Source Autumn 2014

Autumn 2014 www.sourcemagazine.org.uk

THE

Big INTERVIEW

TWIN ATLANTIC FROM BASEMENT BARS TO GLASTONBURY - THE ONLY WAY IS UP FOR SCOTLAND’S FINEST

Careers Advice

Student Life

Top Celebs

MEDIA JOBS WORKING WITH ANIMALS FINANCE

STUDY TIPS DEALING WITH ANXIETY AMERICAN GAP YEARS

SARAH-JANE CRAWFORD RIXTON PRIDES

SCOTLAND’S NUMBER ONE STUDENT MAGAZINE

PUBLISHER Denise Connelly denise@dcpublishing.co.uk

ASSISTANT EDITOR Lindsay Cochrane lindsay.cochrane@dcpublishing.co.uk

EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS Laura Brown Laura Donaldson Mikhaila Friel Amy Johnston Ally McCrae Rachel Munford Eilidh Stewart

DESIGN/PRODUCTION Gillian Smith gillian.smith@dcpublishing.co.uk

SALES Marian Mathieson marian.mathieson@dcpublishing.co.uk

elcome to the latest issue of Source! It’s a new academic year and a fresh start for students across Scotland. In the spirit of the new term, we’ve got plenty to help you get the most out of this year and figure out where your future career path lies.

W

Deciding what you want to do further down the line can be tricky, so start by looking at your skills and interests. I loved writing and I’ve always been really nosy, so journalism seemed like a perfect fit. (I also liked the idea of getting to interview famous people that I fancy, which I did this issue – hiya, Barry from Twin Atlantic!) If it’s not as clear cut as that for you, we’ve taken a look at a few different career options to offer some inspiration. We’ve got the lowdown on making it as a solicitor, an overview of the different ! DON'T MISS jobs available working with animals, the inside track • THE ONLINE on careers in finance and we’ve taken a look at ENTREPRENEURS (P10) working in the media too.

• HELPING OTHERS AND YOURSELF (P27) • MANAGING SOCIAL MEDIA

The secret to success, whether it’s in exams or your working life, is always hard work – and this issue, MISTAKES (P40) we’ve spoken to some famous faces who know all about that. Don’t miss our big interview with Twin Atlantic, the nicest and hardest working boys in the business, plus Xtra Factor’s new host Sarah-Jane Crawford stopped by to tell us about her uni memories. Elsewhere, Prides open up about their first year in music and up-and-coming Scots actress Louise Linton talks about life in Hollywood.

For those of you promising yourselves a more organised year, we’ve got plenty to get you prepped – check out our tips to getting off on the right foot on page 30, discover the best study apps on page 32 and don’t miss our UCAS personal statement advice.

www.sourcemagazine.org.uk DC Publishing Ltd, 200 Bath Street, Glasgow, G2 4HG Tel: 0844 2499 007 Fax: 0141 353 0435

And that’s just scraping the surface of what we have for autumn! So take some time out from all the new term excitement, pop on your favourite playlist and get stuck in...

Lindsay Cochrane, Assistant Editor

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ON THE

WEB

In between print dates for Source, our team of student writers are adding extra content to our website at www.sourcemagazine.org.uk – so head on over to see what they’ve been up to!

Online now, final year uni student Laura Brown offers some first-hand advice for university freshers staying at home with Mum and Dad for the duration of their degree. Kirsty McKenzie’s been speaking to some high-flyers with brilliant jobs too – check out her interview with fashion journalist Ruairidh Pritchard. Don’t miss Ben Hardy’s account of volunteering in Ghana with Projects Abroad either – you’ll want to book up in an instant!

If you want to add your voice to the pages of Source, get in touch now! Email us at workexperience@dcpublishing.co.uk to get yourself heard...

©DC Publishing Ltd 2014. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or used in any way without prior written permission from the publisher. The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of DC Publishing Ltd. The publisher takes no responsibility for claims made by advertisers within the publication. Every effort has been made to ensure that information is accurate; while dates and prices are correct at time of going to print, DC Publishing Ltd takes no responsibility for omissions and errors.

AUTUMN 2014

The HOT list THE HOT LIST

AUTUMN 2014 TV 30 August, ITV It’s all change at X Factor HQ this year, with Mr Nasty Simon Cowell back in the head judge’s chair, and he’s got Cheryl Fernandez-Versini and Spice Girl Mel B to join old favourite Louis Walsh on the panel. Bring on the dodgy auditions, scathing remarks and rivers of tears!

Sport

Movie

THE RYDER CUP 23-28 September, Gleneagles Golf is coming home to Scotland as the exciting US v Europe tournament makes its way to Gleneagles. If you haven’t got tickets to head along and do some polite applause, you can tune into the BBC’s coverage.

GONE GIRL Expected release date: 3 October Be prepared for a deadly twist... Ben Affleck plays Nick, an emotionless husband whose wife disappears under mysterious circumstances. Is Amy (Rosamund Pike) simply missing or has she been murdered?

Album

Gig

ELLA HENDERSON – CHAPTER ONE

ELLA EYRE

Out 22 September After the phenomenal success of her debut single Ghost, X Factor darling Ella releases her first album this September on Cowell’s label Syco. She’s described this album as an ‘open diary’, so expect thoughtful lyrics and soaring melodies.

6 October, O2 ABC, Glasgow She’s got big hair, an even bigger voice and a truly gigantic stage presence. After providing the vocals for Rudimental’s Waiting All Night, it’s been a phenomenal year for Ella Eyre – so don’t miss out on her Glasgow show this autumn.

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Autumn 2014

X FACTOR IMAGE: ©CORBIS/THAMES TV/SYCO; GONE GIRL IMAGE: TM AND © 2014 TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX FILM CORPORATION. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

THE X FACTOR

AUTUMN 2014

PHOTO: JOSEPH SINCLAIR

Contents

8

Interviews

Careers

6 LOCAL HEROES: TWIN ATLANTIC

10

Barry McKenna, guitarist of Glasgow rock outfit Twin Atlantic, talks album number two.

8

12

CELEBRITY GRADUATE

TEN OUT OF TEN

The young entrepreneurs behind the latest sunglasses craze.

12

ANIMAL MAGIC

An overview of the best jobs that involve working with some furry friends.

This issue, Xtra Factor starlet Sarah-Jane Crawford takes a trip down memory lane to relive her student days.

16

A FUTURE IN FINANCE

39

The way to make money is to be in money – we take a look at the world of finance.

Flying the flag for Scotland in Hollywood, actress Louise tells us about life in the spotlight.

20

INTRODUCING...

LOUISE LINTON

46 RIXTON: "WE WANT TO BE DOING THIS WHEN WE'RE OLD!"

50

10 MINUTES WITH... PRIDES

Fresh from the Commonwealth Closing Ceremony, singer Stewart speaks to Source.

Dream of a high-flying career in the exciting world of the media? We speak to two young Scots who’ve done it already.

23

The chart-toppers took some time out from their US tour.

MAKING IT IN THE MEDIA

ASK THE EXPERT

Studying 24

MAKE A STATEMENT

A quick guide to the perfect UCAS personal statement.

30

THE NEXT CHAPTER

Getting off on the right foot for the new year.

33

APP-Y STUDYING!

The best smartphone apps to ease your study woes.

Time out 34 USA: THE LAND OF OPPORTUNITY

Work, study and travel options in the USA. 40

SOCIAL MEDIA MISTAKES

This issue, we find out how to make it as a solicitor.

How to fix those Facebook, Twitter and Snapchat errors.

MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

42 ANXIETY: DON’T SUFFER IN SILENCE

27

Give something back to your local community and boost your career at the same time.

37

ACE THAT INTERVIEW

Whether it’s for college, uni or your dream job, don’t panic about that allimportant interview.

45

24

How to cope if feelings of panic and anxiety are starting to affect your life.

48 SOUND BITES WITH ALLY MCCRAE

Scotland’s biggest music fan shares his favourite new bands with Source.

MASTER CHEF!

