AUEE conferance at Cranfield University

I write furiously while at the same time giving her a glance and making that acknowledging nod. But it’s no use. My quotes are in a mess and I can’t keep up with her answer. Damn. I knew I should’ve practised that shorthand. Next time I’ll have to be ready, but I guess it was a good experience...

If haven’t noticed, I was talking about an interview I did at a two day conference, in Cranfield University. And oh yes; this was work experience.

Universities need to give students the opportunity of work experience. The harsh reality is, it’s the only real ‘x factor’ which makes you stand out in terms of getting a job.

As a Journalism student my future career mainly depends in my contacts and any work experience I may have. I need to write and publish whatever material I can in order to have some evidence of my work as well as being different, from the rest of the ever increasing journalism students out there. So being asked to do the press coverage as a reporter, for a two day conference about how universities can contribute to help rebuild the economy, should’ve been the best that happened to me. But, I was nervous. More nervous in fact, than arachnophobe standing in front of a mirror with a daddy long leg on her head.

To be honest, I had other things on my mind like assignment deadlines, hospital appointments and fixing a computer which didn’t work. But then I thought about it. How much work experience have I actually done? Just a few days in the Herald & Post won’t get me ‘National Student Journalist of the Year’ award. So I moved my hospital appointment to another date, left my assignments on hold, and lost hope in fixing my broken computer. Now I was ready for the conference.

Some of my fellow journalism students also came along to get the experience so I felt comfortable that people were here in the same position as myself. Our main jobs were to write up a news story after every speech or workshop that occurred in the conference, with some help from our very kind and experienced journalism lecturers.

What was the hardest part of the whole experience? Probably waking up to a freezing -5 at 5:00am. But one thing that stuck in my mind was when I was in a workshop full of different industry specialists and heads of departments of various business and economic organisations. I didn’t have a clue about what they were talking about. My job was just to note what they say and so that’s what I did. But it was interesting to hear what they said. They were talking about how universities have helped their local communities, with the previous University of Luton in particular. I thought it was interesting because they helped rebuild and refocus the lives of the Vauxhall workers who were made redundant after the factory closed down ten years ago. Luton University staff trained these people and gave them the confidence and skills they needed to get back on the job market.

The conference press coverage was less ‘nerve-racking’ than I had presumed. All these experienced people and industry specialists did obviously make me nervous at first but I actually felt quite relaxed around them. Most of them were very friendly and often introduced themselves to me, rather than the other way round, which was quite welcoming.

The great thing was my transport to and from the conference was paid for by the university so that was very helpful. And free buffets; who can deny that?

Near the end of the conference I had a little interview with the UoB Vice Chancellor, Les Ebdon who’s also the chair of the AUEE (Associations of Universities in the East of England) which organised the conference. He was telling me students will find it hard in the global recession: “It’s typical of recession that younger people are the ones being affected mostly.”

He told me three pieces of advice for students who are going to enter the job market after finishing University this year.

1. The financial and economical crisis is affecting the job market but he says to students: “You clearly have to be flexible in where you work”. This means if you really want a job you have to be prepared to move to a totally different place because maybe the job that you want won’t be inside your town or city.
2. Secondly he says: “You may decide it appropriate to take a gap year to do something that will give you the experience”. But this gap year should be one that it is productive. Just sitting at home all won’t help at all. You have to get up, go out there and do some research. Look for something you really want to do and go do it. Try lots of different things, because this is the time to do it.
3. Lastly he mentions students should: “Be persistent if you know what you have to do and work harder.” This means never giving up on something you really want to do. There’s always a way around a problem – it’s just the case of you putting the effort in.

The Vice Chancellor stills thinks even in this global recession, people in the long term will definitely benefit from coming to University: “I still think and all the evidence is there that investing in yourself, investing in education is the best investment you can make.”

The whole experience was much better than I thought it would be. It made me more confident in myself and also told me the areas in which I need to improve on. This is what work experience is all about and I just hope the University of Bedfordshire creates more of these ‘rare’ opportunities for students, who will benefit immensely. More so than any 2500 word essay could...

Barack Hussain Obama - i just watched him become president

Yes, i watched the inaugural speech speech of Americas new president on BBC1 - a recorded version actually. I was stuck helping a friend finish off his assignments, so came home a tad bit late than usual. But luckily my Sky + box came to the rescue, (as i had placed it on record) and so i was able to skip the boring bits, which was good. Unfortunately though i never skipped the singing. Was it me or didn't anyone find that women's singing a bit annoying? I'm not usually an offensive person but those awkward high notes she pulled off felt so out of place in the inauguration. But i guess she was there to represent something different, a 'change'. But anyhow, it seems like hope might be there for the Americans just yet after the fresh Obama hits centre stage. Its his confidence, charisma and enthusiasm, which i think, really stands out from every other president America has had. Although you could say all presidents had to have these qualities. Or it could just really be the fact that he was black. Whatever the reason maybe, the Americans liked him, and so did the rest of the world. I mean Ahmadinejad even sent him a bloody congratulations card!

It was also interesting to hear the presidents full name as now Barack 'Hussain' Obama. I guess he wanted to still incorporate his 'Muslim' heritage, along with trying to stimulate a relationship in the middle east. Anyway But knowing American media, it will probably never catch on, unless someone makes a big fuss of it. But 'Barack Obama' is short and catchy and the 'original' name people knew him by so i think this will stay as his usual name - not that I'm saying adding 'Hussain' is bad. Anyway, i do hope he succeeds in his ambitions but i also hope he does something about the occupation of Gaza. Not stating the obvious but every Muslim probably thinks the same. I guess only time can tell...

Here i go...In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

This is weird. I never in my life thought i'd be doing a blog. But seeing everyone else do one...well i just thought to myself, i cant get left behind. Ok, i know, i'm really behind, but who cares? As the old saying goes "better late than never". I dont really do things late. I'm usually quite an organised person. Just not so organized to do a Blog.

I always thought doing blogs was just a waste of my precious time. Time that could be spent on watching anime, playing the Legend of Zelda, playing football, playing this , playing that....yup the list goes on. But that was the old me anyway. Since my college days, back in 2006 (i'm at University right now) i actually really started to focus on my studies and on my religion. I guess a sort of matured during then. But thats another story. I guess my main reason for starting a blog was because i have a lot to say, regarding the experiences i've gone through and the people i've met. Also being a journalism student this would help, get me into the habit of writing. But for now, i have to actully try to get used to this and blog regularly.