Author Archives: Allie Burnett

Parenting Culture Studies Spring Forum

SSPSSR’s Centre for Parenting Culture Studies (CPCS) holds twice termly forums designed as an opportunity for colleagues in and around Kent to come together to discuss parenting culture.

Introduced by Dr Jennie Bristow, the forum will discuss Deborah Lupton’s ‘The Social Worlds of the Unborn’, focusing on the ‘Introduction’ and Chapter 5 ‘The Endangered Unborn’. We hope that the forum will foster some interesting cross-disciplinary conversation, and lead to collaborative events in the future.

The forum will be on Wednesday 11 February, 15.00-17.00, in Cornwallis North West, Seminar Room 10. All are welcome.

Find out more and book.

More information about CPCS and upcoming events can be found on the Centre’s blog.

For more information email hva@kent.ac.uk.

Complete the National Student Survey

The National Student Survey (NSS) is your chance to tell us (and everyone else!) what it is like being a student at Kent.

It takes less than 10 minutes to complete and for every eligible completion, we will give you a £10 Amazon voucher if you complete the survey by 13 February.

If you are eligible to take the survey, you will have received an email invitation from Ipsos MORI this week.

Take the survey

In past years, Kent has scored highly in the NSS for student satisfaction, and the survey results help to improve our university for future students.

So tell us what we are doing right and what we can improve, to help shape the future of Kent. If you don’t take the survey, your views won’t be heard!

Study tips for week 14

Here are some top study tips from the Student Learning Advisory Service (SLAS) for week 14 (26 Jan – 1 Feb).

Tip 1: Can you find it?

Always file away notes and study materials promptly. Make this a daily habit. Any time spent looking for things is wasted time! You need to be able to access all your study materials quickly and accurately. Find out about time management and planning.

Tip 2: Dip in – don’t read everything on the bibliography

Focus your reading on what you need. Look for ammunition for your assignment and don’t panic about all the books you haven’t read. Be selective – choose books wisely: what do you really need for this particular piece of work? Look for hints and tips in the assignment topic, and look out for books recommended by tutors, course handouts, other books, and so on. Pick up additional tips at the SLAS workshop.

Nominations welcome for Chancellor’s Employability Points Award

The Chancellor’s Employability Points Award, part of the Kent Student Awards, recognises a student who has made an outstanding contribution to a University initiative, while participating in the Employability Points Scheme.

We are now welcoming nominations from current University of Kent staff or Kent Union/GKUnions staff.

If you know of an excellent student, who has made an outstanding contribution to University life, please nominate here.

The winning student will be awarded £400, provided by the Kent Student Awards at gala awards dinner on 8 May 2015.

Staff can nominate until 8 March 2015. View further information, including the nomination criteria.

For more information email m.t.cook@kent.ac.uk

Kent Extra course – Recycling the Sunset

The aim of this Kent Extra course is to use cans to create a recycled sunset which is to be placed under the krit space in Architecture.

Students should expect to work with a number of students from different disciplines and work in a team to achieve the goal.

This course is a practical course and so students will be heavily involved in creating the sunset which we will display.

Find out more and apply.

students talking

Careers and employability events for the new term

To book your place on a workshop, email medwaycareers@kent.ac.uk

Date Time Location Event
Wednesday 28 January 12-1pm PK104 Postgraduate study options The Careers and Employability Service will give an overview of postgraduate study options including applications and funding. Debbie Reed (Head of the Centre for Professional Practice) will cover flexible study; options, ideas and opportunities for returning to postgraduate study in the future.
Friday 6 February 12:15-12:45pm G2-21 Bitesize interview skills in 30 minutes Top tips on performing well at job interviews.
Tuesday 10 February 1-1:30pm G2-04 Bitesize application forms Get to grips with job applications. Learn to master the STAR approach, find out how to beat applicant tracking systems and get your applications noticed by employers.
Wednesday 18 February 12-1:30pm PK017 Mock assessment centre Assessment centres are used by many employers as part of their recruitment processes. This workshop will give you tips on how to succeed at assessment centres. You will then complete a mock assessment centre exercise so that you can practise and receive feedback. There are limited spaces for this workshop so remember to book as soon as possible via medwaycareers@kent.ac.uk
Wednesday 25 February 1-2pm G2-03 Planning my career Not sure what career you want to go into or what is open to you? This talk will provide tips on how you can begin to explore your options.
Monday 2 March 1-2pm PK017 CV bootcamp for beginnersThis workshop will help you to recognise different CV styles and teach you how to target your CV effectively by using appropriate language and skills, whilst marketing yourself and your skills on paper.
Tuesday 3 March 12-1pm PK017 Social media and networking for career success Explore the positive and negative effects social media can have on your career. Find out how to use your network effectively in your career planning, both online and offline.
Tuesday 3 March 1-2pm PK017 Getting the most out of the E&V Toolkit Are you currently volunteering or interested in volunteering in the future? The E&V Toolkit helps you to track the employability skills you are gaining. Come along to find out more from David Coldwell.
Wednesday 4 March 12-1pm PK017 Searching for part-time work Louise Rizzo from Jobshop gives top tips on looking for part-time work.
Thursday 5 March 12-1pm Pilkington Building GradsKent drop-in GradsKent advertise permanent and temporary employment opportunities suitable for the graduate and student market. They will be in the Pilkington Building on the ground floor talking to students about the opportunities they can offer in Kent.
Thursday 5 March 1-2pm PK017 GradsKent workshop Interested in working in Kent? Whether you are looking for that first graduate job to get your foot on the industry ladder, or you are a professional looking for a change in direction then GradsKent may have the opportunity for you!
Friday 6 March 12-1pm B028 Blake Building Developing your career This workshop will help you to think about what a career is and why choosing one can be so difficult. It will look at what a career means to you, what your brand is, where you want to be in the future and how to get there.
Friday 6 March 1-2pm PK017 Teaching – a focus on the PGCE and School Direct This is your opportunity to learn more about the Postgraduate Certificate of Education (PGCE) and School Direct teaching programmes offered by the University of Greenwich and our Subject Knowledge Enhancement programmes – including entry qualifications, how to apply, the financial help available and shortage areas. The age phases of programmes include primary, secondary and lifelong learning.
Monday 9 March 12-1:30pm G4-12 Psychometric assessments Many employers use psychometric tests as part of their recruitment processes. This session will give you the chance to practise tests on verbal reasoning and numeracy. There are limited spaces for this workshop so remember to book as soon as possible.
Tuesday 17 March 2-4:30pm G0-05 Extended drop-in session (Careers and Employability Service) Got a quick query? Come along to G0-05 any time between 2-4:30pm, no appointment necessary.
Wednesday 25 March 12-1pm G3-03 Job searching Not sure where to start with your job hunt? This workshop will introduce you to a range of different job searching methods including the use of vacancy websites, networking and social media.
Wednesday 1 April 12-12:30pm M0-05 Bitesize CV skills in 30 minutes Advice on creating a good quality CV.
Wednesday 8 April 2-4:30pm G0-05 Extended drop-in session (Careers and Employability Service) Got a quick query? Come along to G0-05 any time between 2-4:30pm, no appointment necessary.