If you’re leaving the family home this autumn, check out our tips for success in the kitchen.

INTERVIEW

Since their critically acclaimed debut album release three years ago, life’s been a bit of a whirlwind for Glasgow’s own Twin Atlantic. With sell out gigs worldwide, dominating the main stage at T in the Park, support slots with Kings of Leon and Blink-182, Live Lounge performances at Radio 1 and an appearance at Glastonbury, Sam McTrusty, Craig Kneale, Ross McNae and Barry McKenna have come a long way from the early days, playing grubby basement bars across the country. We caught up with guitarist Barry to talk humble beginnings, bucket list shows and the band’s brilliant new album, Great Divide...

TWIN ATLANTIC: LOCAL HEROES

After three years away, you’re back with a new album. What can we expect from Great Divide?

You can expect a bit of a progression. I think we’ve taken a couple of unexpected steps in some different directions on this record. There’s some of the poppier moments, some glam moments, some more indie moments on there, but at the same time, there’s some of the heaviest moments that we’ve had as a band as well. Sam, lyrically on this record, has really pushed himself too.

What’s your favourite track?

I always think that’s like being asked to choose who’s your favourite child and why!

There’s a couple of songs. I love Heart and Soul. It was a different type of song, a lot more fun. There’s another song on the record which is a bit special called Be a Kid. You guys have been together for seven years now – what’s been the biggest challenge along the way?

Early on, it was finding enough money to eat. When you start touring with a band, it can be hard enough, never mind not having any money. We had a much more

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AUTUMN 2014

NEW RECORD: (l-r) Ross, Sam, Craig and Barry are gearing up for their second album release

INTERVIEW

punk ethos in our band. We did a lot of grassroots touring, playing a lot of small places. Now that we can afford to buy dinner, the biggest challenge is being away from home for longer periods of time and missing the people we love back home. There’s always little challenges here and there but ultimately, you’ve got to put it into perspective because we all love being in this band. It’s such a privilege to get to tour around the world with your mates, playing music and doing something you love every night.

If you could give any advice to yourself when you were first starting out in the band, what would it be?

Don’t do it! Get a job! Go back to uni! [laughs] No, I don’t know. See, we’re opening a can of worms because if I went back and gave some advice to myself, I might have done things differently, and we might not be where we are today. I watch enough time travel movies to know the butterfly effect. You start fading out of photographs if you go back and start messing with your past.

How much has the industry changed since you started out?

We kind of started being a band at the turn of the social network generation – we were a MySpace band originally. I guess that’s really shaped the industry, to the point where the biggest retailer of music now is online. It won’t be long before all gigs are online, everyone will sign onto their

What’s the best part of your job?

There’s so many good parts. Getting to be creative is amazing; to be artistic and express myself. Getting to do that with my mates is even more special. And also getting to meet people across the world and experience different cultures and travel and try and learn different languages – I say ‘try and learn different languages’,

“IT WON’T BE LONG BEFORE ALL GIGS ARE ONLINE, EVERYONE WILL SIGN ONTO THEIR COMPUTER AND THE BAND’LL PLAY IN A REMOTE LOCATION AND WE’LL ALL WATCH IT ON FACEBOOK!” computer and the band’ll play in a remote location and we’ll all watch it on Facebook!

Thankfully, for us, at the heart of the industry, it's still men and women getting in a room with an engineer and a producer, making records. I don’t think that’ll ever change.

You’ve gone from MySpace to playing Glastonbury – what was that like?

That was definitely a bucket list festival for all of us. We clashed with a couple of other ginormous guitar bands, Metallica and Pixies, which we thought was going to be suicide for us. We just thought, ‘We’re going to be playing to an empty tent.’ But it was packed out. The fact that people chose to spend their evening with us rather than these other legendary bands made it even more special for us.

Great Divide by Twin Atlantic is out now on Red Bull Records

what I mean is ‘butcher different languages’. But getting to play music every night and have connections with people who’ve come to the gig and seeing people let their hair down and enjoy themselves – that’s a pretty cool thing to be able to bring into people’s lives.

Why should Source readers check out the album?

Well, I mean, without being a shameless salesman – it’s really good. [laughs] I’m kidding on! We’re really proud of the record, we love it. We wouldn’t be releasing it if we didn’t think it was good enough to put out there. We know there are like-minded people out there who are going to love it as much as we do. Listen to it! l

CHECK IT OUT AUTUMN 2014

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INTERVIEW

THE

Celebrity GRADUATE

Sarah-Jane Crawford SHE'S GOT THE XTRA FACTOR

The Radio 1Xtra host and new Xtra Factor presenter relives her student days with Source...

Where did you go to university?

I went to Kingston Uni and then I went to Anglia Ruskin.

What did you study?

I had this idea in my head that I wanted to be this high-flying business woman – I was going to be an investment banker and make lots of money. I studied economics at Kingston – I thought that was the best degree to have. I passed the two years that I did, and then I went and did Shipwrecked. That was a nice junction where I realised, ‘I don’t even like this degree.’ I moved back to my parents', saved some money and went and did marketing at Anglia Ruskin. I was able to go into the second year of my marketing degree because I’d already done two years of a business course. I absolutely loved it – if I got a chance to work on anything marketing-related now, I would.

How would you sum up your uni experience?

Kingston was fun. Anglia – I got down to work a bit more. At Kingston, I was in uni mode at freshers' parties. Second year, I moved into a shared house – I lived with a friend who I’m still really good friends with. We had a brilliant time – there was three of us living in this flat, and we had no money but really expensive tastes!

We had, like, a fiver but we’d still try and go to really expensive clubs and hope people would buy us drinks! It was a

“WE HAD, LIKE, A FIVER BUT WE’D STILL TRY AND GO TO REALLY EXPENSIVE CLUBS AND HOPE PEOPLE WOULD BUY US DRINKS!” magical time, because you’re just so hopeful about the future.

How did you go from marketing to TV and radio?

I’d always wanted to work in entertainment but because I was academic, I threw myself into school.

After Shipwrecked, I thought, ‘What about presenting?’ I got a job straight out of uni at an accountancy firm doing marketing, but I got some work with a shopping channel, then someone that I went to primary school with got in touch

on Facebook saying, “I’m working for this production company and we make programmes for Channel 4.” I went along and screen tested and it went really well.

And the rest is history!

How much has your degree helped your presenting?

I still look at things in terms of marketing and how to position a brand – even myself.

On my Radio 1Xtra show, our demographic is massively student-led. My experience helps me because I can definitely remember what I went through.

Do you think university is worth it?

Oh, 100%! It’s not for everyone – if I had kids and they weren’t interested, I wouldn’t make them go to uni. But it teaches you life skills, it teaches you to be analytical in your thinking and it teaches you to make friends outside of your comfort zone. l

CHECK IT OUT

Catch Sarah-Jane on The Xtra Factor, straight after The X Factor, on ITV2 this autumn.

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AUTUMN 2014

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@SourceMag

CAREERS

THE

Young ENTREPRENEURS

Kris: It’s always changing! The first few weeks we were looking at totals, incoming orders, deliveries and press enquiries.

Marty: Then last week we were in Glasgow packing orders all day. Seeing the feedback on Instagram is so good!

THE FUTURE'S BRIGHT: Good job the Tens founders (l-r) Marty Bell, Tom Welsh and Kris Reid have got their sunglasses

TEN OUT OF TEN Found the Scottish summer a bit too grey? Three young entrepreneurs from Edinburgh might have the answer. Source’s Laura Brown chats to Marty Bell and Kris Reid, two thirds of Tens — the trending sunglasses that aim to make your world more colourful...

How was Tens born?

Marty: The three of us were driving from Edinburgh to Inverness, and the radio in my mum’s battered Corsa was broken.

We ended up talking nonsense and somehow stumbled upon the idea of photoshopping real life. We thought a pair of sunglasses with the right lens would probably work.

How did you go about producing the glasses?

