Wk6 - Christmas songs have no place in the month of November

We’re half way into November and I’m still writing; I’ll be honest, I’m surprised!

This week started with a talk from a recent MMU Information and Communications graduate who is 18 months into a 2 year graduate scheme with AXA. She graduated with a 1^st in BSc (Hons) Web Development and was on the IT route with AXA so not really relevant to me but good to hear about the application process and how the assessment centres usually work. Oh, and I won a couple of chocolates for answering questions and actually bothering to participate in a discussion... bonus.



GOOD - but might want to think about covering your face..



On Wednesday I would have loved to have joined the 200 other Manchester students who went to join the demonstration against the tuition fee cap being removed – however, I would not have liked to potentially have had a fire extinguisher land on my head – MORONS!



BAD - and I hope you get prosecuted you tit!



But instead I spent the morning at the second of the 2 compulsory workshops for the MMU Professional Passport. This workshop is run by the Careers Service who, if you have read my previous posts, I haven’t thus far, had the best experience with. I’m pleased to report however that the CV and Covering Letters session I went to was pretty alright. It wasn’t ‘blow your mind amazing’ but the presenter looked over my CV and I’m pretty confident it’s quite good now. And during the afternoon I enjoyed two more fantastic wins for MMUWFC 1sts and 2nds.



During the rest of the week I’ve mostly been concentrating on getting my HFRM coursework finished – I failed. It isn’t finished but it will be very shortly. Well, it’ll have to be with the hand-in date being Monday 22^nd November! We’ve been given a job description and have been asked to create a person specification and interview schedule…sounds simple. But it’s quite tricky since there is actually no right or wrong answers!

I’ve applied for a couple of jobs this week. Not sure how many I’ll be able to do over the next week, because they take so long. And I’ve got quite a few coursework deadlines I need to start concentrating on.

I also went on my first class trip this week – to a library. No, not the wonderful British Library nor the 400 year old Bodleian…we visited the library at MMU Business School, just up the road. We spent an hour asking the library manager about topics we’ve been learning about in my Library Resources Management class.

Geeky me!

In other news this week, I loved the brilliant Wednesday night social (Geek Week themed, see picture), I bagged tickets to see Harry Potter next Friday night and We Are Scientists on the Saturday (benefits of heading home this weekend!) and, sadly, I heard for the first time this year – a CHRISTMAS song on the radio!! I do not agree with Christmas songs before December 1^st.

Think that’s about it for this week; haven’t even checked my diary for the week to come but I know one thing is for certain…I need to schedule in a hair cut – it’s getting a bit ridiculous.

And, even though I’m neither a hippie (good point, well made, Naomi) nor a rap star (you seem to have missed that fact, Traum) I’m going back to my original sign off.

So,

Peace out.

Wk5 - I survived Manflu AND fireworks!

I’m a couple of days late posting this blog. Heavy weekend what with the aforementioned Bonfire-Birthday-Bash and Warehouse Project activities.





Jen's (left), who may kill me for this. and her big birthday weekend cake.






And everyone at the main stage at WHP (right).




but to be honest I wasn’t really sure where to start anyway… But, after my HRM lecture today all about HR Development and knowing what type of learners people are, I finally realised why I’m finding it pretty hard to write these blogs. Yes, I’ve already said I find it very difficult to write about myself and things I’ve done (see week2) but it’s because I’m not a ‘Reflector’. Apparently Reflectors like to ‘view the situation from different perspectives. They like to collect data, review and think carefully before coming to any conclusions. They enjoy observing others and will listen to their views before offering their own’ and learn best when, ‘reviewing what has happened and thinking about what they have learned’ (Honey and Mumford, 1982). I am an Activist. Or perhaps a Pragmatist… I’ve not really decided yet but whichever it is they do not learn best by keeping ‘learning logs’ or…blogs! If you fancy finding out what type of learner you are visit here or, do the usual and Google ‘Honey and Mumfords Learning Styles’.

The past week has been that-week-without-lectures-but-that-we’re-not-allowed-to-call-reading-week week. So what have I done?.. Honestly?.. Probably not enough. I have been really ill. Like, really, really ill. Death’s door almost.. I was diagnosed with what could have only been also better known as the dreaded,

‘MAN FLU’

I did manage to get to the library a couple of the days. Once to return a book I loaned because someone else had reserved it – I hate it when that happens.

