WHaT ABOUT THE STUDENTS?
THE SECRET DIARY OF… A 20 YEAR OLD STUDENT
We delve into the latest diary entries of three English students as they approach the world of work…
Mona Tabarra, 20, is studying English Literature at the University of Bristol.
“Over the past couple of months I have taken an interest in a career in the often forgotten third sector. The appeal
to working in the charity sector descends from an interest I have in working with people and doing a job which offers a reward beyond financial benefits. This interest has led me to attend two university run events in recent weeks. “The first was an ethical careers fair. While I came out clutching some handy leaflets, I must admit I left the panel discussion a little disillusioned. The panel discussion included a variety of professional representatives from the charity sector. While they all agreed their job was rewarding, I felt a heavy emphasis was placed on the insecurities of the job which left me doubting my previous convictions. Lack of funding means the reality of the charity sector is that jobs are often temporary, and underpaid. “Still keen to learn more, I attended a
university run conference about working in international development. This was an inspiring day which tackled the complex issues associated with the moral and practical issues associated with foreign development from a variety of angles. While I am still undecided as to which career path to commit to, this investigation has encouraged me to seek further work experience in the third sector.”
Anna Pitts, 20, is studying English Language at the University of Sussex
“I wasn’t sure what to expect for my second year of uni. Everyone has an idea of first year as being a ‘fresher’ and
having fun, and third year as when you knuckle down and do scary things like dissertations. But what about second year – the time when you need to start making decisions? I’m officially half way through my degree and still don’t feel worldly wise, in control of my life or certain about my future. I’m hurtling towards end of the year module exams – and hence the completion of 40% of my final degree grade- at great speed and the prospect is terrifying. “I’m starting to think about what happens after my little safe university bubble is popped. I’ll have to enter the real world of work and responsibility – a notion so scary yet monumentally exciting that it makes me feel very strange. I love my current position as a marketing assistant and am seriously considering it as my career after university. “The next step is getting there! Alarm bells have started to ring that I currently have no career-focused plans for this summer- I really should be securing an internship or more experience, but the skills I’m gaining in my job at the moment are invaluable to my future career, so an internship isn’t a priority. And, to be honest I am far more focused on passing the summer exams, so my future is going to have to take a backseat at present. I’ll worry about it when I get there!”
“I’m starting to think about what happens after my little safe university bubble is popped.
>>
Kate Samuelson, 20, is studying English Literature
at the University of Bristol.
“I’ve faced various dents to my confidence this month; my first 2:2 on an essay, and being
rejected from the Cancer Research graduate scheme were particularly depressing. I still have no clue about what I actually want to do in the future. It’s hard to feel motivated to work when time is stretching out before me like an endless blank page. “Yet I am trying to see it as a glass-half- full situation. Instead of panicking (like I did towards the end of last year) about graduating, I am now embracing a gap year. Certainly, medical and veterinary students do not have to go through the painful process of wondering what to do when they leave uni, yet they also miss out on the sense of excitement and mystery that non-vocational undergraduates feel. “I’ve been thinking a lot about travelling and I think I could really benefit from some time out before I fall into the 9-5 routine of the working world. I aim to work for at least a quarter of a year, spend another quarter doing work experience (hopefully an internship abroad), and then the second half I’ll spend travelling. My continent of choice to visit is South America – specifically Ecuador, Brazil and Argentina.”
With thanks to GRB (
www.grb.uk.com) for its student contacts…
GRADUATE RECRUITER 31
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