Preparing for employment- task 2

Skills and understanding review:

Here are the conclusions I have drawn from my past and present experiences that will help me to enter the world of work.

1) What do you think that you are good at?
At school my strongest subjects are; english, drama and modern studies- I think this because I got the highest prelim results in my year group in these subjects. I particularly I enjoy english because I really feel as though I have achieved a lot in my critical essays, and they have improved greatly this year. Modern Studies is a fascinating subject to me, everything that we cover in the course is very interesting and I love the fact that all the work I put into revising for it paid off.

I’m also a confident public speaker and won the inter-house event at my school for it last year, I wasn’t always out going and was rather shy up until about my second year of high school. However now I just don’t see the point of being shy, you miss too much worrying what everyone else thinks!

I’m also pretty creative; I came up with 3 talent show acts for my house last year ranging from a musical number to a band with a short film projected in the background. Even though we didn’t win I had a great time, it was a bit stressful but it was all worth it in the end as everyone pulled together and became a team which was great to see. Also I compose my own music, I love the feeling when you finish a piece that you have been working on for a long time and it sounds the way that you wanted it to ( which isn’t always easy!) which I believe demonstrated my devotion to projects I take part in.

I’m good at being an individual, I don’t like to blend into situations and I love meeting new people. I’m discovering who I am as a person this last year and honestly I’m having an amazing time! I may not enjoy the typical teenage things for example one of my hobbies is politics and I can ramble on for ages about this topic, I’m also told that I give good advice to people. I’m also good at giving my self a challenge; last year I completed my bronze duke of Edinburgh award which is something I never thought I’d be able to do! I met lovely people through this experience and learned how to motivate my team in order to get us to reach our goal- even if its freezing cold and we’re trekking through what seems like an eternity of mud!

2) What others think you are good at?
For this question I thought I would ask one of my friends what they thought I was good at, I hope that it is ok that I just used their quote directly.

“She is funny, very creative and good at english and music. Lauren can also use her imagination and intelligence to a great advantage. She can work well as part of a team and leading a team. She’s also great at finding the deeper meaning in things in particular film, poetry and literature. Lauren is also able to put her ideas and view points across in a sophisticated manner and accept the view of others. She is good at acting and is also an amazing friend (a bit cheesy I know!).She is good at using her common sense and making people feel better when they are down. Lauren is a very busy person; but she somehow manages to balance all of the things that she is involved in, I think this is partially due to the fact that she is very organised and applies herself to everything she does.”

3) How do you see your self as an employee?
As an employee I think that I am always punctual and hardworking. I like to have fun while working as it only makes the job more enjoyable. It is important to be able to be dependable and reliable as an employee. Which instills confidence in your employer and they know that you can be trusted and are a loyal and positive attribute to them.

4) How do you see yourself as a friend?
My friends say that I’m a great listener and I always help them when they have a problem that they want to talk about, they additionally think that I’m very cheery person and that my positive attitude is very infectious- as is my laugh! They think that I’m a confident and out going person, that they sometimes worry takes on too much, but they know that I will always ask them for help if I need it.

I see myself as a very loyal friend and that when there is the occasional falling out I do my best to bring them back together and see where the other person is coming from. I also feel as though I can be trusted as a friend and that my friends know that they can tell me anything and that I won’t judge them and try to help them through the situation.

5) Why do you feel as though the things that you have mentioned will come in useful when looking for a job?
I feel as though my positive attitude will be very helpful when I am looking for a job, as I know that I will not get every job that I apply for and that it is important to remain optimistic through the process. As I’m both a great speaker and listener I think that this will come in useful when I’m looking for a job as employees will see that I have good interview skills and could work well both independently and as part as team.

My ingenuity will also be an advantage when looking for a job as it will allow possible employers to see how adaptable I am and that I can learn new skills very quickly. My experience in public speaking will help me especially in the interview process of finding employment- this is because I will be able to communicate my skills and how these would be of an asset to my possible employer.

6) How do the qualities that you have written about relate to the industry that you are interested in?
I think that in the future career that I see my self in (television journalist/ broadcaster or director) creativity is defiantly crucial as you have to have a vision of want you want to make and how you want it to look. You also have to be driven as it is an extremely competitive business, so you have to really want your goal in order to achieve it. You additionally have to be able to work independently and also as part of a large team because as a director you would be expected to be in control of the situation and the other people working on the set.

In regards of being a television journalist you have to be confident as you may have to interview any type of person and get a good answer out of them so that it can be used. You also have to keep your sources and information up to date and so intelligence and organisation are essential to this.

Lauren :)

Preparing for employment- task 1

Skills and understanding review:
Mentor Discussion Point:

Activity and Skills Developed as result of activity


Public Speaking: Through this activity I learned that confidence and organisation are key- being able to back up an argument with solid facts will always make your point of view more persuading. Additionally being able to listen to others view points is very important as it gives you a different perspective on the subject.

Music Lessons/ shows: I have been playing guitar for 5 years and tenor horn for four; its great fun and I think it shows real enthusiasm and motivation because I have stuck with them for so long and hope to continue for many years to come!

Filming project- through mPOWER: Recently I was in production for my first short film with my fellow interns. My role was the producer/ 2nd AD and hair/make up/ costume. As a result of these roles I developed my team working skills as we all had to work together to make sure that we finished on time, additionally I had to come up with quick solutions to problems and be very conscious of our management of time. The project would not have of been on time if it was not for the planning and organisation that took place before had.

Documentary team with mPOWER: I am also a part of the team documenting the mPOWER experience; I have developed my camera and interview skills that will come in handy for my internship and for my desired career as a television journalist. I learned that everyone in the group has to depend on one another in order for it to be a success and that there has to be strong communication within the group.

School year captain: As part of this role I have developed my leadership and communication skills, as I often have to take the feed back of a pupil and pass these onto a teacher or senior house captain so that the pupils can feel that they have a voice and that it is being heard. I also have to work as part of a large team and make sure that everyone feels valued, because if we work together then goals shall be achieved effectively and efficiently

Swimming team: I have been a member of my high school swimming team since I arrived at the high school four years ago. I now also help at the junior club as well as attending the senior team practices. In order to attend all of the practices and extra-curricular activities that I participate in I have to be very organised and manage my time well. As I work with pupils aged S1-S3 I have to be enthusiastic and motivating to make sure that they improve their swimming and to have a fun time doing so.

Supported study/ independent studying:I’m in forth year, this year is a big exam year for me as I am doing standard grades in- chemistry, French, drama, modern studies, biology and music and intermediate 2 English: as I am fast-tracked in this subject. I have to be in control of my own learning and make sure that I stick to a study plan, meaning that I also have to organise my time well. I think I’ve shown real initiative and attend supported study sessions with my teachers and peers in order to make sure that I understand the course material. I also have to be flexible and make sure that I don’t burn myself out with everything I take on so I make sure that I have time to go out with friends and have a good laugh.

Lauren :)