What other support does the Careers and Employability Service offer? 

  • Drop-in between 2-3pm, Monday – Friday (term-time) with quick queries (G0-05)
  • Careers guidance appointments – email medwaycareers@kent.ac.uk to book (term-time and vacations)
  • Vacancy database – hundreds of organisations contact us with opportunities for you
  • Resources – come to G0-05 to pick up useful careers leaflets and directories and to browse through our books
  • Practice interviews – email medwaycareers@kent.ac.uk to book
  • Work experience bursary – if you have secured some unpaid work experience outside of your degree, you could be entitled to up to £100 from the Careers and Employability Service
  • Careers Employability Award – complete a variety of quizzes and assignments on Moodle to receive your certificate
  • Mentoring – KEW-NET is an online mentoring/networking tool for Kent students and graduates to meet, support one another and help each other get ahead
  • Online resources

Kent Student Awards nomination form

We’ve experienced a technical issue with the Kent Student Awards nomination form. The form is now working and can be accessed here.

If you submitted a nomination from 19-21 January, please re-submit to ensure that we have received it.

Due to this issue we have extended the prize draw deadline. All complete nominations we receive by 31 January will be entered into a prize draw to win a £50 Amazon voucher.

Apologies for any inconvenience caused.

Sports coaching

Want to try something new in 2015? Why not get active and have fun with our coach-led sports sessions at Kent Sport.

We employ a ‘sport for all mentality’ and work hard to help encourage participation in sport and physical activity, regardless of playing standard or ability.

Our coach-led sessions are aimed at beginner to improver standard participants and aim to teach them the correct techniques for the fundamental skills of the sports we offer.

For more information on these sessions please visit the Kent Sport webpages or alternatively contact a member of our Sports Development team – sportsdevelopment@kent.ac.uk.

Top ten place for Kent in Green Metric league table

The University’s green credentials have been underlined by its high ranking in an international Green Metric league table.

Kent has been ranked 10th in the UK and 42nd in the world in the UI (University of Indonesia) Green Metric league table, published in January 2015.

The 2014 survey collated information provided by 360 Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) from 62 countries. Results were based on performance in six main categories: green statistics, energy and climate change, waste management, water usage, transportation, and education.

Kent is ranked 42nd out of 360 HEIs from across the world with a total score of 6,620; up from 76th last year. Kent’s total score increased by 12.7% (up 745 points to 6,620, compared with 6,096 in 2012). The University scored highest in the water usage category, where it was ranked 1st in both 2014 and 2013.

The University of Kent is certified to ISO 1400, an International Standard for Environmental Management. Sustainability is one of six key messages in Kent’s Institutional Strategic Plan 2012-15 and is at the heart of everything we do.

Our annual Green Impact project offers departments across the University a practical opportunity to embed good environmental and ethical practices in their everyday work. Further information on Green Impact at Kent can be found on the Estates department webpages.

View full results from the Green Metric league table.

Changes at Coopers Bar

The nights at Coopers have changed, they are now:

  • Monday – curry night
  • Tuesday – live music
  • Wednesday – sports clubs and societies night
  • Thursday – comedy night
  • Friday – Medway mash-up night

The following sports events will also be showing in Coopers:

  • Sunday 1 February – American Football Superbowl, 8am – 4am
  • Friday 6 February – Six Nations Rugby
  • Saturday 7 February – Six Nations Rugby
  • Thursday 2 February – Six Nations Rugby