Other than that, I’ve been tweaking my CV and getting more ideas about what jobs I want to apply for. I’ve have also applied for another graduate scheme after receiving my first rejection email:

Screw it. I didn’t want to work there anyway (honest!)… Onwards and upwards and we await replies from the others.

I asked someone what else I could talk about in my blog this week and she raised an excellent point:

‘Talk about Bonfire night - how the whole thing is a little odd. We, the English, still celebrate a burning a bloke on a fire for trying to blow up parliament with lots of mini explosions.. And surely many more people have come closer to bombing us now, and really we should just forgive him? Oh, and obviously how toffee/chocolate covered apples should be available in shops all year round’

Excellent points, all well made.

The video shows the fireworks display that I have been to every year for four years. This year looked spectacular...and to music to boot! This year I didn't go; I put on a firework display all of my own which, I am sure everyone who was there would agree was on a par with Platt Fields'.

Over the next week I’ve got lots to do to make sure I catch up with the things I should have done last week. Including, collating the latest LPD activities for the portfolio, continuing with the HRM coursework due two weeks today (eeek!) and looking at the next pieces due before Christmas… Fab.

Cool, see you same place next week then…

Terrah!

Wk4 – Careers Appointment and Graduate Schemes

I was a bit concerned that I wouldn’t have much to write this week as I had nothing out of the ordinary in my diary – and i’m not far wrong…

Hmmm... so what have I actually done this week?? Well, after a weekend of CV writing I had to make sure I got in to see someone at the careers service to get some advice on the structure/content etc etc…

So I did. After finding out the only way to get an appointment is by ringing up at 9am on the day and hoping to get one, I set a wake-up alarm on the Tuesday night.. and it’s a good job I did! When I called there were only two appointments available apparently. I went to the 15 minute appointment – and if I’m completely honest, it wasn’t very helpful. At all. The careers service website it fantastic so I think from now on I’ll stick to using that. So instead, I sent my CV to a couple of friends to look over and see what they think and get other tips and opinions.

I’ve started to focus on the 4 hand-ins that are due before we break up at Christmas too. A lot of work, and not really a lot of time…I’d better get a move on! I've got two essays, HRM and Library Resource Management, a Digital Libraries report and built library collection and of course, this LPD portfolio.

I’ve been applying for graduate schemes and have completed three applications so far. Some of them are very, very time consuming! I’ll be hoping to hear back about the next stages in the next couple of weeks and if I don’t.. 

‘If we have not contacted you within this time frame please consider your application unsuccessful on this occasion’

So fingers crossed then.

The areas that I've been applying for have mainly been market research, data/customer analysis and HRM.

I won’t post the league tables every week but if you’d like to keep up to date with how we’re doing please see the Manchester Metropolitan University section of the BUCS website and select: Football - Womens - 1sts/2nds

I’ve got no classes next week, our department has an ‘officially unofficial’ reading week so I’ll mostly be in work/the library…but to end the week I’ve got my housemates birthday and the Warehouse Project to look forward to… but more about that at a later date.

Since someone made a comment about my sign-off style I’ll leave instead by saying… 

HAPPY HALLOWEEN…now roll on Bonfire Night!

Photo 1: From http://www.yell.com/jobs/information/careers-advice-Q&A - accessed 31/10/2010

Photo 2: From http://news.getaroom.com/ - accessed 31/10/2010

Wk3 - Curriculum-bloody-Vitaes

I came home (home, home. With the parents) this weekend. For one main reason, to get some work done! I handed in my first piece of assessed coursework this week (final year project proposal) and have finally got a bit of a gap before the next hand in so need to start thinking about jobs – and applying for some too! My final year project is a research project based on the Arts for Health archive housed at MMU. The working title goes a little like this:

'To what extent has the Queens Park Hospital, Blackburn been involved with the Arts for Heath movement and how has this involvement aided further development and growth in Arts for Health?'

