window) have them do it BEFORE moving in. It's a great incentive for property owners as they know they will get a tenant once it's done, and is so frustrating to be waiting for something weeks into a tenancy, which so often happens.

Any questions, please leave a message below in the comments!