AHSS Students Takin’ Care of Business in Brussels (extended version)

Posted on 24th September 2018 by

MyFuture, the online Queen’s Careers Management Platform, offers students countless opportunities to apply for part-time jobs, internships in firms relating to their degree field, and Queen’s Career Programmes. The Brussels Workplace Study Tour, organised by Tom Mervyn and Greta Campbell from the Queen’s Careers, Employment & Skills team, offered AHSS students the chance to spend a week in Brussels exploring internship and graduate opportunities.

Aoife Marken, MA in International Business Law and Student Assistant for Careers Employability and Skills at the SGC Hub, and I were among the lucky 24 students selected from the competitive application pool to attend the tour. Back in early June I sat down with Aoife to share and evaluate our experiences….

MM: How did you first hear about the Tour and what tips would you give to a student applying for similar Workplace Tour experiences?

AM: I actually heard about the trip through my job in the Student Guidance Centre as part of the Employability & Skills Department when I saw an upcoming workshop scheduled. From there I went onto MyFuture to find out more details about the tour. I would strongly recommend not just reading about the tour on MyFuture but attending the information sessions which explain what the study tour entails, which will subsequently help you with your application and heighten your chances of securing a place on the trip.

AHSS students relaxing after a long day of employer visits and networking in the EU institutions in Brussels, admiring the neoclassical architecture of the Royal Palace of Brussels.

MM: As a History and Politics student, my favourite visit of the tour had to be the Ibec presentation hosted by Shane Lyster. His concerns focusing on the gap that Britain will leave in the EU’s budget, requiring member states to make a greater financial contribution, and the effect of this on populist politics across Europe was a thought-provoking perspective on the impact of Brexit. Which workplace visit on the trip did you enjoy the best and why?

AM: My highlight would have to be the Hume Brophy visit. In comparison to all the other organisations we were exposed to it felt the most down to earth, and the employees spoke very candidly about their work experience and work environment. On a more personal level, it gave me an insight into a field of work I’d never considered before, and showed me how my degree and skill-set could be transferred and utilised in a lobbying organisation within the sociopolitical sphere, both in Europe and closer to home in the UK and Ireland.

Shane Lyster, Senior Executive for European Affairs at Ibec Europe, discussing the benefits of Erasmus study and multilingual proficiency when applying for internships and graduate opportunities with Ibec.

MM: The QUB Language Centre offers all students the unique opportunity to study language classes alongside your degree (course registration for language classes in Semester one runs from the 1st September until 4th October). Do you think it is an advantage to study a language when applying for internships/graduate opportunities in Brussels?

AM: For Brussels specifically, from what I found from the tour, you will have little to no success in applying for internships and graduate jobs alike without at least some language proficiency beyond a GCSE standard. Most wanted at least A Level standard in one if not two languages other than English! I myself do not have any language skills beyond GCSE Spanish and so I did feel at a disadvantage every time it was mentioned. The only exception was Hume Brophy, a firm established in Dublin who didn’t have additional language skills as a prerequisite.

The European Parliament, European Commission (a group photo of our group’s visit to the European Commission can be seen above) and the European Committee of the Regions were three of the EU institutions visited on the Tour. Check out the open competitions regularly published at epso.europa.eu for Traineeships and Permanent Contracts in diverse fields such as law, translation services, communications and finance. Although selection procedures are rigorous, sample tests, training and support can be found on the applications page at epso.europa.eu

MM: Can you give us a brief introduction to networking, and how did it help you during the tour?

AM: Networking is a way that individuals exchange information, about themselves or their business, in order to build up a portfolio of contacts which they can use at a later date, should they require them. This can often be the exchange of a business card, email or even just a simple LinkedIn request or link to their profile. Networking on the tour allowed me to gain contacts which can come in useful as you enter the graduate market. It is a skill that you become more familiar with the more that you are exposed to it, and as you mature you realise that the formal barrier between yourself as a student and the individuals you are networking with starts to lower and conversation begins to flow more readily.
Moreover, being outside of Northern Ireland and being able to network with individuals who have ventured further afield for a career in Europe was both inspiring and eye-opening when learning about their professional career development and about the skill-set needed to pursue a career in Europe.

MM: Do you think the tour has increased your employability and made you want to live and work in Brussels?

AM: Attending any study tour undoubtedly gives you something to put on your CV to help differentiate yourself, but the diverse range of workplaces we had the opportunity to visit in Brussels I feel has great potential to increase employability. It acts as a good talking point in interviews and helped expand my understanding of both businesses and the European institutions at such a crucial time in political history with Brexit looming.

In Leuven, the AB InBev workshop stressed the importance of social media management skills with tips on how to create an engaging, insightful LinkedIn profile to network with various Brussels employers. Recruitment cycles for graduate programmes and apprenticeships with the Brewery start in September. For more visit eu.abinbevcareers.com

MM: As the penultimate day of the tour drew to a close, our group flocked toward the square in front of the European Parliament-the Place du Luxembourg-on the search for networking opportunities among the swarms of EU employers, interns and lobbyists, and departed several hours later with stacks of business cards. With Fresher’s about to descend upon the campus, how do interns in the EU institutions utilise the Place du Luxembourg to their advantage in terms of networking to gain employment?

