Author Archives: Miriam Sandiford

Library bitesize sessions

Your Digital Library – sharpen up your search skills

Join us for bitesize online training sessions that will help you hone your search skills and give you hints and tips on using some of the Digital Library resources

Make the most of Your Digital Library by joining our wonderful librarians to discover how to use some of the key library resources and brush up your search skills.  Details of the sessions and the links to join them are below:

Your Digital Library: Search Skills 101

Boost your search results with these search strategy top tips and hacks.

Date: Monday 23 November 14.00.

Duration: 20 minutes

Link to session: Click here to join the session


Your Digital Library: Database Speed Dating Nexis 

Learn how to use Nexis to search the collection of national and international newspapers.

Date: Tuesday 24 November 10.00

Duration: 15 mins

Link to session: Click here to join the session


Your Digital Library: Database Speed Dating BoB

Learn how to use Box of Broadcasts (BoB) which is the University’s streaming service. Find documentaries, television and radio news for your research.

Date: Wednesday 25 November 10.00.

Duration: 15 minutes

Link to session: Click here to join the session


Your Digital Library: Medical Resources for all 

This short session introduces a range of resources such as e-books, journals or databases available for all Kent students and staff who are interested in medicine.

Date: Thursday 26 November 14.00.

Duration: 20 min

Link to session: Click here to join the session

Closeup of compass pointing towards word career

Career preparation during lockdown

As we begin the second week of lockdown, we hope you are keeping safe and well. This week we are focussing on career preparation, for those who are undecided about their next steps. Below you’ll find advice about how to explore careers and further study, identify your skills and update your CV!

Exploring Careers

When considering your future career, it can feel quite overwhelming. Luckily there are things you can do to narrow down your career choice:

  • Book a Careers Guidance appointment to discuss your options with a Careers Adviser. Appointments are available daily.
  • Complete our Careers Award! A free online programme that gives you the chance to think about your career and what type of opportunities are open to you.
  • Listen to Bright Network’s talk on How to work out what you want to do, part of the Bright Network Academy, with practical steps you can take to discover your interests.
  • Take a look at our I want to work in pages – a great starting point when researching! Also, sites such as Bright Network, Targetjobs and Prospects have a range of job profiles!

Access careers resources.

Exploring further study

Are you thinking about further study? There are many reasons why you may consider postgraduate study, and we can support you throughout the process. A few things to do when looking into further study are:

  • Book a Careers Guidance appointment to discuss postgraduate study with a Careers Adviser. Appointments available daily: careers@kent.ac.uk
  • Attend our Postgraduate Study workshop (this Wednesday at 2.30pm!) to find out about the application process and writing a personal statement.
  • Take a look at our Further Study pages – a great starting point when researching!

Identify your skills

When exploring careers, it’s important to know what your strengths are, as this will help you to know the type of role which you would be suited to. To do this, you can:

  • Access our Choosing a Career guide, with useful advice covering self-awareness, opportunity awareness and career exploration.
  • Try taking a personality questionnaire to help you discover your personality type and how it relates to career choice. The Myers–Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is a well-known tool to try, access a free assessment based on MBTI, as well as other tests via our Choosing a Career Guide (pg.9)
  • Book a Careers Guidance appointment to discuss your interests and career options. Appointments available daily: careers.kent.ac.uk

Updating your CV

It’s really important to keep your CV up to date, and relevant to the role and industry you are looking to work in. To do this, you can:

  • Attend our Talk about your skills workshop (Friday 20 Nov at 9.00) to learn how to articulate your skills to an employer.
  • Book a Quick Advice appointment for a CV check. We can provide feedback and advice about how to tailor your CV for a specific job. Daily appointments available: careers.kent.ac.uk
  • Access our CV guide for tips and CV examples. You can also access our Creating a great CV workshop slides via our Moodle page: DP4450.

Keep updated on our social media pages:

Facebook; @UKCES
Instagram: @unikentces
Twitter: @unikentemploy

Templeman library plus screen showing library occupancy

Check how busy Templeman Library is

You can now see how busy the Templeman Library is at any time.

If you’re planning to come to the Library take a look at our new Library occupancy checker. You can also view this on our digital screens when you enter the Library building.

The Templeman Library is open 08.00 to 22.00 every day until the end of term. We can only allow a limited number of people into the Library and you may have to queue to enter when the building is very busy. The Library is generally quieter early morning, later in the day and at weekends – but you’ll be able to check that for yourselves now.

