2015 here we come!

In thinking over the last academic year, I find my mind going WWW (what went well) and EBI (even better if). Looking at the opportunities I've had and the ones that I've missed and would like to utilise in this new year. I'm also looking over my contacts built and who I may want to stay in contact with or need to "impress" in my last year before graduation.

Right from the beginning of my degree my lecturer's poignant words rang in my ear "Your career starts from today". And you've probably noticed the urgency in all my blog posts. :) Life is so short and we only get one chance to experience it to the full.

Particularly in our CAS Conference Day a couple of weeks ago (see previous article) , I've noted the opportunities relevent to Health and Social Science students. The Access Partnership Associates, the Children's Centre Volunteer Programme and now it's sister Family Engagement Officer Volunteers. We have the Blog Internships. The Peer Assisted Learning (PAL) teams!

It's PAL that I am particularly interested in being a part of this year. It looks like a great way to develop skills in working with individuals and small groups, and give confidence in related work. I'll try to keep you posted on what happens there!

CAS Conference 2014

This week saw the First Ever Child and Adolescent Studies Degree Conference - and I had the pleasure if being a part of it this last Wednesday.

Over two months in the making, and with the wonderful StEPs team joining us late last month to help make it a reality, we invited students and organisation representatives to talk about the power of volunteering, and how to apply what we have learned on our degree to our work field.

From crèche nannying to College lecturers, the university's Children Centre partnership with the local council, to The National Citizenship Service - I was amazed to see how diverse the experience and opportunities are to those coming from our degree. Students volunteered to speak for fifteen minutes about their experiences, hold poster presentations on their roles, and host promotional tables for the charities they were involved in. By the end of the day I was truly proud not just to be a part it, but to be a park of a community of professional learners to whom the sky is the limit.

Well done CAS students 2014, 2015 and 2016! X

Go Professional!

This week the university also held our 'Go Professional Event' - an opportunity to gain some knowledge and make some connections for your career future.

I'm unsure how this played out across other degrees, but for yours' truly we were honoured with a question panel on the morning of the 5th February. We had guests from the probational service, women's aid, and a few other human services, all sitting there for an hour just to answer any questions that we could think of to send some light on their jobs and how they got into them.

During our workshops there were speakers on some of the Postgraduate Degrees available in the university. I attended the Social Worker MSc and found her to be a fabulous speaker, not just letting us know that the course had to offer, but on some of the routes and specialities of social work. Very valuable information if you're like me and beginning to think about what you want to do rather than just a vague title.

Sadly I was too busy to take photos that day, but the main floor was packed with charities and organisations ready to talk to about their work and ways that you could get involved and gain some experience volunteering. Some of which were:

• Keyring
• Humanitas Charity
• Tokko
• Families United Network
• Access2books
• Luton Culture
• Khayaal Theatre Company
• Stagenhoe – Sue Ryder
• Bedfordshire FA
• Noah Enterprise
• SOS Bus
• Voluntary Works
• Alive N Kicking
• Save the children
• Enactus Bedfordshire
• Carers in Bedfordshire
• MS Society
• Community Resettlement Project (CRSP)
• HealthWatch Luton
• FOBE - Friends of Bright Eyes
• GreenHouse Mentoring
• Volunteer general stall
• Girl Guiding Luton
• Changing Lives
• Guide Dogs for the Blind
• Cancer Research UK
• UpRising
• Luton Borough Council
• Leonard Cheshire Disability
• Keech Hospice Care

So you can see how diverse the opportunities were! And all localised branches which makes it very convenient for students. If you're someone like me that feels they already have their plate full, then consider the summer when there are no lectures or workshops; I know that will give me two extra days a week for over 6 weeks when I won't be working, definitely an opportunity not to be missed. Or maybe that's the time you can use to look for an foundational job within the organisation you are dreaming about working for. Who knows what that time can offer you.

Applying, Step 1: Open Days/which Degree?

Thinking back to this time of year before I began uni: I didn't really have a clue to go about it. I knew I wanted to learn a new skill and have something more to contribute to my career, so I decided to take the time to find out about uni and if it would be what I needed (I had done an advanced National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) and enjoyed it thoroughly, but uni is quite a different ball game).

First I found out about Open Days. I can't emphasis enough how important this is, if you are applying to universities away from home then it's equally important. Giving you a chance to walk about, meet students (ask them the questions you may be too embarrassed to ask the lecturers, you'll be surprised with their frank and insightful responses), and find out more about the courses you may be interested in. Keep your mind open to the other degrees under the umbrella of the area you are interested in, even if you think you already know what you want. Tell student ambassadors and lecturers that you are to meet what you enjoy and want to learn, maybe your idea of what you want to become once you graduate, and they will be able to direct you to some good choices.

