Kindness Matters…Always!

Written by Megan

Whilst going through the stresses of day-to-day life, it is easy to forget that we all live in this world together. Focusing on ourselves and those closest to us, it is better to give than receive, as not only does this make a family member or a dear friend happy, but it makes you happy to see them smile. So why stop there? Why not extend this to a stranger? This week is mental health awareness week and we plan to promote just how important kindness is, not only for these 7 days, but every day of the year!

By kindness, we mean doing something for someone else, and often putting other peoples needs before your own. It doesn’t have to be anything extravagant, nor does it need to cost a lot of money or time, however there is research to suggest that whilst helping someone else you are actually helping your own wellbeing by reducing stress, and ultimately improving your mood, self-esteem and happiness.

So how can this help you?

The health benefits for both yourself and the person who you have helped are many. For the individual who has received kindness, it could be the only good thing that has happened to them throughout a really bad day, and in some cases, you may be the only person they have seen or spoken to in days or sometimes weeks. This means that not only are you making them smile, but you are also reducing their loneliness and isolation. This could be the case for the person who has been kind too (A.K.A you), as helping other may encourage you to be active, and helping another may create and strengthen social connections (if you were volunteering for example). Helping others is a fantastic way to make new friends, become part of a community and overall find a sense of belonging you might not have had beforehand.

What are some ways to be kind to others?

Sometimes it can be difficult to know what can be considered as kindness, but it really could be anything. Checking on your elderly neighbour and asking if they need any help with anything, sending someone a card telling them you appreciate them, or even giving someone a small compliment. Kindness comes in all shapes and sizes, from a smile, to helping in a soup kitchen, all the way up to skydiving to raise money for charity! Even during the Covid-19 pandemic, you can help somebody out whilst maintaining a safe distance. This could include a smile and wave over the garden fence, a message via social media or grabbing a couple of extra bits whilst doing your food shops for someone who may be less able to make it to the supermarket. Popping these items on the doorstep with a little note may be all it takes to invoke a smile. The possibilities are endless and a combination of big and small actions from everyone can only make the world a better place.

 

As a final example of an act of kindness, we would like to say thank you to all our NHS and other frontline workers. Here at the Staffs Uni Career Studio, and across the entire university, we appreciate every single one of you and we hope kindness comes to you in leaps and bounds, regardless of whether you are a Staffordshire University student, alumni, or from anywhere else.

*Should you ever need any support with mental health, please do not hesitate to contact the wellbeing team at Staffordshire University, or alternatively (should you wish to remain anonymous, visit bigwhitewall.com. This is a 24 hour service that is free for all staff and students at the university, and you only need to tell them your identity should you wish to*

To speak to one of our Career Coaches get in touch.

Email: careers@staffs.ac.uk

Twitter: @CareersAtStaffs

Instagram: @CareersAtStaffs

Facebook: Staffordshire University​ Career & Personal Development

LinkedIn: @CareersAtStaffs

Check out this Vlog by Ben, a Career Coach and final year policing criminal investigation student, talking about all things GradEX! You really don’t want to miss this unique opportunity to showcase your final year project and network with over 7,000 employers and alumnis!

For more information about GradEX check out: www.staffs.ac.uk/gradex/home

What to register? Summit your application here: https://gradex.staffs.ac.uk/

Want help with your application? Any questions about GradEX? Get in touch with a Career Coach!

To speak to one of our Career Coaches get in touch.

Email: careers@staffs.ac.uk

Twitter: @CareersAtStaffs

Instagram: @CareersAtStaffs

Facebook: Staffordshire University​ Career & Personal Development

LinkedIn: @CareersAtStaffs

We give thanks to the NHS, especially our students and alumni!

Written by Megan

During the pandemic of 2020, healthcare is the sector that is continuing to grow the most by far. In the first 2 days of the crisis, over 700.000 people had volunteered to be part of the NHS, not including all the people who volunteered to make masks, headbands and so on. Care/nursing homes are also recruiting more and more staff to cover the demands of isolating residents should they show any symptoms of the Coronavirus, and the demands of staff sickness. The social care sector is trying to fulfil its duties to the best of its ability during this time, as the issues that social care workers face on a daily basis are not put on hold because of a pandemic. For this reason, it is important that we take a moment to say thank you to everyone involved in these sectors, as without them, this fight would have been over before it had even begun.