AM: Like many large metropolitan cities, interns and young professionals use after work drinks as a type of informal networking. I think it gives them a chance outside of the office to interact with other young professionals over a drink rather than across a desk or boardroom table. Everyone appeared to have come straight from work still in their work clothes, thus it was a very relaxed atmosphere!

GO GLOBAL WEEK

  • Come along to the Opportunities in Europe session on Tuesday 23rd October 12-1pm
  • There is also an International Fair on Wednesday 24th October 12-3pm. You can speak to the tour participants here!

Michael McConway

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Interview with Disney Producer, Raymond Lau

Posted on 14th February 2018 by Emma Lennox

For issue 8, we interviewed the Disney Producer, Raymond Lau and here’s the full version of our interview with him.

Can you tell us what projects you are currently working on?

I have just finished up on the second season of The Lodge for Disney which takes up quite a bit of time. January to March is always quite a busy time with pre-production for shows that shoot in May. When not shooting however, it is also a good time for programme development. The key to any successful production is to find the time when you can to try and get the next commission. At Zodiak Kids UK, there is always something in development, but there are several projects I am working on at the moment for various potential markets. Unfortunately, until they are lucky enough to be given the green light, no-one will ever say what they are developing in any great detail.

Raymond LauWhat happens when you do get the green light for commission?

If you get commissioned in Children’s Drama or Comedy its typical that you shoot in the summer holidays when you have most access to young talent who are still at school. So working back, it takes roughly four to six months to write a script for a typical 10-15 part series depending on the budget and how you run the writing team. Then there is between eight and twelve weeks to shoot it, another twelve to edit, dub and deliver the series ready for transmission and about four to six weeks pre-production to build the sets, rehearse, sort locations etc… so adding that up you can see it takes the guts of a year to do one series.

How did you get to where you are today?

As I said at the RTS Futures event, I got where I am today by complete accident. I did not ever think in my wildest dreams I would end up making a teen musical drama for Disney. I didn’t ever think I would be making kids content at all to be honest. What I did have though was a passion for television, especially for comedy, and that lead me to where I am today.

When I went to university in Manchester, I went with the belief I wanted to be a journalist and I got involved in the student magazine and became the features editor. Uni is great because it gives you an outlook in life and a feeling that anything is possible. Not wanting to sound like a really old fart, but in my student days, thankfully, I did not have tuition fees, I had a small grant and of course the student loan (to the maximum of £5k per year) which I think rose to £6.5k in the final year. I left Manchester with a degree in humanities and £10k of debt – nothing compared to what it is now. I could not imagine how it feels to leave uni and not be sure of a job with perhaps £50k of debt.

With no real job offers as a journalist, I found myself in Belfast and in need of doing something. I used to DJ at weekends to make ends meet. I then applied for E-force media training which no longer exists. It was essentially an NVQ in journalism and radio techniques, but it offered an unpaid placement with BBC NI. I went for my first placement interview three weeks into the course as runner for Children in Need, I had always watched it and naively thought, this is my big chance to make it less cheesy, more fun. That is how green I was. Needless to say I was shocked when I didn’t get it.

That proved to be a blessing though as, shortly after, the BBC contacted E-force to look for a runner for the studio recording of the first full series of Give My Head Peace with the Hole in Wall Gang. The producer was Jackie Hamilton, who also ran the Empire Comedy `club and I was lucky enough to get what would turn out to be my dream start. Working for Jackie and the Hole in the Wall Gang was fantastic. I then started going to the comedy club and within a short space of time, I was running the night for Jackie. It was being up close and personal with comics that made me decide that comedy was where I wanted to be. I stayed on for the second series of Give My Head Peace and did a panel show called Saints and Scholars, again with Irish comics who I was seeing on stage at the Empire. It all felt right to me, and I was in the right place at the right time. I am a firm believer in luck and being around at the right time.

I can trace the points from then to now where I was fortunate to meet the right people who were looking for something I could help them with. I spent two years working as a freelancer with indies like Wild Rover and Moondog productions before I again got lucky when I applied for the BBC Network Trainee Producer scheme in Entertainment. There were over 2000 applicants and I was one of the lucky six. From training in the Entertainment department locally and nationally for the BBC, I got my first Assistant Producer contract. I was again fortunate to get my first commission which was a show called The Blame Game for BBC Radio Ulster and then BBC1 NI. The Blame Game got me my first producer credit and I spent a total of ten years in the BBC, eventually leaving in 2012 as Network Comedy Development Producer.

Shortly after leaving, a comic friend, rang me to ask if I knew anything about a sitcom being made in Belfast for the BBC. I contacted Northern Ireland Screen who thought I might be interested in the Producer job on the show. Again, timing and luck – it turned out to be a kid’s sitcom called Dani’s Castle being made by my current employers Zodiak Kids. I got the job and we did 3 series over 3 years. Alongside that I managed to get my first Radio 4 comedy commission with my own indie called Irish Micks and Legends with the fantastic Aisling Bea and Yamine Akram.