Kris: The first step was trying to source the product. We had very high expectations for the quality and frame, but the most difficult part was

replicating that perfect lens tint.

Marty: We used alibaba. com and contacted factory after factory that manufactured sunglasses. We showed them a before and after picture of how we wanted the lenses to look. The language barrier was a nightmare!

What’s a typical day like for you guys?

Marty: Lots of spreadsheets, a ridiculous amount of emails, lots of customer enquiries with stupid questions…

What’s the best thing that’s happened since you started Tens?

Kris: On day three, we were about to make £100,000 in pre-orders and we literally couldn’t keep up with emails. We realised we had to take on a member of staff so we could focus on the bigger picture. Within a handful of days, I’d left my old job and taken on my first employee.

Marty: Seeing all the places where the orders have come from is crazy – 84 countries!

Did you ever think Tens would be this popular?

Kris: We had no idea that the response would be so quick. We hit our £9,400 Indiegogo crowd funding target in under two hours, which looking back on, is crazy! On day one we had made £38,000 of pre-orders.

Marty: We were barely expecting to make that in the whole campaign, so it was mind-blowing for us.

What advice would you give to young people wanting to start a business?

Marty: Online crowd funding sites are a good option. You really need to plan and test all your ideas – but not always with friends as they’re always nice to you! Shopify is a decent way to trial-run an idea without spending a lot of cash.

What’s next for Tens?

Kris: We want to be able to offer next day delivery and wholesale deals. We’d also like more frame styles, but right now it’s all about the lens.

Marty: The beauty of running an online business is that it’s all on the laptop. I like the idea of cruising on the internet and being a bit nomadic.

And yes, we’ve got more ideas – a notepad full of them! l

CHECK IT OUT

You can order Tens online via Indiegogo.com, and keep up to date on Twitter at @tenslife

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AUTUMN 2014

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CAREERS

ANIMAL magic

We look at some of the different job roles available for those who fancy working with all creatures great and small...

ANIMAL CARE ASSISTANT

Care assistants are responsible for looking after a range of different animals in kennels, rescue centres and sanctuaries.

Duties include preparing food, grooming and exercising animals, cleaning out kennels and pens and looking after animals that are unwell or distressed.

This can be dirty, hard work, but also hugely rewarding – where else do you get paid to play with puppies? You can go straight into animal care from school and receive training on the job.

VETERINARY SURGEON

Vets diagnose and treat sick animals – they're doctors for a million and one different species essentially. Vets diagnose health problems, treat injuries, operate, carry out tests like x-rays and scans, prescribe medicine for pets, do regular checkups and more. Some vets work with small pets, others with larger farm animals or even zoo inhabitants. You have to do a five-year degree in veterinary medicine to register with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS).

ZOO KEEPER

While the animals they care for might be exotic (race you to the panda enclosure), the work is far from glamorous – you’d be amazed how much poo zebras can produce.

As well as caring for zoo creatures, keepers are involved in research and conservation work to help protect species in the wild. You can get into this line of work from school, but a qualification in zoology or animal biology is a big advantage.

STUDY IT! If you want to get your foot up on the animal-related career ladder, studying for a relevant qualification could help. Here’s an overview of some of the courses on offer at a selection of Scotland’s universities and colleges...

SCOTLAND'S RURAL COLLEGE

www.sruc.ac.uk Animal lovers have plenty of courses to choose from at Scotland’s Rural College – how about veterinary nursing, horse care and equine studies, animal care or animal science?

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AUTUMN 2014

EDINBURGH NAPIER

GLASGOW UNIVERSITY

ABERDEEN UNIVERSITY

EDINBURGH UNIVERSITY

www.napier.ac.uk At Napier, you can sign up for a degree in animal biology, a great course for aspiring zoo keepers, researchers or wildlife conservationists.

www.gla.ac.uk Glasgow’s one of two centres in Scotland where you can study veterinary medicine. They’ve also got a veterinary biosciences course and a zoology degree.

www.abdn.ac.uk Head up to the Granite City for a degree in marine biology. The university has its own high tech Oceanlab on the North Sea coast where students learn about life under the sea.

www.ed.ac.uk At Edinburgh, you can also study veterinary medicine. For postgraduate options, check out their applied animal welfare and animal behaviour MSc or their equine science master’s.

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CAREERS

DOG HANDLER

Working with service dogs in the police, Army, UK Border Agency, HM Revenue and Customs and security services, dog handlers train and care for working animals. Dog handlers work with specially trained pooches to find missing people, detect drugs, control crowds, guard military bases, patrol properties and more. Dog handling and animal care courses are a good starting point but you’ll generally have to work with the relevant body, as a police officer or a soldier for instance, before you transfer into the dog unit.

Contact the body you fancy working for to find out more.

VETERINARY NURSE

Veterinary nurses work alongside veterinary surgeons to care for sick animals. Typical duties include preparing nursing plans, giving injections, administering medication, collecting blood and urine samples, preparing animals for operations and helping during surgery and procedures. To train as a vet nurse, you can either do an apprenticeship, college course or a degree and get accreditation from the RCVS.

HORSE RIDING INSTRUCTOR

Giddy up, horse lovers, we’ve got the job for you! There’s no set entry route to this line of work but, as well as being an experienced rider yourself, you can study towards specialist qualifications with the British Horse Society or study horse care

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and equine studies at college. Instructors teach people of all ages how to ride, train riders for competition, pay close attention to health and safety and often oversee work in the stables too.

ZOOLOGIST

If you like animals, have a scientific mind and enjoy research, check out zoology. Zoologists study animals and their behaviour full-time and their work covers a wide range of different things, from pest control to animal welfare and education. A degree in zoology or animal biology will get you started. l

Get the experience Whether you’re mad for dogs, dolphins, parrots or penguins, you’ve got loads of options to kick start your work experience now.

WEEKEND JOBS A weekend job in your local pet shop is a good starting point. Sure, scooping up hamsters and selling dog food might not be the hands-on experience you’re after, but you’ll learn a lot about various different pets and probably get to meet some lovely animals too.

WORK EXPERIENCE Contact local veterinary surgeries or animal parks to enquire about unpaid work experience too, either for a week or on a more regular basis. Placements like this tend not to be advertised, so show some initiative and get in touch.

VOLUNTEER Organisations such as Dog’s Trust (www.dogstrust. org.uk), the SSPCA (www. scottishspca.org), PDSA (www.pdsa.org.uk), Cats Protection (www.cats. org.uk) and the RSPB (www. rspb.org.uk) all welcome volunteers in a range of different roles. Edinburgh Zoo (www. edinburghzoo.org.uk) and the Highland Wildlife Park (www. highlandwildlifepark.org.uk) both recruit volunteers on a regular basis, helping out with their education programmes. They occasionally offer part-time jobs too.

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CAREERS

ACCOUNTANCY

Professionals working in accounts make sure companies' and individuals’ finances remain ‘healthy’, look at ways in which companies can save money and check over annual accounts. The profession spans a breadth of different areas, such as forensic accounts (looking out for fraud), tax (advising on tax issues) and financial accounts (checking financial records add up and interpreting what they mean). Accounts is just as much about communication, research and understanding legal frameworks as it is about numbers, so top marks in maths isn’t always essential. You can get into accounts straight from school through a school leaver programme with the likes of BDO and KPMG, apply for an apprenticeship or go through a graduate scheme. You can study for a degree in accounts, which is helpful when it comes to sitting the industry-accredited ICAS exams, or you can apply for a scheme with a solid degree in another subject.

JOB ROLES: Management accountant, financial accountant, forensic accountant, auditor, tax accountant, compliance assistant, corporate financier.

7% OF SCOTLAND’S WORKFORCE ARE EMPLOYED IN FINANCIAL SERVICES

BANKING

Working in a bank or building society, you could be a cashier handling money from members of the public, a branch manager dealing with the daily running of a high street bank or a financial advisor or mortgage advisor. You could handle calls and enquiries in a bustling call centre, you could work in mergers and acquisitions dealing with takeovers of big companies, you might work in corporate banking helping small and large companies handle their cash... The list is endless!

