Houses of Parliament

I was fortunate enough to be selected to shadow Jason McCartney MP for Colne Valley alongside Henry Greenwood, another Greenhead Student.This opportunity brought me to the capital and gave me an exciting chance to work inside the iconic Houses of Parliament in Westminster for the first half of the week beginning June 18,  and to finish the placement back in the Yorkshire constituency. Mr McCartney's Parliamentary Assistant, Miss Florence Cheek scheduled for Henry and I to attend several debates in the Commons including Prime Ministers Questions, a chance to see Jason perform on the board for the Transport Committee and attend a few conferences with Jason present.  

The much anticipated week included an educational tour round the buildings from Florence who gave historical knowledge as well as insider trivia throughout. We were able to view both legislative chambers, Committee rooms, the Terrace, Porticullis House and even David Cameron's Office. Along the way we also spotted many prominent MP's including Vince Cable, David Mitchell and David Blunkett.  However for me,  the highlight of the Westminster part of the week would have been the Blind Veterans UK Tea party in the Dining Room. This allowed us to be surrounded by honorable Ex Veterans including Cpl Simon Brown who shared touching responses as to why they were present in the Commons. This provided an opportunity for me to to see the crucial role MP's make into individuals lives and the difference government promotion could make to them. The informal ambiance allowed me to approach and talk to deserving service men about what they were supporting and what could be done to help them achieve their targets. In this case, it was to promote the idea of a hosting a 'Tarts for Troops' party and for all proceeds to be donated to the charity. Jason served in the RAF forces which provided him with a keen personal interest as well with the humanitarian compassion to understand what he could do to help. It was real pleasure to meet these deserving gentleman and instilled a sense of patriotism among not only me but the whole room.  It was definitely a rewarding side to the job.

After the touristic element of the week was over, I traveled back up to Yorkshire on the Wednesday night to work in Holmfirth the following morning. In the constituency I met the second larger half to Jason's team. This included Secretary Jack Kempf, caseworker Stephen Daley and Chief of Staff John Travis. We were provided with two tasks to research and produce reports to inform Jason on issues concerning himself or his constituency. This was work that needed to produced to ensure that it was clearly recognized and understood by the MP as a duty for his constituency. Henry and I collaboratively produced a document on the up and coming defense jets and the unfair distribution of National Lottery Funding. It was also interesting to see the scale of issues that are raised everyday and how the MP and his team decide which are most relevant for Jason to pursue in his busy schedule.

I am extremely grateful that I was selected to shadow Jason McCartney. It exceeded all expectations and has continued to spark my interest into the nature of British politics. It also showed me how diverse the role of MP really is. It varied from intimate meetings with a representative from British Cycling to consultations on a new Supermarket in Honley. It can only be achieved by an intensely organised schedule sometimes not finishing until just before midnight. I have thoroughly enjoyed the week to witness first hand the life of an elected British politician.

Business Management

I have decided my course- thank the lord above!
Business Management.
It was really all to do with my work experience I've done this summer which I cannot wait to write about!
I kept myself really busy to ensure that I got as much as I could out of my time off. I started with a placement in the iconic Houses of Parliament following Colne Valley MP Jason McCartney. (See next post) I also arranged a placements in Glasgow, Leeds and London to shadow William Hill's Personal Development Team. In between these I worked for a recruitment agency and also for Cube Learning and Development. For Cube I have attended several business conferences, managed financial responsibilities, they also encouraged me to pool my ideas into this blog .

The world of business is exciting and the best thing about it, you are not confined. It is so broad, with a degree, no door is left unopened.

Updatingell

I haven't blogged in a while so I suppose I should update you where I am!! 

I have been visiting around the country to view some of my narrowed university choices...
On a recent weekend trip up north, Ive decided the area of Newcastle is where I want to be- WAYAI PET
Therefore on my list of 5, 3 of them are in the North East.

1. Newcastle
2. Durham
3. Northumbria

I absolutely loved everything from the night life, to the student area of Jesmond. Newcastle university itself is quaint and inhibits a lot of older buildings where the academic studying takes place. On the contrast Northumbria was very modern and looked almost like an arena from the outside.  The shopping area is quite similar to my home town of Leeds so made me feel at ease straight away! The football stadium was such a short walk away so I can imagine on match days, the city would be really thriving. 

It did almost feel like a home away from home and the popularity of the university meant that we saw a few familiar faces too! We experienced Freshers week which made me extremely excited  for that to be my turn next year!

COURSE COURSE COURSE.

What course?

Thats another kettle of fish altogether. 

I grew up aspiring to be like my auntie. She is a leading director in a family law solicitors. From the age of 11 I was tunnel visioned that that was the right thing for me too. I would get the grades, complete my LLB and follow in her footsteps. However, Ive spent hours and hours assessing these routes. 

The reality of the competitive industry is that it is a lot of office hours and sat behind your desk (yawn)

Administration hauls over any court visits or client meetings. 

So realistically, is it right for me? I understand the job is challenging and potentially rewarding however the negative impact that you could inflict on someones life weighs me down. What happens when you lose a case? What happens when a parent is banned from their children?

I want to have a positive impact on someones life. I do understand that this should be the drive to motivate you to work harder and win the case. But it is that risk. 

So.... do I study something like English or History.. These are well recognised degrees that I am 'cliche bound' interested in. They open up so many doors and do not restrict me to one particular path. 

It would give me an additional 3 years to figure out my plan before I really start my journey. 

I do sometimes feel it is just me that is in this indecisive mess. 

My two of my best friends  have passed their UKATs and well in their way to heading into Dentistry, others into Architecture and Economics.. 

They have a plan. 

I just need to figure one out too and soon. 

Here we go.

I should probably start these first few blogs by attempting to tell where I currently am in my thought process. 

'Lord help us"

My UCAS deadline seems to have jumped from 'dont worry about it yet' to 2 months away. 

(For those of you who are unfamiliar this is the system you use to apply to university with)

I have not even begun my personal statement. 4000 characters to sell myself to 5 selected universities.

You'll learn soon enough that I could talk about my right toenail for 6000 so this is a task that is being severely avoided.  

College have provided me with the universal tutorials which explain the bare minimums about what universities  don't want to see and the 'common cringey catch phrases' 

-im confident

-im outgoing 

- im interested and passionate about your course. 

They've heard it millions of times before. So what makes ME different and original. 

This is why I have not got any further with it, I want to be a successful candidate for my chosen course.

I am dying for some body out there to share with me their own experiences of applying and how to potentially make it a little less stressful than what it already is. 

I live across from a head teacher who has kindly offered to read through it with me and give me his advice... but I cant take him up on that until I really put the pen to the paper. I think this is the key to a successful application, a second pair of eyes. I am by no means advocating plagiarism but It is a true representation of FIRST IMPRESSIONS. 

What do you think first impressions should include? How would you represent yourself in 4000 characters?