In 2015, I was offered the chance to run development from Belfast for Zodiak Kids. Our first commission turned out to be The Lodge for Disney and three years later, I am still here and still working. As I say, very very lucky. The reason I am saying all this is to show how varied and broad the television sector can be, and how, if you are lucky enough, and have a passion for it, you can make a career out of it.

Raymond Lau 3

Have you got any plans for the future?

Unfortunately, I never really plan for the future – It’s been my downfall on more than one occasion, but I don’t think you can plan for the future in this industry. You can try and be ready for the future and pitch future projects, trying to guess what the future trends might be, but I think you must give your all in the now, certainly when it comes to production.

What would you recommend for university students to do, outside of their degree work?

I think it is so vital for media students regardless of their actual degree to do as much as possible themselves. We live in a digital age where hardware and software is so readily available and user friendly. No matter what you might be into, remember that content is key. Telling a story on a phone, iPad, computer, TV or cinema screen is why we are in this industry. I would advise those who wish to edit, to find things to edit; those who wish to operate camera, go find something to shoot, and those who want to direct, go and direct something. Learn as much as you can while you can, while you have the freedom and time to do it. There are dozens of roles to fill in the industry and if you have the passion and determination for it, you can find your niche.

How would you describe the media environment here in Northern Ireland?

The media environment in Northern Ireland is growing rapidly. There are really far more opportunities to get into the industry nowadays. New media (a term I hate) is revolutionising the industry. There are more and more jobs coming online for people who don’t really need to go to film school to direct, or slog for years to produce television. There are plenty of doors open to you and unlike when I was starting out, the BBC is not the only show in town.

Have you got any advice on how to network within the media sector?

If you are a student, please take the opportunity presented to you to meet with industry professionals. Do your research, find out who is working in the job you like the sound of and find out how to talk to them. Join something like the Media Therapy Group on Facebook. They meet several times a year and it’s a chance for like-minded people, new and established, to mingle and network.

What rules would you go by to ensure your social media stays professional, at the same time as displaying your personality?

I actually don’t have a rule sadly. I tend not to tweet or post about work too much although it’s not unheard of. It is actually really hard to separate potential work contacts with friends and family on social media. It would be cool if someone could invent a platform that separated work and personal life – I would say we would all want that no matter what the profession. There’s a challenge, let’s try and create an app for that!

Is there any particular terminology that someone should know whenever they start working in the media sector? For instance, what sort of terminology is important to know when working on a film set.

Professional terminology is important especially on a film set. There is another language to learn so my advice is to research it before you end up on a set, don’t show off when you do get there. Just listen, learn and make yourself noticed by being brilliant at what you are asked to do. Find a third assistant director (AD) they are about 6 months to a year ahead of you and will be the friendliest face you will encounter on a busy set.

Raymond Lau 2

(PM)

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Talking to Interational Students: Part 2

Posted on 6th February 2018 by Emma Lennox

Students at Queens’ come from a variety of different countries and backgrounds, as well as a range of gender, ages and ethnicities. There are many students that have travelled very far to attend QUB.  In Issue 7 of The Edit we spoke to Carina Hailey and Heather about their experiences of University and the path they may follow once they graduate. These girls gave us a great insight into what it is like to be an international student and, as promised, here is the rest of the article!

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Why did you choose to study at Queens University Belfast?

Carina: I chose to study at Queen’s University Belfast, because Belfast itself is a very interesting city and the University offered interesting modules.

Hailey:  Queen’s was my first choice when I was applying for UCAS. Firstly it is always about the reputation and studying environment. Queen’s was such a great place for me to enjoy foreign life while I could balance my studies as well. Then it comes to the consideration of cost. Living and studying in Northern Ireland cost me and my family less when comparing to other parts of the UK. I was in Oxford for 8 months before coming to Queen’s and I would say Belfast is more suitable for me in every way. (I was as well attracted by the spectacular Lanyon Building haha).

What are the biggest differences between your University experiences in Belfast compared to your experience of university back home?

Carina: The biggest differences are, that the Queen’s University is so much more organised and you can get help everywhere. And the tutorials and seminars are mostly super small – in my home university are ways more people in every module. And the Queen’s University has a campus, so all the buildings are quite close, whereas my home university has buildings spread all over the city (which can be time-consuming and you never really bump into people from other faculties).

Hailey: I wouldn’t comment much on this since I didn’t go to university in Hong Kong. But from what I’ve seen, university in Hong Kong might seems tougher due to the level of intense studying. Also, it wouldn’t be easily to go to university in Hong Kong. I think only 1 out of 7 secondary school students could get into university back in Hong Kong. I am not saying that university in UK are easier to entre but I would say there is more opportunity here.

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What do you like the most about living abroad?

Hailey: Studying aboard allows me to be more independent and tougher. I have to tackle most of problems by myself. But you never know where can you get if you never try. Knowing someone else culture is also one of the good thing studying aboard. I myself love travelling so I am enjoying what I have chosen.

Heather: The aspect I most like and desire about living abroad is the experiences and opportunities that I have been able to access through being in Rotterdam. For example, as a class trip we visited and toured the International Criminal Court which is set in The Hague. While we toured the Court, we were able to witness a hearing taking place which involved a case where the defendant had committed crimes against humanity.