As banks are such huge organisations, there are lots of supporting roles too in areas like marketing and administration.

Lots of banks have excellent graduate schemes, welcoming people from all backgrounds, but apprenticeships and school leaver schemes are also available, and there’s always the option of applying for a job in-branch straight from school and working your way up – if you’re a hard worker, there’s plenty of scope for promotion.

JOB ROLES: Bank manager, mortgage advisor, cashier, complaint handler, customer service assistant.

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AUTUMN 2014

A FUTURE

IN FINANCE Scotland’s financial services sector is a vast and varied industry, and there’s potential for big money – and you don’t necessarily have to be a maths whizz! We explain what the different areas that make up the industry are all about, and highlight some of the job roles open to everyone from school leavers to graduates...

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CAREERS

INSURANCE

Lots of everyday things need insurance – from houses to cars, mobile phones to your health, there’s a policy for just about everything.

In some parts of the world, kidnap cover is needed while big music festivals will get insurance in case their headline act pulls out. There are lots of different jobs to suit different interests – and you could make mega bucks! Actuaries, for instance, are involved in forecasting and predicting financial trends using a very specific field of maths and stats – and you can earn as much as £100k a year by doing so! Elsewhere in insurance, underwriters are needed to determine whether or not a person can be insured and what terms should be applied, salespeople have to get on the phones and sell the policies, claims managers look at all insurance claims that come into the company and insurance brokers help customers find the right policy for them.

JOB ROLES: Actuary, claims manager, insurance broker, underwriter, salesperson.

INVESTMENT

THE FINANCIAL SECTOR IN SCOTLAND EMPLOYS 85,000 PEOPLE DIRECTLY

Investment is essentially about helping people to make more money.

From individuals with a small amount of cash to invest to major companies, investment can be pretty varied – and if you’ve got a head of numbers, it could be a great place for you.

Whether you’re investing people’s money for them in the stock market, making predictions and forecasting, offering advice to ordinary people and big companies, managing big funds or advising an organisation on the law, there’s loads you can do.

A solid degree will get you started in this field – economics or financerelated qualifications are a big bonus.

JOB ROLES: Financial adviser, trader, fund administrator, investment analyst, risk analyst, stockbroker, economist, compliance expert. l

Directions - www.directions.org.uk My World of Work - www.myworldofwork.co.uk/the-finance-industry

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ON THE

WEB

PETER LYNCH JOB AUDIT ASSISTANT ON THE

Peter Lynch is an audit assistant working the Edinburgh offices of Baker Tilly, a UK partnership of chartered accountants. Peter’s going through the firm’s graduate scheme, training towards his ICAS chartered accountancy qualification.

How did you get into this line of work?

Before I went to uni, I taught skiing in America and then I did law at university.

Following university, I worked on a business management graduate scheme with an engineering company for 18 months. Throughout that, I was thinking that I needed to do something that I’d get more out of, so I looked at different career options and decided that getting into audit and training to be a chartered accountant was probably the best thing for my career in the long run.

What does an audit assistant do?

We go out in a team normally of two, three or four people, with one audit supervisor. The audit assistants go out with the supervisor and go through various different sections of accounts. We report these back to the senior, any adjustments that are needed are made and the accounts are finalised with the client.

We interact with the client and make sure we have all the appropriate information to support what’s in the account and it’s all accurate.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

The people I work with, funnily enough.

A lot of people say accountants are boring, but we're really not!

What skills and qualities are helpful for people considering accountancy?

A good eye for detail. An inquisitive nature helps too, and definitely the ability to communicate. If you can’t communicate with clients particularly effectively, you end up not being able to do any of the work.

For more information on careers with Baker Tilly, head to careers.bakertilly.co.uk

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CAREERS

ON TV: JOB RACHAEL FULTON ON THE

Rachael, 27, took her Spanish degree on to study multimedia journalism at Glasgow Caledonian University.

She’s now a production researcher on The Riverside Show, a nightly magazine show on STV Glasgow.

What does your job involve?

I do a lot of the ‘behind the scenes’ stuff on The Riverside Show. I’ll contact potential interviewees, research for different parts of the show, book bands, book chefs and stuff like that. I’m responsible for ferrying the guests from the green room to the studio, making sure they’re briefed on their questions and they’re comfortable about the questions they’re going to be asked.

MAKING IT IN THE MEDIA Imagine being a part of something that provokes debate, entertains and informs thousands of people of what’s going on around them – it’s all possible in the world of the media! We caught up with two Scots making their mark in radio and TV...

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ON RADIO: JOB EMMA CLIFFORD ON THE

Since graduating from a multimedia journalism master’s in 2010, 26-yearold Emma from Glasgow has been working at BBC Radio Scotland, where she’s now a content producer on the station’s Morning Call programme.

What do you do on a day to day basis?

On Morning Call, we talk about what’s in the news and listeners phone in to give their views. It’s my job to have a look through the papers and find something interesting to look at. I’ll pitch that to my senior producer and presenter, then my team will go away and find the different case studies and experts to put on air. Then comes the exciting bit – going live! In the studio, it’s my job to direct the presenter. I’ll be speaking in their ear, telling them what caller to go to, things like that. After the show, it’s time for paper work.

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I do a ‘what’s on’ guide on-screen too, which is a two-minute to-camera piece about what’s on in Glasgow. It’s non-stop!

How did you get into TV? I actually interned at Source while I was doing my MA in multimedia journalism! Before I graduated, STV online, which is now the app, advertised for someone to do their ‘going out’ section. I started working there and then I moved onto the magazine section, writing features about Glasgow, and then STV Glasgow, the TV channel, came up earlier in the year. I applied and they gave me a wee job.

What’s your favourite part of the job?

It’s such an exciting environment to work in. It’s lovely to

How did you get into this line of work?

I did a degree in politics and journalism and creative writing, then a master’s in multimedia journalism. At uni, I did a lot of work with Sunny Govan Community Radio. Community radio is a fantastic way of getting experience. That was a great way of learning how to actually do things. I then did work experience at the BBC, which led to paid shifts.

What’s been your proudest achievement so far?

I produced the programme after Nelson Mandela died and we set up some fantastic guests. We had members of the public phone in who had grown up under apartheid and are living in Scotland now. I was really proud of that show.

Creative Skillset www.creativeskillset.org

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think that people are actually at home watching us. It’s amazing to know that you’re actually connecting with people that you haven’t met and that they’re enjoying it.

MEDIA EXPERIENCE SUSSED

What’s your advice for anyone who wants to make it in TV? Work hard. Do work experience. If you’re enthusiastic and a nice person and you’re really genuinely keen, that really pays off – and I can’t stress that enough. You have to be multi-skilled too. You have to be able to do video, do radio, be able to talk on camera, to do social media – everything.

Because it’s such a competitive industry, the key to media success is work experience – but how do you get the most out of your placement? Source’s assistant editor Lindsay Cochrane, who oversees the work experience candidates who come into the office, offers some advice...

For more information on careers and work experience opportunities with STV, head to www.stvplc.tv/careers

What’s the hardest part of the job?

Finding new and engaging contributors and working to such a tight deadline. I absolutely love it though. I love going into work and not knowing what I’ll be facing that morning. You become a mini expert in absolutely everything. I’d probably be quite good in a pub quiz!

What should people do if they want to work in radio?

Get as much work experience as you can! Don’t be scared to contact people directly, write to people, phone people. It won’t come to you, you have to go out there and get it yourself.

Find out more about jobs with the BBC at www.bbc.co.uk/careers

All Media Scotland www.allmediascotland.com

• DON’T PANIC Whether you’re at a TV channel, radio station, newspaper office or magazine publisher, it’s a really busy, fast-paced and exciting environment, so don’t be afraid to speak, ask questions and offer to help if there’s something you think you could do – this is your chance to get lots of things to write on your CV and add to your portfolio so grab every opportunity.