All our final year student nurses are still facing the stresses of university, alongside the stresses of Covid-19. Our online GradEx portal is now opening, offering final year students from any degree the chance to upload their projects or portfolio to be seen by potential employers. Every single student is encouraged to do this, as a fantastic opportunity could arise and being pro-active is a necessity during uncertain times.

There are also students from non-healthcare related degrees who have offered their services working in care homes and other environments that could put them at risk like those working for the NHS. As a result of this, there are known cases of our students having the virus and continuing to thrive working from home where possible. As a university, we are #ProudtoBeStaffs, and even more so with how our students have joined the resistance without hesitation.

From all out students at Staffordshire University, to anyone working for the NHS, or in other healthcare environments regardless of where you come from…. We applaud you!

Do you work for the NHS? We would love to hear from you!

To speak to one of our Career Coaches get in touch:

Email: careers@staffs.ac.uk

Twitter: @CareersAtStaffs

Instagram: @CareersAtStaffs

Facebook: Staffordshire University​ Career & Personal Development

LinkedIn: @CareersAtStaffs

Check out this Vlog by Grace, a Career Coach and Msc Digital Marketing student, talking about all things GradEX! You really don’t want to miss this unique opportunity to showcase your final year project and network with over 7,000 employers and alumnis!

For more information about GradEX check out: www.staffs.ac.uk/gradex/home

What to register? Summit your application here: https://gradex.staffs.ac.uk/

Want help with your application? Any questions about GradEX? Get in touch with a Career Coach!

Email: careers@staffs.ac.uk

Twitter: @CareersAtStaffs

Instagram: @CareersAtStaffs

Facebook: Staffordshire University​ Career & Personal Development

LinkedIn: @CareersAtStaffs

Check out this Vlog by Amber, a Career Coach and final year psychology student, talking about all things GradEX! You really don’t want to miss this unique opportunity to showcase your final year project and network with over 7,000 employers and alumnis!

For more information about GradEX check out: www.staffs.ac.uk/gradex/home

What to register? Summit your application here: https://gradex.staffs.ac.uk/

Want help with your application? Any questions about GradEX? Get in touch with a Career Coach!

To speak to one of our Career Coaches get in touch.

Email: careers@staffs.ac.uk

Twitter: @CareersAtStaffs

Instagram: @CareersAtStaffs

Facebook: Staffordshire University​ Career & Personal Development

LinkedIn: @CareersAtStaffs

Written by Amber

We interviewed Amber, a final year student from the school of LSE, to see what steps she is taking to secure her future job position. Questions asked included: have her career plans changed, what are her concerns about her future and how she is being pro-active during this uncertain time.

1) What are YOUR concerns about YOUR future?

My concerns begin with achieving the grades needed for the graduate scheme I have applied for or the masters (I am now considering) I would start later in the year (related to personal difficulties and exceptional circumstances). Furthermore, whichever pathway I choose would involve individual concerns – moving further away from home, working on the frontline when we could still be on lockdown potentially putting myself at risk, being able to afford to live on my own for work or study, continuing studies at a higher level remotely involving little contact time and mostly not being successful with the pathway I decide to follow.

2) Have YOU changed YOUR plans?

Yes! Due to the current circumstances my travel plans, which included an educational trip to Malaysia with Staffs Psychology department and a 4 week psychology placement in Bali, have already been or will more than likely be cancelled and if not I will be seriously considering dropping out of the placement because of the pandemic. This restricts the work experience I was hoping to have completed before starting work (or masters). Also, due to limited places on the graduate scheme I have applied for there may not be a location suitable which means I am making more of an effort to consider a master’s degree for September start.

3) What are YOU pro-actively doing now?

I am contacting the graduate scheme for more information about availability and other options. Regarding the masters, I am planning to attend the Staffs post grad virtual open day. I have applied to be a student advisory panel member for ‘start to success’ which launched earlier in the year (regional 2 year mental health project) and have already spoken to the project coordinator for more information. Also, I am currently completing an online course ‘Safeguarding Adults: Level 3 Training’, which I am more than half way through and will give me industry relevant training and the safeguarding certification on completion.