What are the biggest differences between your University experiences in Rotterdam compared to your experience of University back home?

Heather: There are many differences between University in Rotterdam and University back home, not only socially but through the studies and finances also. It has been much easier in my opinion to make friends here than it was first starting University in N.I. I think the main reason for this is because the only bond we have in Rotterdam is the English Language and so you are able to make friends quickly based on the assumption that that is the only thing you have in common with all these different people from different cultures around the world.

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Are there any struggles you face as an international student? If so, what are they?

Carina: The struggles I face as an international student are less than expected, to be honest. I have to ask quite often, if local people can repeat what they said, because sometimes I don’t get the accent. But besides from that, I don’t have any struggles.

Hailey: I don’t think I could get to where I am today without struggles. Since I am away from home, homesick might be the biggest difficulty for me. Financial problem is also one thing I would have to manage my money well since studying aboard cost more on tuition fee.

Heather: As an International student there are a few struggles, which include language and currency. In the Netherlands, the level of English that everyone speaks here is good enough to not need the Dutch language. However, if I did not luckily live with two Dutch speakers I would have a lot of trouble with emails sent from the University and mail sent from the landlord etc. Not so much a struggle but more an annoyance, is the currency difference and having to exchange money all the time. Also another struggle; NO CADBURYS CHOCOLATE OR PRAWN COCKTAIL CRISPS

Would you encourage other students at Queens to study abroad?

Carina: Yes, definitely! Especially during your studies is the best time for any experience abroad. The university provides a social network, so you are never alone and receive a lot of help, if you want to. You can find new friends easily and get to know a new country. And you can visit a new university obviously, which is also super interesting.

Hailey: Definitely. Studying aboard it’s a great experience to challenge yourself and get to know your limit. It is also a wonderful chance to get to know other culture, which you might cannot experience back home.

Heather: Yes. I cannot encourage someone enough if they are thinking about it. I would not be here if my lecturer did not tell me he regretted having the year abroad experience. I decided last minute and applied as a “you only live once” dictum. I’ve only been here three months so far and it’s been the best experience of my life.

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Thank you so much to Hailey, Carina and Heather for sharing their experiences with The Edit. Hopefully this will inspire other students who are thinking of studying abroad or who are currently at Queens’ on a year out.

LS

 

 

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In Conversation with: Mark Carruthers

Posted on 2nd November 2017 by Emma Lennox

Mark Carruthers is something of a household name for anyone who follows Northern Ireland politics. One of QUB’s own alumni, graduating with a degree in Political Science and Irish Politics, Carruthers is largely known for his firm but fair, no nonsense attitude when interviewing highfalutin politicians. Now, with the shoe on the other foot, Carruthers sits on the hot seat as I have the opportunity to interview the interviewer.

What drew you to study politics at QUB?

It really wasn’t my first choice – but that’s a long story. Anyway I ended up loving the course, the place and the people, so I have no regrets.

Why did you specialise in Irish Politics for your M.S.Sc. – did you know vocationally that it was something you wanted to go into/ was it relevant for the time (late 80s –early beginnings of peace process) / personal interest?

I stayed on to do the M.S.Sc. in Irish Politics after my primary degree partly because I was genuinely interested in the subject and partly because I didn’t really have any better ideas about what to do next. It was a newish course at the time and people like Paul Bew were teaching it – and in fact he ended up supervising my thesis. I also reckoned I could be heading towards a career in journalism and it made sense to get as thorough a grounding in Irish politics as possible – and I think that’s something that’s stood me in good stead down the years.

When in freelance broadcasting, how did you go about getting contacts/stories/jobs?

You roll your sleeves up and get stuck in. Nobody hands you anything on a plate and you have to be a self-starter. You need to think up your own ideas, sell them and then make them happen. Getting a job still depends on having a solid portfolio of work that makes you stand out from the opposition. It’s a very competitive business and you need to work out where you are better than those around you and make that count.

How did you first get involved with the BBC?

I was finishing my Masters and working in the Belfast Festival’s press office and coming into contact with a lot of journalists. I started submitting interviews for the youth programme ‘The Bottom Line’ on Radio Ulster and writing pieces for various magazines like ‘Theatre Ireland’ and ‘Film Directions’. Eventually people in the BBC’s Radio Current Affairs department started taking my phone calls and I got my toe in the door. That was 1989 and I’ve been there or thereabouts ever since.

How did you go about researching your 2013 book? Did you ever think you would write a book? What surprised you about the process?

I’d published a book I co-edited with a colleague and friend quite a few years earlier – ‘Stepping Stones; the Arts in Ulster 1971-2001’ – so I had some idea of what was involved. Identity politics is something I’ve always been interested in and ‘Alternative Ulsters’ seemed like something I could deliver because of the people I’d met and got to know through many years of journalism and involvement in the arts here. It was a substantial workload – interviewing three dozen people face-to-face, transcribing and editing the conversations. And there was quite a bit of travel involved too because I ended up having to go to London and Dublin quite a bit and even to Rome to interview Mary McAleese and New York to speak to Liam Neeson – but it was worth it because the book was well-received and it sold well.

