The winter break is a great time to relax and reflect on your year. It’s also a chance to think about new challenges for the New Year. Being a Kent student, there are plenty of opportunities to learn new skills, enhance your employability and have new experiences.

The Employability webpages provide information on many of these opportunities, including:

• Study abroad. This is a valuable experience which you’re likely to remember for the rest of your life. It’s not only a fun and exciting opportunity, but will put you in a better position when you graduate.
• Learn a new language. A new year is the perfect opportunity to take on a new challenge. Here at Kent you can take a wide range of language courses, whether you’re a beginner or more advanced.
• Work experience. In an increasingly competitive job market, relevant work experience has never been more valuable. It’s because of this placements are harder to come by. We offer a wide range of support to help you get that all-important work placement.
• Why not volunteer? Volunteering is a brilliant way to add essential skills and experience to your CV, while making new friends and supporting a cause you believe in. Also, most the volunteering opportunities we offer go towards your Employability Points.
• And the support doesn’t end there… Our experienced careers advisers can help you with essential skills development to make you more employable.  Including, creating a quality CV and how to have interview success.

Do you have the strength, speed, skill and will to take on the Kent Sport staff? Then maybe you could proudly represent your College as we challenge you to take on the Kent Sport Gladiators.

On Wednesday 10 December from 4-6pm, we will turn the Main Hall into our very own Gladiator Arena and offer students the chance to take on the Kent Sport Gladiators and fellow contestants in a series of physically challenging games. Score points to gain a head-start in the final round which will decide the ultimate male and female champions!

A maximum 10 contestants (5 men and 5 women) will be selected through a rigorous screening process with everyone else encouraged to come along and cheer your college champions to victory! There will also be an opportunity for everyone to have a go at some events themselves in between the main events.

For an application form and a full copy of our terms and conditions please visit the Kent Sport website. The deadline for applications is Sunday 30 November and college trials will take place in the following week (details will be circulated).

Kent presents the first Equality Week from the 17-21 November with free events and activities.

There are a huge number of activities and events, including:

• Film screenings
• Music and dance workshops
• Sessions that enhance your employability (eg learning British Sign Language)
• Anne Frank Exhibition
• Talks from high profile campaigns like No More Page 3 and Stonewall

View the full programme.

Everything throughout the week celebrates equality and diversity, encourages thought and debate and enhances student employability, with most sessions earning Employability Points.

Don’t forget to grab your free wristband on campus and show your support and belief that everyone should ‘Expect Respect’.

For more information contact Becky Lamyman:

• Email: R.S.Lamyman@kent.ac.uk
• Tel: 01227 823806

If you’ve got a great design idea for a University of Kent 50th anniversary limited edition t-shirt enter our ‘Pitch it!’ challenge.

As part of the University’s 50th anniversary celebrations, we are asking Kent students to pitch their innovative design ideas to a panel of University judges.

You will be asked to demonstrate how you think your t-shirt design can support this landmark year and appeal to students, alumni and beyond.

The winning team will receive a £500 Amazon voucher and the runners-up will get a £100 Amazon voucher.

The application deadline is 9.00 on Monday 24 November 2014.

For full details and to enter visit the competition webpages.