If the Library is busy and you don’t want to queue there are a number of alternative study spaces across campus for you to use. You can also access a huge range of high-quality digital resources online.

WebChat – Travel home and vacation arrangements, 20 November

Join us for the next student WebChat about travel and vacation arrangements, Friday 20 November 11.30-12.30.

The WebChat is open to all Kent students and is a chance to get further clarification about how you can travel home for the winter vacation, or what to expect if you are staying on campus.

Staff from across the University and Kent Union will update you on the most recent UK government regulations, in particular sharing information about travelling home and vacation arrangements.

In addition, we will be sharing information relevant to all students and locations regarding resources available to you, to help you make the most of your study and free time, over the next few weeks.

Sign up for the WebChat now.

We will email you the link before the event and remind you on the day. If you have any questions or queries please email: directorstudentservices@kent.ac.uk

Kent logo

Student travel window update

From Professor Richard Reece | Deputy Vice-Chancellor Education and Student Experience 

As outlined in my previous email on 13 November 2020, the Department for Education has set out guidance regarding a ‘Student Travel Window’ between 3-9 December 2020. This has been designed to enable you to travel home in time for Christmas, should you choose to do so, whilst enabling you and your loved ones to be as safe as possible.

We are holding a student WebChat about travel and vacation arrangements on 20 November 11.30-12.30 so do please join us if you have any questions.

The University will be stopping all face-to-face teaching by 4 December 2020 and will continue to provide teaching online until the end of the Autumn term (18 December 2020).

Your School will be able to provide further information concerning when your face-to-face teaching will stop. This information will also be available on your timetable on SDS.

  • If you do not have face-to-face teaching on 3-4 December 2020, please try to travel home between 3-6 December 2020.
  • If your face-to-face teaching continues until 4 December 2020, please try to travel home between 5-9 December 2020.

Where possible, please do try to travel home in your recommended departure window. This will make it easier for you to depart campus or the city centre, and should make your onward journey run more smoothly. Moreover, you are likely to find travel more straightforward if you are able to avoid the weekend (5-6 December) We do appreciate however that some of you may already have made other plans or may be intending to remain with us for longer, which you are of course very welcome to do so.

 

Please bear in mind that transport routes and travel providers may be very busy during this time. Some may also be running a reduced service. Please plan your journey in plenty of time and ensure you pre-book tickets should you need them.

We are working with travel providers and transport companies to find out their planned services. We will provide you with information on this as soon as available.

Please do refer to our Christmas travel and vacation arrangements FAQs for the latest information.

With my best wishes,

Richard

Professor Richard Reece | Deputy Vice-Chancellor Education and Student Experience

 

Diwali candles

Diwali celebration web hangout, 16 November

All students are welcome to join this fun and informal, Diwali themed, Web Hangout.

This Web Hangout will take place on Monday 16 November, from 12.00-13.00.

We will be joined by Professor Nitin Arora, Happiness Proctor at Amnity University who will be giving a talk during our event.

Meet new students, take part in fun activities and share stories and experiences.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Sign up for the Diwali Web Hangout now.

Be kind written in coloured chalk on a chalkboard

Top 10 ways to be kind to yourself and others

Being kind to yourself and others is something we should all practise and a message that’s even more important during the current pandemic and lockdown.

World Kindness Day is celebrated annually on 13 November and is marked by good deeds and pledging acts of kindness to make the world a better place. In the UK, Kindness Day UK was launched in 2010 and is organised by Kindness UK, a not-for-profit organisation.

Here are some suggestions on how you can show kindness during lockdown (and remember being kind is not just for the day, but always):

1.Organise a virtual get-together for someone who’s going through a rough time.

2.Follow some positive accounts on social media, for example @kindness.news, @wholesome_planet and @the_happy_broadcast on Instagram. If a post brightens your day, share it with others.

3.Drop a note to an elderly neighbour to ask them if they need anything. Help someone feel less isolated.

4.Allow yourself breaks from study and work. A screen break can also be beneficial.

5.Take time to check in with a friend you haven’t spoken to for a while.

6,Clear out your old clothes ready to take to a charity shop. If you don’t need it, give it!

7.Invite your friends list to ‘like’ the page of a local business to help it grow.