How do you control frustration if interviewees purposefully avoid a question? How do you remain cool-headed/unbiased?

Well that’s my job, so it doesn’t unduly bother me. If someone doesn’t answer a question it’s clear for everybody to see and it’s not my problem, really. I always say I just want a straight answer to a straight question. I tend to keep asking the question until it’s answered – and if it isn’t I will often refer to the fact that it’s being avoided. It’s virtually impossible to remain unbiased in everyone’s eyes when you’re conducting an interview, but as long as my colleagues and I feel what we’re doing is fair and balanced that’s what really matters – and we take that very seriously. I worked out a long time ago that it’s completely counter-productive for me to lose my temper.

What are your tips for interviewing?

Two things in particular. Preparation is key. You can’t ask intelligent questions if you don’t know the facts – so do your homework. And listen. You can’t ask informed questions if you’re not listening to what your interviewee is actually saying.

What is the best interview you have ever done?

There isn’t one in particular that leaps out. There have been a few exchanges I’ll remember, but to be honest I’ve done thousands of interviews down the years and I tend not to spend much time thinking about them when they’re done. Once it’s over it’s over.

Do you get nervous or worried if an interview doesn’t go the way you expect it to?

You do have to take it all seriously and there’s always a bit of nervous energy involved in conducting an interview – but too many nerves just get in the way. I can get a bit frustrated if an interview doesn’t go the way I’d hoped – but there’s not really any point in agonising over something once it’s done.

Is there anyone who inspired you to go into media/who are your inspirations/do you have inspirations?

I remember meeting the late Brian Farrell, the legendary RTE presenter, in Dublin when I was at Queen’s as a postgrad student. He took a group of us on a tour of the RTE studios and I was blown away by the experience. It was that, more than anything else, that convinced me I wanted to work in broadcasting. I still remember the thrill of that visit and, if I’m honest, I get a little sense of it even now every time I walk into a TV studio. I was always an admirer of both Barry Cowan and David Dunseith and I was privileged to work with them in the earlier stages of my career. These days I tip my hat in particular to David Dimbleby and Jon Snow.

What is the most difficult part of being a journalist? – do you enjoy your job?

I enjoy the challenge hugely, but it can be a bit of a slog when it’s busy. I always think if you stop enjoying it the time must have come to move on and do something else. So far I’ve never felt that.

As an advocate of theatre and the arts – what would you say to those who say there are few employment opportunities and therefore less reason to study arts/humanities/social sciences?

Well I wouldn’t agree with that at all. We can’t all be scientists and computer programmers and, for me, it’s all about people studying what they’re passionate about and then finding their niche in the world. I think the very fact that there’s a debate about the value of the humanities and the social sciences in some people’s minds is a nonsense – but I don’t really think many people actually believe that.

What is your opinion on social media as a tool of journalism?

Whether you like social media or not it is now well established as a journalistic tool. If you use Twitter properly, as a source of information from a vast array of individuals and organisations, it’s invaluable. If you just use it to read meaningless exchanges between people who have nothing of any substance to say you’re wasting your time.

What would you say is your greatest achievement in your career?

I’ve never really thought about it. I’m still doing the job I love after twenty-eight years, so I suppose that’s an achievement – and I’m pleased to have played my part in rebuilding the Lyric Theatre which re-opened in a brand new £18m home a couple of years ago.

Are there any interviews that did not go the way you expected – to either a positive or negative effect?

No interview ever goes exactly the way you expect it to – and that’s what makes it interesting. I’ve had a few occasions where interviewees have come close to getting up and walking out on me but, as yet, it’s never actually happened.

Do you find it challenging when roles switch and you become the interviewee?

I’m not going to lie – I’m much happier asking the questions than answering them!

Mark Carruthers, BBC

Mark Carruthers, BBC

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Create Your Own University Experience

Posted on 24th September 2017 by Emma Lennox

Freshers didn’t turn out the way you thought it would? All is not lost. This is how you can create your own university experience.

There’s a lot of buzz and excitement around campus when starting university. Everyone seems to be having a good time – going out, joining clubs, meeting new friends. It can seem like a scene plucked right out of a movie, the ideal most people associate with uni life. However, there is another side to Freshers, particularly for first years, which isn’t spoken about. Odds are you’ll have a lot of expectations for uni, with all the information you’re bombarded with by prospectuses, other students, posts and pictures online. But like most information communicated over social media, this may not be a realistic portrayal. University is not a one-size-fits-all experience.

Especially for Arts, Humanities and Social Science Students.

Meeting with the team behind The Edit and discussing Freshers, a common theme regarding university finally reared its head. With a lack of contact hours, big classes and most work being independent, there can feel like a lack of community on AHSS degrees, making it very easy to feel isolated. And none of us expected that. One of the characteristics of our school is that AHSS students are passionate about their subjects. So we all expected to meet people who were History heads, fired up about Film, that lived for Languages. We anticipated meeting our kind of people. Instead we were met with an overwhelming room of faces, for a few hours every week. As well as the generalised expectations we inherited about constant partying and the best years of our lives, our degree subjects came with a specialised set of expectations.