4)What are YOUR top tips for YOUR fellow graduates?

• Always look for a plan B, in these uncertain times especially, I wouldn’t risk relying on one option.

• Look for and complete courses that are relevant to your career choice – they will give you an edge against peers and can offer a break from Uni work.

• Be openminded – you may find opportunities to suit you that you didn’t originally consider of interest.

• Don’t be too critical of yourself – you’re trying your best!

• Don’t give up!

To speak to one of our Career Coaches get in touch.

Email: careers@staffs.ac.uk

Twitter: @CareersAtStaffs

Instagram: @CareersAtStaffs

Facebook: Staffordshire University​ Career & Personal Development

LinkedIn: @CareersAtStaffs

Introducing Ben, a final year student from the school of LPF! Check out his Vlog, including answers to the following questions: what steps he is taking to secure his future position, if he has had any career plans changed, what are his concerns about his future and how he his being pro-active during this uncertain time.

To speak to one of our Career Coaches get in touch.

Email: careers@staffs.ac.uk

Twitter: @CareersAtStaffs

Instagram: @CareersAtStaffs

Facebook: Staffordshire University​ Career & Personal Development

LinkedIn: @CareersAtStaffs

Written by Annie

We interviewed Annie, a Masters student from the school of CAE, to see what steps she is taking to secure her future job position. Questions asked included: have her career plans changed, what are her concerns about her future and how she is being pro-active during this uncertain time.

With the current circumstances its difficult to get yourself into a frame of mind to think about the future, to encourage yourself to be proactive and to plan your time to utilise it efficiently. I have been trying to manage my master’s workload and apply for graduate jobs and sometimes it’s so hard to find the motivation.

1) What are YOUR concerns about YOUR future?

Being a graduate, this year is terrifying, in a world of uncertainty it is proving difficult to find jobs within the sector I want to work in. I have applied for a lot of jobs during lock down and I have had some interviews to over teams and zoom, it is difficult to keep motivated especially when you are unsure of what your next plan is after university. For the time being I am trying to take it day by day and not worry too much as I know with the current climate it is just trial and error with the application progress at the moment.

2) Have YOU changed YOUR plans?

I thought that by now I would have everything figured out, of what I wanted to do and which jobs I would want to apply for. However, I am lacking in industry experience and have had a few setbacks and job rejections. I am trying to be resilient and positive and have realised that I don’t need to apply for my dream job straight away but learn from feedback and aim to ease myself into the world of full time work first.

3) What are YOU pro-actively doing now?

Being pro-active is difficult and all I can say so far is that I am trying and that’s the best I can do. Some days I have no motivation to do anything apart from the basics of showering and eating however I have found that giving myself one day on and one day off working has helped (except when I have deadlines and cannot take this relaxed approach). I keep checking my emails, I ask as many questions as I can to my course tutors if I don’t understand something and I actively look for graduate jobs each day. I have also been undertaking online courses to try and improve my employability and skillset in certain software and also topics that I want to gain more knowledge on.

4)What are YOUR top tips for YOUR fellow graduates?

1. Try to not worry things! I know it is difficult to think where am I going to move to? Will I get a job in this sector? Will I get the grades I want? But unfortunately, at the moment everything is uncertain, and everyone is in the same boat.

2. Be patient – I know it’s difficult, but most job applications and processes are on hold due to our current circumstances, but progress is always made in steady stages. There are lots of new job opportunities posted (especially on LinkedIn) everyday

3. Look after yourself – Try if you can to plan your assignments and give yourself enough time, but do not burn yourself out if your mind needs rest – then give it some rest and make sure you leave some time to look after you.

4. Positivity – I know its hard to be positive when many of the final year events have been cancelled and it feels like the last goodbye to your friends may not happen. I know the university is trying to arrange things for graduates of 2020, I know it might not be the same however being positive and persevering is the key to managing your time and planning your future.

To speak to one of our Career Coaches get in touch.

Email: careers@staffs.ac.uk

Twitter: @CareersAtStaffs

Instagram: @CareersAtStaffs

Facebook: Staffordshire University​ Career & Personal Development

LinkedIn: @CareersAtStaffs