In first year I went about finding myself a
part-time job in order to help fund my living costs, but to also further
enhance my skills and to also develop some new ones. Having a part-time job has
consequently helped improve my communication skills, my IT skills and my
overall confidence, as well as enabling me to help others and to feel
great in doing so.
In addition to gaining work experience, in my second year I
went on to get more involved within both the Students’ Union and my course
departments. I became a member of the Sheffield Volunteering working committee,
helping to create campaigns to further promote the fantastic work of Sheffield
Volunteering across the University campus. Once again I was enhancing my
skills whilst also working alongside others as a team, with regular commitment
to meetings, stalls, events and more. I was also a student representative for
the Student Staff Committee for one of my departments, allowing me to speak on
the behalf of students, whilst also enabling me to contribute to discussions
and questions posed.
Although I admit that at times I found it difficult to
juggle my commitments, especially around the time of deadlines, I thoroughly enjoyed
my experiences in second year and loved being as proactive as I was. I could
increasingly recognise the skills I was developing through my wide engagement
across the University and could also see myself evolving as a person.
In the
run up to my third and final year, I decided to run for positions on two
committees; the Sheffield Volunteering committee (again) and the Politics
Society committee. Having always enjoyed holding roles of responsibility, I put
myself forward for a more challenging position within the Sheffield
Volunteering committee, one that would involve sending regular emails, devising
rotas, leading training sessions and so much more. Throughout the role I have
had to find ways to adapt the way I do things, whilst also prioritising and
organising myself as effectively as possible.
Having now completed half of my
final year, I have increasingly come to recognise that when it comes to job
applications, it really helps to have a wide range of real life examples
whereby you have demonstrated various skills and qualities. I would therefore
strongly advise you to get involved in a range of activities alongside your
degree, to help provide you with a diversity of experience and skills
development.
Ellie (Third year BA Politics and Sociology)
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