Our team agreed the worst thing about this experience was not knowing others were going through a similar situation. It isolates people. While this remains unspoken it remains unaddressed, allowing the false of ideal about uni life to thrive and student disillusionment and disappointment to continue. Siobhan O’Neill, Professor of Mental Health Sciences, identified a specific “pressure on students to be both socially and academically successful” (Belfast Telegraph). When we allow this ideal to embody success then this pressure can be overwhelming – defining a situation like Freshers’ Fair, or first semester or even the entire process of higher education.

There is a positive note to this article. Ironically, such isolation unites students struggling with the realities of university life as from it we can form a community. Here at The Edit, our focus for the year is the ability you have to ‘Create your own Career’. However, we can take this manifesto and apply it to university. If you feel this disillusionment or isolation, the important thing is firstly, speaking up about it; but secondly, doing something about it. You’ve chosen to be here, you pay to be here and so you should never feel like university is something that is just happening to you. You are able to create and change your university experience, both for yourself and others.  Here’s how you can make it happen:

Clubs and Socs – Make the best use of them. They are an excellent way to not just meet new people but build the sense of community that might be lacking elsewhere in your uni experience. Joining might not be enough. Like our university ideal in general, you can’t expect Clubs and Socs to be perfect or fulfil your wishes. The only way to achieve this is by get involved and be active – show up and share ideas or put yourself forward for a role.

Placements/Work Experience/Volunteering – The typical experience you’re told you should do to make you more employable. Writing for an employability magazine, we can confirm it will. However, you’ll also gain experience while meeting new people with similar interests and create a sense of community outside your degree. University life is about more than a course and should be for your enjoyment as well as your employability.

Help is Here – Seek it out. The Student Guidance Centre does what it says on the tin. You don’t need to know what you’re looking for when you go in, a simple chat with someone might make that clear. Peer Mentors benefit from training for their role, but being a student means they understand your point of view. They want to help and there are a wealth of them, so don’t be afraid to reach out. Course Reps, again, signed up to work on your behalf, they are there to be bothered by you and have the ammunition to impact on your degree on your behalf. Remember, you’re trying to create the best possible experience for you, the role of these people is to do that for everyone.

Considering all this, university is something to be excited about. Allow yourself creative freedom in your degree and your university experience. Because once you smash the ideal, that’s what you’re left with. Maybe not a complete blank slate, but you can create and change your course to be the best it can be, once you see it for what it is.  This will make you unique, confident and employable as well as a much happier student.

(NK)

 

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Who let the Underdogs out? Defending AHSS Students

Posted on 24th September 2017 by Emma Lennox

The commercial mind-set of the twenty-first century in general does not place much value on arts degrees beyond that of them being a freeloader route into tertiary education under a guise of ‘wishy-washy’ self-expression. There is a defensiveness that must come with being an arts/humanities student; an automatic write-off of intelligence when equated with those studying engineering or medicine. It is true perhaps that in plain terms, our 8 hours a week are incomparable to the 30-hour week of those dwelling in the MBC, but, to be frank; there is a bravery in studying a ‘non-vocational’ degree. In choosing a subject you are passionate about when all the propaganda of the day was ushering you towards the STEM buildings, ‘taking a road less travelled’ and refusing to following a direct path takes gumption.

knowledge pic

The arts have a mass appeal to laymen; whilst not everyone is a fan of metaphysical poetry, the marketisation of the arts and their widespread availability in cinema, music and literature proves them an access point for the common man. In this way, they are also communicators of the sciences. Where science focusses on the physical, the arts focus more on hypothetical ideas and in expanding creativity and imagination; two skills which are viable no matter what you study. With this in mind, I, for one, am fundamentally averse to the whole ‘arts vs science argument’. These two schools of thought are not separate but different perspectives of the same picture; both asking the questions; “who?”, “what?” “when?” “why?” “how?”. They are united by a thirst to understand the world around us. To prove this point further, there is even a leading movement to integrate Art into the recent focus on STEM and turn it into STEAM as without arts and humanities we would not have the progress we have in science today. Scientists build on what they know already (history), rely on government funding (politics) with the aim to understand life on earth better (sociology/anthropology); and anything they do find, they have to explain and justify (English/languages).

galileo

If you want the logistical argument; the “graduate premium” on the job market is steadily growing narrower (31% of graduates are not doing high-skilled, graduate-level jobs) and although earnings are slightly higher within science based vocations, employment rates in mechanical engineers are the same as social work or human service degrees. Without sounding trite, it is a fact that for many employers it is not necessarily about the degree you studied but about personhood. Unless you have gone down the very specific training route of medicine, law or nursing, it is the skills which you develop which will get you the job, not the niche knowledge you acquire.  The arts and humanities allow development of ‘soft’ skills such as written and oral communication, emotional intelligence, critical thinking, time management and self-motivation – which are incredibly sought after and explicit from mere in-person interaction. According to the Condition of Education (COE 2017), although starter salaries are generally higher in science based jobs, unemployment rates show that computer and information system degrees rank equal to history and social work matches mechanical engineer degrees. The truth is the job market is hostile to graduates in general – not just to arts and humanity graduates (although QUB ranks higher than UK average of 89.9% graduates going into employment or further education with 93.4%). What’s more, the gender pay, and unemployment gap is actually slightly higher within the science realm despite the push for women to take up STEM subjects.