8.Offer to make your housemate a cup of tea or a meal.

9.Always say thank you. You could take the time to thank a teacher or lecturer who has helped you.

10.Take some time for yourself! Be sure to set some time aside in the week to do something you enjoy.

Cogs graphic with images within such as medal and graph

Gaining experience during lockdown

If you are looking to gain some work experience, don’t let lockdown deter you! We have put together a few ways in which you can gain experience and develop your employability skills, many of which can be done remotely.

Volunteer

Volunteering is a rewarding way to gain experience and develop your employability skills. There are numerous charities and organisations looking for help, including remotely. A few of these include:

  • NHS Responder Volunteers
  • Canterbury and Herne Bay Volunteer Centre
  • United Nations Volunteers
  • Translators without Borders
  • Zooniverse – research projects
  • Be My Eyes
  • TechSoup

You can also log your volunteering hours with the Kent Volunteering Scheme!

Virtual Internships

Virtual internships are flexible, online opportunities, where you can undertake remote experience. Many virtual internships exist in areas such as tech, marketing and social media roles. Some employers will give you project work to complete over a period of time, and you may have regular catch-ups with the employer.

Others are more flexible, allowing you to complete them in your own time, such as The Forage, which offers free open-access virtual internships. Great for building your commercial awareness! Opportunities include those in Law, Design, Tech, Investment Management, Banking and more!

Courses

There are lots of online courses you can explore, many of which are free. Whether that be something to complement your degree, or you want to learn something completely new, such as coding, a language or digital marketing. Find these on sites such as Coursera, The Open University and Future Learn.

We also offer free courses through Study Plus. We have a variety of online workshops, bookable online, covering a range of topics including: meditation, resilience, project management and photography!

You are not only learning something new, but having this on your CV will show your professional development outside of your degree.

View more resources for gaining experience, on our How to develop your skills at home guide.

You can also access the guide, plus all of our other resources and slides on our Moodle page: DP4450.

Multicoloured pencils joined to make a circle

Lockdown: Study Plus free online events and workshops

During lockdown, why not make the most of all the online Study Plus and Careers events? Develop your skills and meet others with similar interests.

Session include Photography, Editing and Proofreading and Resolving Conflict.

Wednesday 11 November 14.00-15.30 – Introduction to Project Management 

Projects are happening all around us and in the workplace it is likely that you will find yourself either involved in a project or managing one.

The aim of this course is to share some tools and approaches that will help you set-up and deliver your project successfully.

Saturday 14 November – 10.00-14.00 – Emergency First Aid 

An introduction to Emergency first aid. This will be a 4 hour event.
Please note we have limited spaces available so book soon to avoid missing out!

To promote the concept of continuous personal development, positive curiosity, and resilience to succeed.

  • What is a growth mindset
  • Fixed mindset v Growth Mindset – 5 key areas
  • The power of ‘yet’
  • The role of feedback
  • Define what it is and why it is important
  • Common barriers to good time management
  • Understand different types of time management issues, strategies, techniques and tools to address these.
  • Know what their own time management issues are
  • Leave with practical plan specific to their needs

We are living in exceptional times. Lockdown took us all surprise and for many of us it meant reimagining the way we work and manage our lives. But as we ease into this ‘new normal’ what are we doing to ensure that our approaches are as inclusive and emotionally intelligent as possible? You are graduating into a world that is more digital and global than ever before, and this session has been created to give you space to think about your role in making that space accessible and safe for you, and others. This session covers:

  • Why does being inclusive matter: the ethical and business case
  • Power and Privilege and its impact on our working lives
  • The Equality Act 2010 and the legal context
  • Harm reduction: action planning and behavioural changes

No matter who you are, if you interact with people there are bound to be times when we are required to have difficult conversations. Most people would rather not have the conversation, will try to avoid it if possible or hope it goes away, or sometimes we may address the situation ineffectively and potentially make it worse. This course is designed to give you the skills and confidence you need to have those challenging conversations in an effective way.

By attending this course, you will learn:

  • the common reasons why we avoid having difficult conversations
  • principles that will help you get the best out of challenging situations
  • understand common motivations with challenging behaviour
  • how to be assertive

Many organisations now expect all employees to help write quality web content. These skills are a great asset to any company and your career, whatever your academic background and job role.