So, I’m sat here, on a Saturday night in (yawn) trying to write my CV. And as much as I’ve looked online for advice and help, at MMU’s Careers Service and The Guardian’s careers pages I have absolutely no idea what to write to make me stand out from the (massive) crowd. I haven’t had a CV since I was 15 and I went for my first job. Since then I’ve either sent application forms or just, sort of…fallen into jobs! A major issue I have with writing a CV is, I absolutely HATE talking about myself. I’d love it if someone would write it for me – and I don’t mean that in a ‘I can’t be bothered’ way. I’d happily write someone else’s. A CV-writing swap service – now that’s one for the Dragon’s Den.

The benefit of getting my CV done is two-fold. I can start applying for some graduate schemes and secondly I can submit my stage 1 application for the MMU Professional Passport. To be awarded the Passport I have to complete several different activities:

Stage 1:

1)      Complete all sections of the application form and submit alongside...

2)      An up to date copy of my CV.

3)      Attend two workshops, ‘Amazing online application forms’ and ‘How to write great CVs’.

Stage 2:

4)      Attend two workshops, ‘Successful Interviews – Stand Out From The Crowd’ and ‘How To Present Like A Professional’

5)      Panel interview.

6)      5 minute presentation on any topic.

As well as completing my first hand-in of the year and attempting to write my CV, this week I have also concentrated on continuing to compile things for my LPD portfolio, using the Prospects website to search for jobs and I attended the first of the two required workshops, ‘Amazing online application forms’. The workshop was actually really helpful (which, if i'm honest..did surprise me). I've been looking at graduate schemes and 99% of them do ask you to complete competency based questions before submitting a CV. On Friday I visited the Arts for Health archive for the first time. I collected a lot of information to take away and start picking through and got the chance to speak to Peter Senior, the Arts for Health, Manchester founder.

Joshua Radin @ Manchester Academy 1. 17/10/10

Other than course related work this week I’ve been busy as usual. Sunday evening, I went to a gig at Manchester Academy with my sister…an excellent end/start to a week.

Wednesday was the start of our football season and the beginning of my football managerial career... The 1^st team beat Keele University 10-0 and my 2^nd team beat University of Chester 7-3! – an EXCELLENT start.

1st team league table: 21/10/10

2nd team league table: 21/10/10

Looking at the diary I seem to have nothing but the standard (uni and work) planned for the next week… those types of weeks always turn out to be the busiest in the end.

But I’m sure I’ll let you know,

Until then..

Peace out.




Photo 1: Brennan, R., 2010. Joshua Radin and Band. [Photograph]
Photo 2: From http://www.bucs.org.uk/fl/api.asp?apiStartCode=msoclubsteams:197 accessed 24th October 2010
Photo 3: From http://www.bucs.org.uk/fl/api.asp?apiStartCode=msoclubsteams:197 accessed 24th October 2010

Wk2 - First Aid, Phone Calls and Five Nasty Hangovers.

How does the week go by so quickly?!

Here I am again, wondering what I should tell you all (I actually only have one ‘follower’ (THANKS KATE!) but we live in hope..). The pressure to make this blog even remotely interesting is intense – because if nobody else reads it I, at least, want to be somewhat entertained when remembering what I have been up to this term.

I am in fact a very different person writing to you than one week ago. I am now a qualified Emergency First Aider. Over Monday and Tuesday evening I completed 6 hours of training (giving CPR to plastic dolls and wrapping each other up in bandages) and sat through some gruesome descriptions of breaks and fractures. I never want to hear the word ‘crepitus’ again..( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crepitus) – to say I am squeamish is an understatement so I’m pretty impressed with myself.

I work on Tuesdays. I love speaking to enquirers on the phone,helping and advising them about the courses we offer and what qualifications they need – however, Wednesday was MMU’s University-wide undergraduate Open Day so most phone calls went a bit like this..

‘Hello, Course Enquiries, Rachel speaking’

‘Oh hi, I want to come to the Open Day tomorrow but the website say’s it’s full.’

‘Yes, that’s right. Unfortunately, we’re not taking any further bookings for this event. There will be a Mini
Open Day in December, which you can book onto
through the website after these Open Days have passed.’

‘Oh right, so I can’t come tomorrow?’