I remember at the time I applied I was convinced I wanted to teach, so I asked for a degree that might prepare me for a PGCE but still explore other avenues within the care an education world - due to the fact three years is a long time, anything can happen and you can change as a person in your desired and decisions.

During the open day, in saying I wasn't sure on what degree to take, I was recommended a few, however I was also recommended to meet with the head lecturer of the degree. I remember being mortified! Meeting someone I didn't know with no idea of what to talk or what questions to ask, but I tried to come up with a few and I found the lecturers I spoke to very helpful and giving me confidence in the degree that I eventually chose (this also helped with my applying statement which I will cover in a following post).

Personally speaking I chose the University of Bedfordshire (UoB) because it was close and convenient to home and friends, but that's not to say I would have gone if I was not impressed with the staff and environment of learning. Someone else might find that in going to a few universities that they find one that fits them like a glove, and kudos to you, but two years on and I am still happy with the UoB as I find it gives me what I need.

Happy New Year!

In tradition of a New Year countdown, in order of awesomeness are 13 firsts from 2013. You’ll probably have a few questions that I will expand on these in the coming year.

Number 13: Finished academic year of university, something I doubted I could ever do – many thanks to my lecturers and partner for believing in me.

12: Wrote my first essay plan that I then wrote from in class.

11. Wrote my first 2,000-word report.

10: And my first 2,500 word essay.

9: Took part in my first mock case conference in the human services – terrifying but liberating.

8: Attended my first Portfolio Executive Committee (PEC) Meeting as Course Representative for my year group (more on this coming soon).

7: My first research project from secondary research - the research was already done and I applied my own research questions and reported on the findings. Lots of fun!

6: Took part in my first charity event with my society, such a good feeling of spending my time well and for others.

5: Learnt some of my first Mandarin words and phrases – “chigga chigga!”

4: Graduated from the University’s B-Innovate 12 week Business Course.

3: Organised my first social event, thanks to the inspiration of my course society.

2: Although not university orientated, my partner and I founded our own business in July and it has been growing since. This learning curve has boosted my confidence and flexibility in so many ways.

1: Visited Beijing, China, on the Student Exchange Summer Program. Definitely a coolio!

Happy New Year! – Here is to you following your dreams wherever they lead and living and learning to the full in the 365 days to come! x

Merry Christmas!

Whether you are someone who celebrates the Christmas season or not, the holidays are all the more sweet after your assignments in December. In speaking to students from other courses, I believe I am right to say that following Block 1 in Term 1 your tutors love to give you a nice big assignment to hand in…or two…or three! I was almost in tears this end of term, simply because I was so happy to have it all done and dusted and be able to travel home to see my family and take a couple of days to think about something else. If you aren't local to your university, it's precious time to go and see loved ones instead of just texting them every now and then to tell them how stressed you are (that would be me). But then I have a sneaky suspicion that in the third year of university you do not get the luxury as many of my third year friends tell me they will be working hard over the break to be ready for assignments once they return, so make the most of it!

As someone who likes to enjoy Christmas to the full, I was really happy to hear that the TreeHouse Faith and Community Centre were hosting a Carols by Candlelight service this month, in our beautiful St Mary's church which is right next to the Luton Campus. This is the second time I have gone, with mince pies and mulled wine it was a great excuse to go and soak up the essence of Christmas with traditional carols and thoughtful words that warm your heart in this icy, bleak time of the year. And it is bleak, with very little sunlight, heavy winds and dark, cold nights, you need a little pick-me-up to lift your heart and remind you that you are not alone.

The TreeHouse is located on the ground floor of the business centre, and offer  quiet and cosy rooms to pray, relax, meditate, or just make friends whatever your beliefs  With tea and coffee, couches and even their own real tree house, it's a great place to nurture that other part of your mind and heart. Coordinated by Reverend Andrew but run on the ground by other student volunteers, involved with happening events such as the Mandela Tribute earlier this month. I would definitely recommend this place if you need a little boost and friendship from like-minded people. Here are some of their details:

sign up:http://eepurl.com/bcrew

online: www.tree-house.org.uk and: www.beds.ac.uk/treehouse

on facebook: http://on.fb.me/uobtreehouse

on twitter: https://twitter.com/UoBTreehouse

Do forgive me for not wishing some of you a Happy Christmas in time, but I hope you all enjoy a terrific and exhilarating new year!