Whether writing web pages, a corporate blog or helping to build a social media campaign, this session will give you the basics for writing compelling online content. It is highly interactive including group discussion and practical exercises.

During this taster course you will:

  1. Be provided with tools to help you identify your core values, i.e. what matters to you.
  2. Experience increased clarity as to your core values and feel more connected to your own potential and deeper sense of purpose.
  3. Be provided with tools to build self-confidence and curiosity to approach experiences and feedback from a positive and constructive angle.

Learning Outcomes:

  • How you can use the rule of thirds to compose your images
  • How to use layering and  negative space in your images
  • When to change the aperture on your images

The focus of this session the focus will be around language, phrasing, championing and challenging. We will share best practice models, research and advice to ensure attendees feel confident to talk about Equality and Identity in an inclusive and thoughtful way. In the workshop we will explore:

  • Can I say that? Looking at current news stories and challenges
  • Exploring what we mean by ‘tone of voice’ in organisations
  • Guiding principles and best practice
  • Weaponised language and reclaimed words
  • Surgery session

This 2-hour workshop course will provide you with useful communication and leadership skills that will enhance your ability to build relationships and gain respect.

By attending this workshop, you will learn:

  • practical skills to build your confidence when communicating both personally and professionally
  • how to communicate like an influential leader
  • what is needed to build rapport.

Editing and proofreading are transferable skills that will be valued in any job role. At work, you will need to check your own emails and reports. Your employer may also ask you to check other people’s work as part of your role. This session will give you the skills, tools and resources to check written work effectively. It is highly interactive including group discussion and practical exercises.

By the end of the session, participants will have:

  • Understood the need to manage yourself, the team, and the task!
  • Examined their own personality style and therefore how they may manage
  • Explored Problem Solving and Decision-Making tools.
During the second part of this taster course, you will explore how your key values from part 1 are crucial to your chosen career and how to approach your careers and job search from a place of creativity, authenticity and possibility.

Check our Target Connect to see all the Study Plus and careers events on offer. 

Looking up into trees with blue sky

Careers and Employability Service: Supporting you in lockdown

As we begin a second lockdown, we understand this is a very uncertain time for everyone. The Careers and Employability Service is here to support you in exploring, finding and securing work opportunities. The pandemic has meant that there are now different approaches you can take when job hunting, as well as, a variety of ways to develop your skills from home, which in turn can support your mental health, which we want to share with you.

Below are a few positives that have come from the current situation, in relation to your career, which are important to highlight. We will also be sharing our advice over the coming weeks, for students looking to gain experience, prepare applications, apply and succeed in securing work opportunities.

Positives of lockdown and your career

  • While so many people are still working from home, it may mean that you can widen your search when looking for jobs/experience (in terms of ‘location’), as many are now remote. It gives you time to reflect on your career goals and research new job roles. If you are considering your options, book a Careers Guidance Appointment to talk to a Careers Adviser.
  • You can access a wider range of employer events and workshops. Many employers have moved their events online, opening them up to all students.
  • Job-hunting whilst in lockdown provides you with an opportunity to develop skills, such as, resilience and adaptability, which are key skills employers value.

Before considering ideas of what to do during lockdown, it’s important to remember

  • Self-Care is necessary. Do not feel pressured to ‘fill all of your time’. This has been a challenging year and adapting to a new normal can be hard. Of course there are things you can do to develop skills, which can also support mental health, but you need to do what’s right for you.
  • Include some non-negotiables into your day, for example, taking regular breaks or going for a daily walk. Make the most of getting outside and exploring your local area, something our Careers Adviser Amy does regularly (the above image is from her walk before work)
  • Stay in touch with friends / family, to maintain a good network. You can be creative to keep in touch, such as virtual dinner dates, virtual games and quizzes!
  • Make time to do something you enjoy, whether it’s blogging, reading, binging a box set, running etc!
  • Access support from Student Support and Wellbeing, whatever you’re going through, support is available at Kent, including appointments and wellbeing events.

Developing your employability during lockdown
Over the next few weeks we’ll be sharing our advice to help you gain experience, prepare applications, apply and succeed! Keep posted on our social media for our daily tips, and you can also access our ‘How to develop your skills at home’ guide on our Moodle page: DP4450, click on the tab Remote Working & Online Vacancies to access this.

Follow us on:
Facebook; @UKCES
Instagram: @unikentces
Twitter: @unikentemploy