• BE POLITE, FRIENDLY AND POSITIVE In this game, nice guys have the best contacts and the best reputation – establish that early on and people throughout the industry will be itching to work with you.

• MAKE YOURSELF INDISPENSIBLE Offer to help, share ideas, ask questions and make sure that anything you’re asked do – whether you’re trawling newspapers for ideas, putting letters in envelopes or writing an article for publication – is the best you can make it.

• MAKE SUGGESTIONS If you have an idea for a feature or you see a mistake that’s been missed, speak up! It will be appreciated.

• OFFER TO MAKE THE TEA It’s a simple gesture, but anyone in the business will tell you – we’ve all been there...

To find out about work experience opportunities with Source, email Lindsay at lindsay. cochrane@dcpublishing.co.uk

Mediargh www.mediargh.com

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Ask the Expert...

HOW DO YOU BECOME A SOLICITOR? We sat down with Heather McKendrick, careers and outreach manager at the Law Society of Scotland, to find out how you go about pursuing a career in law...

How do you go about becoming a solicitor?

The first stage is the law degree, also known as the LLB. For students with a degree in a different subject, they can take the graduate entry LLB which takes two years full-time. On completion of the law degree, students wishing to qualify as a solicitor then undertake the one-year diploma in professional legal practice. That takes all the knowledge that you’ve obtained during the degree and applies it in a more practical setting. There are fees attached, which is currently averaging at about £6,500.

Some government support is currently available in the form of loans. The final stage of the route to qualification is the traineeship. The majority of trainees work in a solicitor’s office, which is known as private practice. It’s also possible to undertake a traineeship working under the supervision of a solicitor in an organisation such as local government, a bank or building society, for example.

Trainees receive a salary during the training contract.

What can you do after you’ve qualified?

The majority of solicitors continue to work in private practice, and a good

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number work ‘in-house’ – the legal department of an organisation. Some qualified solicitors decide they want to become an advocate – the work of an advocate is expert presentation in court. That involves a year spent as a trainee advocate, known as ‘devilling’.

Further into their career, some may also wish to think about becoming a judge.

Do all solicitors work in court?

It’s actually possible for many solicitors to go through their entire career and never go into court – it depends on the kind of work they are involved in. Solicitors specialising in litigation will go in court but in commercial law, intellectual property or property law, for instance, you might never have to.

What qualities are important in law students?

You have to have high attention to detail. You also have to be able to think on your feet a lot of the time. If you’re dealing with clients, you have to be able to understand their requirements and give advice in a clear and simple way.

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What sort of experience would benefit potential applicants applying to study law?

It’s worth looking for work experience with a legal firm. A part-time job or volunteering is also really great, showing that you can hold a position of responsibility.

What should you think about before applying for law at university?

Around 50% of law students decide they want to go on and qualify as a solicitor, and 50% go on to pursue different careers. You don’t have to think that, in studying law, that’s what you have to do. Definitely go to the open days at university, think about going to court and watching a trial to get a sense of the legal process, and find out as much as you can about the different careers available. The universities will also have details of what careers LLB graduates have gone into outwith the legal profession, to give you an idea of different career options. l Law Society of Scotland www.lawscot.org.uk

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STUDYING

CONTENT

Your academic interests and relevant work experience should make up no less than 70% of your statement. The remainder can be made up of your interests, hobbies and extra-curricular activities to put the ‘personal’ in personal statement.

TOP TIP: For academic courses, tutors want to hear about your interests in the learning experience. For a vocational course, the emphasis can be on work experience. Write about common themes across the subjects you’re applying for – remember, one statement fits five choices!

The statement is not just about listing your achievements. Let the tutors know why they would enjoy teaching you through your enthusiasm for the subject.

TOP TIP: Do your homework. Pick up on developments in your chosen field in the press, read journals and look out for summer schools and events that demonstrate your drive to learn more.

Any mention of an extra-curricular activity should demonstrate a skill, whether you had to work in a team, solve a problem or schedule your studies around a part-time job.

TOP TIP: Show how university could add to your own experiences to date to create a well-rounded statement which looks ahead to the future.

WRITING PROCESS

UCAS APPLICATIONS:

MAKE A STATEMENT Writing a personal statement for your UCAS uni application is all about fitting together your interests and achievements to create an overview of you.

Admissions officers reading your statement then work out if you’ll slot in with their course.

Amy Johnston offers some tips for the perfect fit...

TOP TIP: To help with structure, write under headings which you can take out when you’re finished to avoid the piece reading like a block of text. The last sentence should conclude the statement – reiterate what going to university would mean for you and how you hope the experience will help your long-term goals.

STYLE AND TONE

Write in a way that you would normally communicate. By avoiding flowery language, your true personality will shine through and help you put your points across more clearly.

TOP TIP: It is better to be ‘inspired’ by a subject than to be ‘enthralled’ by it.

You would not typically ‘delve’ into a subject, so why not try describing how you would like to ‘explore’ it further?

Avoid over-used clichés like the plague – ‘from a young age’ and ‘ever since I can remember’ are out.

Accurate spelling and grammar is essential. Spellcheck can’t always be trusted, especially if it is set to the American version!

TOP TIP: Print your statement out, read it over then hand it around to some fresh pairs of eyes. Your parents, friends, teachers and employers may point out some of your achievements and skills that you didn’t even realise you had. l Remember – your personal statement IS important, so put in the effort.

Follow these tips, and you’ll have a place in no time.

Good luck!

A personal statement also reflects your future essaywriting ability. This doesn’t necessarily mean following a specific structure or formula, but instead puts an emphasis on planning and re-drafting.

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MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

Across Scotland, hundreds of young people are giving up their spare time to help other people – so how do you get involved with volunteering and what can you get out of it?

hen you think ‘volunteer work’, your mind instantly conjures up visions of constructing playgrounds for kids in Africa or feeding baby rhinos on a nature reserve. And while overseas work like this is fantastic, those with an urge to make a difference don’t have to hotfoot it to another continent to give back and make a difference in the lives of others – there are loads of ways in which you can dedicate your time to worthwhile projects right here in Scotland, helping your local community and boosting your CV at the same time.

Lots of charities rely on the support of volunteers to help them achieve their goals. A survey carried out by Volunteer Scotland in 2011 found that 61% of local charities aspired to involve more volunteers, meaning your time and your skills are in demand. These organisations work with lots of different people – local

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children who want to make friends and have fun, elderly people who need a bit of company, children with disabilities, women affected by domestic violence, families who can’t afford to eat, kids whose parents are in prison and much more.

UPSKILL YOUR CV Whether you’re helping to stock the shelves at a local food bank, walking dogs for an animal shelter, teaching little kids how to play tennis, arranging a fundraiser for an international aid charity, selling vintage clothes in a charity shop, manning a charity helpine, helping out in a local Scouts group or you sign up to a befriending scheme working with teens with autism spectrum disorders, you can put your current skills to great use and learn new ones too.

Volunteering can also feed into a future career path – charity shops are great

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starting points for future retail managers, aspiring radio hosts can learn loads at a hospital radio station and wannabe doctors can get a lot from volunteering with local health projects. It might even help you to figure out what you want to do career-wise, or you could bag a full-time paid role with the organisation like Paul on the right!

You’re never too young to get involved either – many projects will take volunteers from the age of 16 onwards. Ask around to see what’s out there. There are lots of websites and projects out there which can help you find a placement too. Volunteer Scotland, Project Scotland and vInspired are all brilliant ways of finding placements.

You can also approach local projects and charities directly to see what you can do to help.

BAGS OF BENEFITS No matter what kind of role you get into, volunteering has tonnes of benefits – it’ll improve your confidence, teach you important new skills like teamwork, communication and problem solving, you get to meet new people, play a bigger part in your community and more. It also looks awesome on your CV – college and uni admissions teams and employers look really favourably on candidates who’ve given up some of their time to help other people.

You can get awards and certificates for volunteering your time too – the Saltire Award, John Muir Award, Youth Achievement Award and Duke of Edinburgh all recognise volunteer work.

