I do love the fact that I now have a specific purpose to write a blog - I do have a personal blog which I write which is mainly filled with rambles, ideas and updates regarding my studies but not one with a specific purpose like this one, where reflecting upon professional development and utilising my skills to communicate my aspirations, my ambitions and where I want to be in the future.
This blog will focus upon how I have developed my communication and interpersonal skills, as well as my role within the University of Derby Students' Union Raise and Give Committee.
Communication:
I have always been someone who has been perceived as pain-stakingly shy, reserved with not a lot to say for myself and at times, I have been described as awkward. This was before I came to study at the University of Derby where I was thrown in the deep-end with seminars, meeting new people who I would study and work with over the next three years and getting involved with the Students' Union (this leads onto the next bit of my story shortly).
Gradually I felt myself talking to random people in queues, voicing my concerns and opinions in a structured and efficient manner, and the 'shakes' stopped whenever I gave a presentation to over 50 people. I even plucked up the courage to stand for the History Society's Social Secretary in February 2012 against a second-year music student who was a lot more vocal than I was. I won with the majority vote, and this is what really set the ball rolling.
People knew my name, and wanted to be a part of what I was doing. I met a wide range of likeminded people and understood the importance of a diary... meetings, events, Union Council, and the Union Awards Ceremony in April. I found myself flourishing and I was anxious with the idea of sitting at home after the first year doing nothing, so pushed myself to research for my chosen career and look into finding a work placement from June to September.
I also applied for the Vice Chair position of the RAG committee... this leads onto the next part of this blog.
RAG, Public Relations... a step towards my dream job.
After successful obtaining a phone interview with VP of Development Jess MacDonald, it was decided that whilst I was the right candidate for RAG, my skills would be better utilised as the Promotions and Publicity Rep - basically Marketing and Public Relations. This alongside being elected for the History Society's Social Secretary for the 2012/13 full term boosted my confidence and gave me an insight as to what I enjoy, and what I am good at.
It seems communication, creative writing, project management and socialising are key and this was proven as I completed a three month unpaid internship as a Public Relations assistant at Bournville College in Birmingham where I managed press releases and interviewing success stories which were published on the Bournville College website.
This resulted in an excellent working relationship between myself and the Marketing Manager, and I have been accepted to carry out my Work Based learning module there in September 2013 (starting in early May as I am too excited to wait). The project is confidential so I will not be able to discuss in details until things are clarified and such, but it is definitely the right way to go in terms of professional development.
This year I am working with RAG on a variety of events to raise money for three charities, and with this blog I will be reporting my experiences and reflecting on how they have helped me to develop and become more self-aware as an individual and what I want to achieve.
Thank you for reading, I will update again soon.
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