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!

#100HappyDays highlights

As we are at the end of the academic year in UoB I thought I would share the last of my #100HappyDays and some of the joys of the last term and a half in my eclectic world called Luton, Bedfordshire.

1. Working in a Primary School isn't all fun and games, it can be quite draining and yes monotony creeps in, it's always nice to go on a field trip and London Zoo was a great time to enjoy some quality time with the children, I'm such a sop I know!
2. I'm not usually your A+ student but it was nice to get a few this year and see my academic skills developing nicely.
3. Enjoying my days at work as I've been given my own little classroom for interventions and groups sessions. Great practice in handling groups of children and opportunities for initiative taking - BLESSED to have a job that is letting me explore my abilities and take on new challenges.
4. Getting a sweet pick up from university by the fiancé rather than have to walk up my MASSIVE hill home, and did some sky watching instead.
5. Had some terrific weather and in between all the assignment madness it was nice to take a stroll through the town and St George's Square while all the kids were coming down to the water fountains.
6. Can't help but mention getting my blogging contract, a great feeling to be paid for being creative, even if it's just something on the side.
7. Ah yes, as noted I have a fiancé so naturally wanted to handmake my wedding invites with an eco-vibe, lots of fun and found these nifty card cutters from Tiger in the Mall - one of my favourite shops here in Luton!
8. Moutabbal at Damas Grill with the girlfriends. A great catchup after all our hard work of the year behind us.
9. Just loving the bluebells in my garden!

StEPs

UoB came up with something new last year: Student Experience Projects (StEPs). An opportunity for students to bid for funding from the university to put toward university student led projects. I went along to one this week as I was presenting an idea (I proudly came in the runnings, cheers!) and found it to be quite exciting and nervewrecking at the same time. I've NEVER volunteered to do a presentation, but somehow got intertwined in this one, which had its perks. As a professional in human services you have to develop some kind of presenting and people skills, so I was glad to be pushed out of my comfort zone, and although I fumbled and threw away my disorganised flash cards halfway through, I was glad to have done it and I know I will get better next time.

There were four other bidders, each with a unique suggestion, but I have to say that each one of us really needed to do our homework better. I realised that as students, I haven't met many that imagine they can step out and do something original in the way of projects and enterprises (unless already on a business degree). We get this idea that we are learning theory and academia to find our place in the employment world...but what if that is not for us? What if we have something bigger and better and new inside of us to develop? Scary no?

As I said we all needed to do more homework in preparation for the Dragon's Den type event last Tuesday, as such I would recommend the B-Innovate Programme (a european course run right here in our UoB) or Prince's Trust Enterprise Programmes. Any avenue to teach you about business plans, projected cash flows, budgeting and logistics. Perhaps in Applied Social Sciences or my own Child and Adolescent Studies, opening your own project is not what you had in mind, but we don't know what the future holds and at best it is good to look behind the scenes what occurs in welfare economics and national budgeting even in a small way.