Give them a Google to find out how you can get recognition for doing good in your community.

While you might prefer to be out with your mates in the little free time that you do have between essay deadlines and homework, the benefits of volunteering far outweigh the penalties your social life will pay. There’s also the warm fuzzy feeling you get from knowing you’re doing something that matters – and who knows? It could have a massive impact on your future career too. So what are you waiting for? Put yourself out there and get involved now! l Volunteer Scotland www.volunteerscotland.net

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ON THE JOB: Paul, at the top of the table, working with the current Blackwood volunteers

FROM VOLUNTEER TO EMPLOYEE When Paul Richoux bagged a Project Scotland placement with the Blackwood Foundation, a housing and care provider for elderly and disabled people, he had no idea that he’d end up working for the charity full-time. We asked the Edinburgh University languages graduate about his volunteering experience...

How did you start volunteering in the first place?

I had just graduated and I knew that finding a job was going to be a difficult process, and I didn’t want to be sitting around idle in that time. I came across Project Scotland through a Google search.

Project Scotland is a Scotlandwide initiative to get people aged between 18 and 30 into a volunteering placement. It sounded good, so I got in touch with them.

What did your placement with the Blackwood Foundation involve?

I was a journalist and content creator – I was helping to create content for our website, www.bespoken.me, which is a social media platform to help people with disabilities find information and share advice.

How did you turn it into a paid job?

You can turn up and do the bare minimum as it’s written on your contract, or you can make the

vInspired www.vinspired.com

most of it. I was there to get the best experience and I enjoyed it, so it really came naturally that I got quite involved. The people I was working with recognised that and appreciated it, and I ended up spending seven months with them.

When the social media coordinator job came up, they contacted me to see if I was available.

Would you recommend volunteering to other young people?

Absolutely. Even if it doesn’t immediately lead onto something, volunteering is always going to be good experience. It can help you figure out what you want to do.

Through volunteering, I got this whole other option and it’s worked out really well. l For more information on the Blackwood Foundation, head to www.blackwoodgroup.org. uk, and to find out more about Project Scotland, check out www.projectscotland.co.uk

Do-it www.do-it.org.uk

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STUDYING

THE NEXT CHAPTER Goodbye lazy days and long lies – summer’s been and gone and the new term is here. If you can’t handle the thought of returning to class, don’t worry – Source’s Laura Brown has compiled a handy guide which means you don’t have to start thinking until the bell rings… winner! Here, you’ll find our top tips for staying happy, organised and stress-free as the weeks of learning kick off. Good luck!

A FRESH START

Are you one of those people who thinks new year’s resolutions are overrated? Us too! Here at Source, we much prefer the idea of a postsummer fresh start. After weeks of doing nothing (our usual summer schedule) the thought of new subjects and fresh faces doesn’t seem all that bad. Whether you’re heading back to school, college or university, the new term is a good excuse to adopt a new perspective.

From fashion to friends and academic subjects, it’s time to be optimistic and make positive changes that will make you feel better. It’s a great excuse to do things for yourself: pick classes that suit you rather than your mates; ditch the junk food for a healthier lifestyle, or spend more time with family you haven’t seen in forever.

We’re not saying that we aren’t looking forward to the holidays again – but why not make the most of now?

GET ORGANISED

There’s nothing more depressing than the thought of next year’s exams, especially when you’ve only just finished the last lot. But trust us – getting prepped for what’s coming helps in the long term. If you’re off to uni or college, grab your reading list and hit the library. Not only will you have a head start in your tutorials,

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but you’ll save money too. Books can be pretty expensive so if you can’t get them on loan, check out your campus’s second hand bookstore, local charity shop or online stores like Amazon. Quite often, students will hand in last year’s texts so others can snap them up cheap.

Make things easier this term by organising your stationery. We especially like coloured pens (to make even the dullest maths notes look slightly less boring) and ringbinders. Buy a folder for each of your subjects and all you’ll have to carry every day is a lined A4 notebook.

At the end of the day, take ten minutes to pull pages out and arrange your memos.

Plus, your parents will think you’re a managerial genius, and will probably increase your allowance (fingers crossed, anyway).

Here’s another way to make your exams seem more straightforward – try and do an hour or so of revision each week. It sounds a lot, but do you remember how heart-stopping last year’s exam cramming was? Save yourself the stress and you’ll be amazed at how much you know in your midterm assessments and end of year papers.

CHILL OUT

OK, so we all know it’s pretty impossible to stay completely calm. From exams to nosy parents to friend drama, there’s always something that gets your heart rate up. But you can make small changes

JUST... ASK SOURCE! A bit confused about the future?

Not sure whether college or uni is for you? Want to know more about internships and employers? Ask Source submits your questions to our experienced writers and seasoned students, who can offer you advice on further education and put you in touch with industry experts. Send in your questions via our website (sourcemagazine.org.uk) or get in contact on Facebook (facebook. com/SourceMagazine) or Twitter (@SourceMag). Use the hashtag #asksource and check the site regularly to see what questions we’ve been answering for you.

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STUDYING

THERE’S NOTHING MORE DEPRESSING THAN THE THOUGHT OF NEXT YEAR’S EXAMS, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU’VE ONLY JUST FINISHED THE LAST LOT. BUT TRUST US – GETTING PREPPED FOR WHAT’S COMING HELPS IN THE LONG TERM

that may help lower your blood pressure.

Start your day off right with a healthy breakfast. Bin the chocolate bars and grab porridge, wholegrain cereal or eggs – these foods will help kick start your brain for the day ahead. You could also try a new sport. It doesn’t need to be marathon running or weight-lifting – we’re fans of tennis and yoga – just something that will get more oxygen to your brain and fight off that sluggish feeling.

At the end of a school, college or uni day, make sure you take time to chill out before bed, but don’t spend hours on Facebook. Studies show that a high exposure to computer or TV screens actually hinders the body’s ability to fall asleep. Grab a book, do some light stretching or call your friends before a glorious eight-hour snooze.

PLAN FOR THE FUTURE

Remember that studying doesn’t last forever (thank goodness). Sooner than you realise, you’ll be thrown into the frightening yet fantastic world of work. Thanks to the unstable job market, there’s much more demand for jam-packed CVs so it’s a good idea to begin looking for work experience or a weekend job. Hand in your CV at local cafés and shops, or try websites like gothinkbig.co.uk, which has tonnes of career advice and internship offers.

And if you’re not sure what path you want to go down, have a chat with a careers advisor (most schools, colleges and universities have one). They might be able to set you in the right direction or give you more ideas! Remember that the Source website has lots of jobrelated info and articles too – check it out at sourcemagazine.org.uk.

OFF TO COLLEGE OR UNI?

PREPARING FOR TAKE OFF: Shannon's new positive attitude, accessorised with balloons, raised a few eyebrows in class

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Make sure you get involved in the vast array of activities during freshers’ week. Regardless of whether you live at home or in halls, freshers’ is a fantastic opportunity to meet fellow students, explore the campus and join social clubs. There are hundreds of different societies for sports fanatics, music obsessives and film lovers, plus a few wonderfully strange ones thrown in too – ice cream society, anyone? l

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STUDYING

We spend up to 23 d ays a year on our phone s , so why not m ake the m o st of that tim e and turn your phon e into you r study bud dy? Taking notes dow n on pape r will never be the same aga in with the se time-savin g apps tha t'll keep your mobile de vice on your sid e during exam seas on...

APP-Y STUDYING! PRODUCTIVITY: Evernote and Simplenote Both free on iTunes Make notes, create endless to-do lists and file everything away in the ultimate neat and tidy virtual notebook Evernote.

You can even record voice reminders if you have a ‘eureka’ moment during your studies. For a more stripped back version when you have to get all your brilliant ideas down at the speed of light, keep notes, ideas and lists on the no-frills Simplenote app.

RESEARCH: CamScanner Free on iTunes, available on Google Play Avoid racking up library fees every time you take home a stack of books in the hope of research with this photo app. Use the camera on your phone to scan and digitise paper documents, which you can then upload to your computer as PDF files. Never carry a heavy book around campus again with your chosen chapter saved on your phone. (Don’t forget copyright restrictions!)