‘No, we’re expecting the event to be at total capacity I’m afraid.’

‘Oh, oh right, OK. Well OK then. Thanks. Erm, bye.’

One word…awkward!

The event was busier than it has ever been. We had over 9500 visitors! Luckily, I wasn’t working on Wednesday (I don’t always duck out of these events, I have done my fair share over the past couple of years!).

No, Wednesday is my football day.

Wednesday 20^th October (next week) is the first day of the BUCS season so we used this session to have a 1^sts vs 2^nds match. And the results were fantastic! We have two excellent teams this year and will be pushing for promotion in both divisions. After the match I had a meeting with our potential sponsor – I won’t say too much until negotiation is finalised and contracts have been signed but it is looking very promising and I am very excited.

On a typical term-time Thursday I spend the day in University. I have two 2hour classes and plenty of time to prepare for next weeks sessions or complete any exercises or reading/research that needs to be done. Yesterday I also had to squeeze in returning two very almost overdue library books, popping into the activities office at the Students’ Union and holding a committee meeting with my five very hungover committee members – aaaah Thursday hangovers ♥

So, as I write this it is Friday. I realise that I have told you a lot about my extra-curricular activities and not so much about my course or all the hard work(!) I do put in. That is because I am planning a big weekend library session.

Things on my list to complete:

1. first draft of project proposal (in time for meeting with project supervisor on Monday).
2. make some progress with CV writing.
3. find at least 3 graduate schemes I may want to apply for.
4. upload this blog!





Next weeks blog will be full of more course-related news and excitement including my progress with the MMU Professional Passport scheme that I have decided to take part in, my first hand-in of the year and cracking on with essays due in November.

Until then dear reader.

Peace out.

Photo 1: http://www.sig-tec.com/contact.html - via Google image search - accessed 17th Oct 2010
Photo 2: http://www.instantreversephonelookup.com/how-to-find-cell-phone-owner - via Google image search - accessed 17th Oct 2010
Photo 3: http://www.mmu.ac.uk/careers/students-and-graduates/professional-passport/ - accessed 17th Oct 2010.

Wk1 - On your marks, get set, BLOG!

So, here we are..
I've heard a lot about this blogging malarky, and even read a few too.. i've never really fancied it myself though. Strikes me as a thing for people with nobody to talk to to do, in the hope that someone, somewhere (out there in this 'blogosphere') will find them.


This is a forced blog. I am a final year undergraduate student at Manchester Metropolitan University studying BSc (Hons) Information Management. One of the units I (again, am forced to) take is LPD (or Learning and Professional Development, for those not so in the know). As part of our assessed coursework, we have been asked to keep a weekly blog for one term. The aim of the blog is to keep our tutor, the wonderful Bob Glass (a few extra marks in the bag there?) up to date with what we have actually been doing throughout term one…

Since it’s Monday lunchtime, I really haven’t done much at all this week – shower, coffee, attended another of my excellent classes Library Resource Management (I hope you’re reading Bob!). So instead, I will use this entry as an introduction to ME. Bob has asked us to tell you what we get up to inside and outside of our university course and I do have a lot of extra-curricular activities on the go.

Football is my passion (so forgive me for wittering on a bit too much for the next paragraph). I am the chairwoman of the University’s Womens’ Football Club and there isn’t a day that goes by when I don’t have to make a phone call or send an email to keep the Club running smoothly. 

We’re in our 15^th year and for the first time we’ve moved from one team to two, very exciting…but it does mean the workload grows exponentially. I love being involved with the Athletic Union and genuinely believe Womens’ Football is the best club out there.  We train on a Monday evening and play competitively in the BUCS (British Universities and College Sports) league every Wednesday afternoon.

I also work for the University on a part time basis as a member of the Course Enquiries Team (please note, these views are my own and do not represent those of MMU). I love this job and recognise I probably do work more than what is academically advisable but I’m a typical student with rent and bills to pay (and, yes, i'm always skint).

I think that’s enough for now…I’m starting to bore myself. I’ll be back next week to update you with all my exciting activities.

Peace out.




Photo 1: From http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150226780810705&set=o.135347643153659 - accessed 11th October 2010