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But, like I said before, there is no war of science against arts and we do not need to bash non-relative subjects against each other (indeed, many famous artists were also scientists, re: Da Vinci, Frida Kahlo, Beatrix Potter). The truth is while we sit in academic high chairs arguing about which of the two foundations of our society is more important we miss the point; that we need policymakers who understand both the science of climate change and the history of the Middle East and medical professionals who can communicate clearly and sensitively with their public.

Here’s an analogy: we listen to music through headphones and it is thanks to science and technology that we are able to hear the music through the earbud. But, the reason we need the headphones is because we desire to hear the music; we crave the art, it enriches our lives and gives us a culture and an identity. Robin Williams taught us “medicine, law, business, engineering, these are noble pursuits necessary to sustain life; but poetry, beauty, romance, love – these are what we stay alive for.”

(HRG)

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Interview with a Sky Sports Presenter

Posted on 24th September 2017 by Emma Lennox

Arron Armstrong graduated from Queen’s in 1998 with a degree in Politics and is now a regular presenter on Sky Sports News.

1. Why did you choose to study Politics and how has your degree enhanced your career?

I chose Politics because it was my favourite subject at A-Level and it seemed like an interesting degree, especially at Queen’s during the mid-90s. The Politics department at Queen’s had, and still has a great reputation so it made sense to choose it. I graduated with a 2:1, so that number has probably been as beneficial as the actual degree. A degree in politics doesn’t qualify you for anything in particular but provides lots of options. I don’t remember my degree being a deciding factor in getting a particular job, but it gave me a more rounded view of the world and provided me with skills I still use today.

 

2. What do you enjoy most about your job?

I really enjoy the variety of work, breaking news could come through at any moment so you don’t know exactly what you’ll be reporting on day to day or who you’ll be interviewing about a topical story. I get to meet lots of interesting people, fellow broadcasters and famous names from various sports. Reporting on sports I’m passionate about makes the job so much easier, plus not having to work too many hours a week!

 

3. How did you get involved in media and how can Arts, Humanities and Social Science students gain more experience of the sector?

Following my time at Queen’s I did a post grad in broadcast journalism at London College of Communication. This gave me the chance to get lots of unpaid work experience before getting jobs at TV3, BBC, IMG, Eurosport and Sky in a variety of freelance and staff roles. Work experience (or placements) is the best way to get involved in media and the more you get, the better. It’s a very competitive industry and many jobs don’t pay that well, so AHSS students should know that it probably won’t make them rich.

 

4.       What is your advice to AHSS students who are unsure of what career to follow?

My advice is to try out as many things as possible and get plenty of work experience, ideally while you are still at Queen’s. Be proactive when on work experience, be someone who provides solutions, who can add value and then a placement could lead to a permanent job. You’re not owed a living so don’t expect a career to materialise for you if you haven’t worked for it. The penny only dropped for me when I was 25 and still hadn’t done anything worthwhile. I was playing catch up after that.

Arron Armstrong

(MM)

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The Secret Life of Politics

Posted on 26th May 2017 by Emma Lennox

Working in politics is much more than just the front-faced interactions sitting in a chamber. Behind every elected representative and body of government, there is a huge network which runs government. Often we don’t realise these opportunities exist. Working in politics doesn’t mean having to belong or be active in a political party. In fact, for some jobs it helps not be!

Interested in the politics, but maybe not so much the party?

  • Social Researcher

A key player in analysing and presenting research which goes into implementing government policy. It’s highly skilled and can aid in a Minister’s policy making decisions. They have flexibility to work across a variety of departments as well as with an array of specialists; from economists to civil servants. At high levels, the job will impact on the activities of government. Check out –

www.prospects.ac.uk/job-profiles/government-social-research-officer

social researcher

  • Public Affairs Consultant

Requires quick thinking and creates connections across sectors. They use their knowledge of the political system to advise clients on guidance around political and public policy. Can involve a range of clients; from charities to the government and even international bodies such as the UN. You’ll need some sort of work experience, working in a political office or charity, or internship.

public affairs consultant

  • Political Journalist

A global career involving covering international incidents, to regional and local elections. Must be diverse and up to date on current affairs and publicly impartial in terms of party politics. Experience in writing and reporting is crucial.

political journalist

These are just a small fraction of the careers available in this sector. Check out other options at –

www.w4mp.org – Work for an MP

www.parliament.uk/about/working/

www.jobs.ac.uk/jobs/politics-and-government (NH)

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INTERVIEW – From Anthropology to Stormont

Posted on 26th May 2017 by Emma Lennox

Kate Nicholl

Belfast City Councillor, previously worked for Anna Lo MLA in Stormont

We ask her about her experience in politics and why she would encourage students to think of a career in it!

Kate Nicholl

What are your past qualifications?