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STUDY: Revision App Free from iTunes

VISUAL LEARNING: iMindMap Free from iTunes

Based on the concept of friends sharing revision notes, the people behind Revision App get teachers to produce content that applies to an array of school and college courses. There’s over one million exam notes and flashcards available across a range of subjects and levels.

Get yourself on track towards a streamlined style of cramming.

This app is perfect for creating visual mind maps of notes and brain-storming tasks. Designed to transform lists and slideshows into diagrams, use the templates to make notes that will stick out when you’re desperately trying to recall facts in an exam. The design also helps dyslexic students who benefit from visual learning. Break away from tired lists and make revision more memorable.

SCHEDULE: SQA My Study Plan Free from iTunes

MOTIVATION: My Personal Motivator 62p from Google Play

If you struggle with organising your study time, you can import your SQA exam timetable into this app to generate a study plan based on when your exams land. Personalise the plan further by modifying the importance of the exam and when you want to study to create a schedule to take you through the days and nights.

For those days when you feel a bit overwhelmed or need a boost to keep powering through with the highlighters, turn to this app. Select how you feel from a range of over 100 emotion categories and a motivating quote will be generated from more than 1,000 famous world figures. Put your worries into perspective and know that you can keep on going. n

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TIME OUT

USA: THE LAND OF OPPORTUNITY America – land of the free, of incredible landscapes, amazing cities and scarily large portion sizes. Yep, we love our neighbours across the pond – and there are loads of opportunities for young people to work, study and travel in the good old US of A. Here’s some inspiration...

class universities, and they all accept f you want to take a gap year, but students from overseas. If you want to you’re not so keen on the idea of do a full four-year degree, the Sutton going to a developing country Trust programme is a great starting with all your possessions strapped to point – you’ll get support in applying your back as you struggle with the native for colleges, help in sitting entry exams language, what about the USA? It has and even a week-long trip to the US to plenty to offer young people hoping make connections. to see more of the Check out Tommy’s world, expand their experience on the education and have right to see how some incredible it works. experiences.

The Fulbright Whether you You need a special visa Commission is want to study at a or visa waiver document another brilliant US university, bag to enter the US, whether you’re working, studying programme for yourself a summer or travelling. Check out those hoping job or internship what you need at london. to expand their or simply travel the usembassy.gov educational length and breadth experiences. The of the States, US-UK Fulbright there’s a tonne of Commission offers a selection of programmes out there to help you along educational exchange programmes the way. So where do you start? for undergraduates and postgraduates across the States. Find out more at LEARN SOMETHING www.fulbright.org.uk. Check out the The US is home to a host of world-

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Mountbatten Institute’s New York work and learning programme for graduates too at www.mountbatten.org.

If you’re currently at college or uni, find out if your department has an exchange programme. Many have got connections with American colleges, meaning you can spend either a semester or full academic year studying your chosen subject the American way.

This is a brilliant way of expanding your learning.

SUMMER JOBS Of course, studying isn’t the only option you’ve got in the US, and there are plenty of ways to enjoy the best the country has to offer on a short-term basis. There are lots of programmes out there which will not only help you apply for a short-term work visa, but give you support finding a job too.

Summer camps are a great summer job option. Often nestled in middleof-nowhere destinations with beautiful

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TIME OUT

COLLEGE LIFE Tommy Inglis, 18, from Methil, Fife, is about to embark on a huge adventure – he’s off to study at Northwestern University in the state of Illinois through the Sutton Trust programme...

What does the Sutton Trust programme involve?

It’s for young people interested in studying in the USA. You go down to London and learn how to apply to US universities – they’ll take you through your tests, tell you how to write your essays. There’s the summer school too.

Last August, we spent a week in the USA, based at Yale University. Part of it was visiting universities, talking to people, making connections and getting your foot in the door basically. The other part was doing the fun tourist stuff!

What convinced you to apply for university in the States?

Over here, I struggled with UCAS because I don’t know what I want to do, so I couldn’t just pick a subject. Whereas in America, it’s more broad – I’ve signed up for a broad liberal arts education. I start at Northwestern after the summer.

TAKE YOUR PICK: (from top) You could travel the States and visit must-see attractions like the Grand Canyon, study at a real US college or work with kids at a summer camp

weather, you learn a host of workrelated skills and earn some cash too! Agencies like Camp America (www.campamerica.co.uk), CCUSA (www.ccusa.co.uk) and BUNAC (www.bunac.org.uk) can all help you find a summer camp job in the US, as well as organising your visa and flights. If you’ve got lots of energy, love working with kids and enjoy a challenge, life at camp is for you!

If you’re not so keen on children, there are lots of summer job and internship programmes to choose from too. CCUSA’s work experience programme is brilliant for those wanting to get some hands-on paid work for the summer – you can either organise a placement yourself or CCUSA can find one for you. Have a Google for American summer work programmes – you’ll be spoilt for choice.

EXPLORE IT! If you’re really not feeling the idea of

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working State-side, there are tonnes of travel options too. Trek America is a brilliant company which organises US tours for young travellers. You could opt for a 14-day tour of California, Nevada and Arizona, taking in the breath-taking Grand Canyon, or what about an epic 80-day adventure to 48 of the US’s 50 states?

Find out more at www.trekamerica. co.uk.

STA Travel also offer some fantastic US tours, including a Chicago to San Francisco road trip, a tour taking in the East Coast and six-day Alaskan adventure. Find out how to book your break at www.statravel.co.uk.

This is just scraping the surface of what the US has to offer. It’s an incredible country, with truly beautiful sights to be seen, mind-boggling experiences to be had an so many people and places to learn from – so don’t miss out. Check out some of the organisations we’ve recommended to get involved now. l

How does the funding work?

It’s pretty much all funded by the university. We do have to contribute some bits, but it’s a lot less than it should be. I get to come home at Christmas too – my financial aid covers flights home.

Why would you recommend the programme to other people?

It’s such a fantastic programme – I’d never heard of anything like it. If you want to study in another country, it’s a great way of doing it. They really guide you through the whole process.

The Sutton Trust, in partnership with the US-UK Fulbright Commission, runs a US programme to give bright, state school students the chance to experience American college life followed by support to apply for university State-side.

For details on the 2015 programme, head to www.fulbright.org.uk/ study-in-the-usa

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How to...

ACE THAT

4

INTERVIEW At one point or another, we’ll all have to do an interview. Whether you’re applying for a weekend job, graduate scheme, college or university, an interview is something you’ll have to master in order to earn your place. Filling out the application form is easy – but are you ready for the real test? Mikhaila Friel shares some top tips on how to ace that interview…

1

Do Your Research

Knowledge is power – the more you know about the company, the more prepared you’ll be. You can’t walk into an interview and know nothing about the position you’ve applied for. What if the interviewer asks you what you know about the organisation?

That’s a sticky situation we’d all rather avoid. Ask around – maybe your friends can enlighten you. If not, there’s no harm in a quick Google search. If you’ve applied to a global brand, there’s a good chance somebody has written online about their own experiences there. Try student-based websites like www.thestudentroom.co.uk too.

2

Confidence is Key

If you don’t believe in yourself, how do you expect anyone else to? Even if you don’t feel confident, play the part. Throw your shoulders back and plaster on that smile. The interviewer will be wowed by your enthusiasm.

If your application doesn’t stand out, then you’re dedication to the job will.

5

Don’t Panic!

No interview is perfect – fact. You might not know the answer to a particular question, but instead of saying “I don’t know”, or worse – saying nothing at all – steer the conversation towards what you do know.

Make the most of your assets. Of course the interviewer won’t be oblivious to your mistakes, but at least they’ll know you tried to fix them. l

INTERVIEW SUCCESS: Shirley knew that dressing like her mum would pay off one day

Practice Makes Perfect

The best way to prepare for an interview is to practise, preferably with someone who will tell you the truth. You need honest and thoughtful feedback in order to get better. Think of yourself as an actor, playing your part until it’s perfect.