I have a BSc in Anthropology and A Levels in English, History and Drama – I was never going to be an astronaut!

What made you decide to enter a career in politics?

It happened gradually. Like many humanities students I was interested in so many things and had no clue what career I would end up in. I signed up to the London Liberal Youth society at fresher’s and ended up meeting a really impressive woman who was running for Westminster in 2010 and agreed to help her out – that’s when I got the politics bug! I loved talking to people about issues and discussing how to fix them. When I moved back to Belfast I wrote to Anna Lo and asked if I could volunteer in her office. One day turned to two and soon I was there everyday and waitressing in the evenings. When a paid job opened up in the office I applied – and got it!

Was the reality of working for the NI Assembly different to what you expected?

I loved working in the Assembly- every day was different. I worked for an MLA and wrote her speeches, helped to write amendments to legislation, met with organisations who needed her help, deputised at All Party Group meetings on issues such as Human Trafficking and Ethnic Minorities and assisted constituents with issues ranging from broken street lamps to hate crime. The canteen was a bit like Mean Girls though and I found the negativity a bit hard at times – Anna dealt with her death threats better than I did! I also hated how change takes so long- or didn’t happen at all. My experience strengthened my resolve to stay involved in politics – change will only happen if people fight for it.

NI Assembly

As a Cllr, what parts of the job do you enjoy most and what parts the most challenging?

What surprised me about Council was how easy it is to work with other parties; it’s much less fractious than the Assembly. I really love doing casework, Assembly was far more policy and communications based, and there’s nothing more rewarding being able to help someone. I like being able to raise issues at Council. I find there not being unlimited funds most challenging – there are so many great organisations and projects which need funding and not being able to help them is frustrating. But I genuinely love being a Councillor!

What advice would you give to Arts, Humanities and Social Science students who are considering a career in politics?

Do it! Politics needs you!! I didn’t study politics or law so don’t let that put you off. Get experience – my student involvement with campaigning in the general election got me the job with Anna Lo. Get involved in campaigns you believe in, try out student politics or join the local branch of a party that you feel most strongly aligned to. I found having Anna as a mentor so beneficial, so if there’s someone whose political career you admire – contact them, ask them for advice. Politics (especially in Northern Ireland) requires a thick skin and patience – but it’s also fast paced and rewarding – I’ve no regrets (so far!) (NH)

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Top 10 Ways to Mess Up an Interview

Posted on 6th February 2017 by Emma Lennox

Ahhh interviews. That minor stumbling block between us and getting that dream job we KNOW we’d be perfect for. The simple questions that lead us in to a panic. (Name? What’s my name?! Do I even have one?? WHO AM I?!!) Ok so maybe that’s a slight exaggeration. However never fear because the list below will serve as everything to avoid doing to land that job. Don’t forget to thank me when you’re having cocktails on a beach on your paid vacation:

1. Turn up late

How you conduct yourself with regards to the interview is a reflection of how you will in the job. Turning up late, rushed and panicking therefore is not going to impress the interviewers.

late

2. DON’T research the job and company beforehand

I mean really, who NEEDS to know how well the company they’re going to work for has done in the last year. Shock, horror YOU if you want the job. Know what they do, how long they’ve been running for, if they’ve won any awards etc. It’ll make you look capable and serious about wanting the position

3. DON’T turn up dressed appropriately

Dress to impress is the key. Confident, classy and comfortable. If you can’t walk in 6 inch heels without falling, don’t.

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4. Ignore all etiquette

Over confidence can be mistaken for arrogance. Be confident within yourself but also polite. Keep calm, shake the hand of the interviewer/ees and then sit down when asked.

5. Lie. About anything

Never outright lie on your CV or in your answers. If it comes back you have lied about a work place or skill, not only will it affect this job it could also affect applying for a future position if word gets around. It’s really not worth it.

Liar_Liar_poster

6. Fidget uncontrollably and talk fast

Don’t distract yourself or the interviewer. Remain calm, take questions one at a time and answer to the best of your ability. Try to talk at an even pace. Talking too quickly can cause you to trip over your words.

7. Sit in silence and give one word answers

Interviewers will working from a mark scheme.  If you don’t say it, they can’t give you the marks.  Stick to the STAR technique for contextual questions.

tumbleweed

8. Talk over the interviewers

Remember you’re the one being interviewed, not conducting it. Find a nice balance and never interrupt or talk over the person interviewing you.

9. Panic and walk out before the interview is over

We’ll not lie, interviews can be stressful. A question which you don’t understand can throw you into disarray. Keep calm and ask the interviewer to repeat or explain the question. If you genuinely don’t know the answer, be honest with them and explain it’s something you don’t know at the minute but would love to further your knowledge of in the future.

10. Never practice questions and never know your CV well

Practice makes perfect. Look up questions online, prepare answers or book an appointment with a careers consultant to discuss interview techniques. Employers will read your CV and chances are will ask you questions relating to it. Ensure you know it inside out and aren’t caught out by anything.

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Interviews can be a nightmare. However, if you prepare in time and keep calm, a lot of anxiety can be avoided. Follow these tips and before you know it Forbes will be naming you in their top 500 rich list! (NH)

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