Go over every question you could be asked, but don’t remember your answers word for word – you don’t want to seem too rehearsed!

The interviewer will be able to tell the difference between a genuine candidate and a fake one.

3

Individuality

Now it’s time for the tricky bit – the actual interview! Show the interviewer why you – and you alone – should get this position. What makes you different from other candidates? Perhaps you have a hidden talent, an extra qualification, or you're more smartly dressed. Whatever it is, use it to your advantage.

Interviewers are looking for someone who stands out; don’t be just another face in the crowd.

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INTERVIEW

Introducing...

You’ve got a journalism degree, you went to law school, you’ve done various different performing arts courses – how do you fit it all in? [laughs] People ask me that all the time! I do sometimes wonder if I might be further ahead as an actor and producer had I not gone to law school, but I’ve got so many things that interest me. Being busy and doing all these different things – I find it really fulfilling.

Louise Linton THE ACTRESS AND PRODUCER FLYING THE FLAG FOR SCOTLAND IN HOLLYWOOD

She’s appeared alongside Tom Cruise and Meryl Streep, starred in CSI: NY, earned herself a journalism degree and graduate law degree and set up her own production company. Now Edinburgh-born Louise Linton’s ready for the big time. Living in sunny LA with major parts in three movies due out very soon – rom-com Serial Daters Anonymous, thriller Intruder and an as-yetuntitled project with director Warren Beatty – Louise found the time to tell Source all about the ups and downs of making it in Hollywood...

What made you want to act?

As a child, I really enjoyed making people laugh. I really enjoyed makebelieve, as all children do. I think most people grow out of that, but I didn’t!

What’s the best thing about acting for a living?

Life is very exciting. The inconsistency

of being an actor is a double-edged sword though. It's scary because you don’t know when your next job is going to be, but it’s also exciting because your next job is going to take you to a new part of the world with new friends. You can always look back and remember those experiences.

You started to pursue acting while you were at law school – was that challenging?

Absolutely! My first lead role in a movie was a sci-fi called Scavengers.

On the first day of filming, we had to try and finish all my scenes because I had an exam. I was standing against this giant green screen on the end of a space ship with an astronaut’s outfit on. I’m trying to do my lines on camera and at the same time I’m trying to check my watch under my costume. [laughs] I ended up running out in my costume, hopped into my car and drove all the way across Los Angeles. I got there, two minutes into the exam, still in costume, and sat down. It caused a bit of a distraction for the people who were already sitting there!

How have you found trying to make it as an actor in the US as a Scot?

I had to get over the hurdle of moving countries, jump over the hurdle of immigration issues. On the other hand, I suppose being Scottish gave me something different and a way to be remembered.

What’s your advice for wannabe actors?

Go to acting classes, perform in local theatre, do plays – agents will always appreciate an actor who has done theatre. Start doing student films, start to build a demo reel of your work and get some headshots. Don’t just pursue acting for the glamour; do it because you love it. l

CHECK IT OUT

Keep up to date with the latest from Louise at www.louiselinton.com

www.sourcemagazine.org.uk

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TIME OUT

How private is private?

No matter how secure you make your Facebook, Twitter or Instagram, there’s still a chance a prospective employer will see something you’ve posted.

Nowadays, with screenshots and retweets, something you thought you posted privately could easily make its way out. As a rule, never post anything you wouldn't want a boss, teacher or your mum to see and assume that your “social media persona” is not separate from your “professional persona.” It’s a good idea to make all your pages private anyway, for security more than anything else.

Once it’s out there...

A really important thing to remember about online content is how permanent a post really is. Photos from your messy girls’ holiday two years ago are still online whether you’re tagged in them or not. Once content's out there, it's there forever, so you have to watch what your friends post as well as yourself. This also applies to old social media accounts. Would you want an employer seeing who you’d sent ‘love’ to on Bebo six years ago? Closing down pages you don’t use can be a good way to avoid embarrassment.

Social media mistakes Attention social media addicts! If your security settings and internal filter (different from Mayfair on Instagram) aren’t up to speed, the tweets, selfies and status updates you post could damage your career. Laura Donaldson offers some advice on future-proofing your web presence... oday, it’s almost guaranteed that employers, recruiters and universities will check out your social media pages. According to one study last year, more and more

T

employers are finding reasons not to hire candidates because of their social media presence, with the top two negative behaviours mentioned being inappropriate photos and posts about

Don’t drink and tweet

One of the most common mistakes is posting online after a night out. It can be tempting to go public with a hilarious photo of a pal, in-joke or cruel message, but if your thought process isn't at its clearest – because you’re tired or had one too many drinks – posting should be avoided. You may not think it’s as funny when you wake up with a clear head, so stop and think about what you’re doing before hitting ‘send’.

Think U Know? www.thinkuknow.co.uk

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ON THE

WEB

drinking or using drugs. Although it’s easy to make potentially careerdamaging mistakes like this, there are some simple steps you can follow to make your online presence safe.

Search results

If there’s something that’s coming up when you Google your name that you really don’t want someone finding, there is a way to get rid of it. On Google’s Account Support you can manage your online reputation by removing unwanted content and the associated search results and get notified when your personal data appears on the web so that you can control it. Check it out at support.google.com.

While today’s fast-paced online lifestyle can sometimes be a pain in the neck to control, at least there are simple ways around it to ensure your social media life isn’t harming your future.

Get your web world under control now. l

SourceMagazine

@SourceMag

HEALTH

ANXIETY: DON’T SUFFER IN SILENCE

5

SIGNS OF ANXIETY

1 INSOMNIA

2 WITHDRAWING FROM

PEOPLE, INCLUDING FRIENDS AND FAMILY

3 FEELINGS AND

EXPRESSIONS OF HOPELESSNESS

An NUS survey from 2013 showed that 43% of students have experienced feelings of anxiety, loneliness and not being able to cope – and with the pressures of student life, whether you’re at school and facing your Nat 5s or tackling your dissertation at uni, these feelings can be exacerbated. If you find yourself struggling with your thoughts or feelings, you don’t have to deal with it alone. Student writer Rachel Munford looks at recognising signs of anxiety, and how you can get help.

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If you feel you’re struggling with your mental health, always contact your GP first, call NHS 24 or get in touch with these organisations...

SourceMagazine

@SourceMag

HEALTH

or some, returning to class after a nice summer may seem like a drag, but for others it’s a dreadful reminder of the impending stress caused by exams, homework, impossible UCAS statements, talks about careers and many more unpleasant school-related chores.

We all panic about our workload, though – right? It’s part and parcel of exams, course work and generally growing up. But what if those feelings of stress, panic and worry get too much?

F

While it’s normal to freak out every now and then, feeling anxious or scared all the time isn’t, particularly when it impacts on your everyday life – but you can get help. Anxiety can be a serious mental health condition, often linked to stress.

As a student, it’s easy to feel a little out of control, but problems can arise if you don’t address these feelings. If untreated, anxiety can lead to panic attacks, where the body shivers, shakes or it may even feel like you’re choking. Panic attacks can be distressing especially when you get them during exam periods but they are the body’s way of letting you know that you need to take a break. Feelings of anxiety can also lead to depression, isolation and feelings of worthlessness.

4 INTENSE SADNESS, DESPAIR

OR EMOTIONAL NUMBNESS

STEP BACK To keep feelings of anxiety at bay, you need to remember to take time out, not just during exam time but any time you feel overwhelmed. One of the most common sources of stress for young people is the pressure to figure your life out and do

Scottish Association for Mental Health www.samh.org.uk

www.sourcemagazine.org.uk

IF YOU'RE WORRIED ABOUT A FAMILY MEMBER OR FREIND...

• Be patient and listen. Use openended questions to encourage them to open up.

• Dig deeper. Don’t just take a weary ‘I’m fine’ – push a little.

• Encourage them to speak to a GP.

well at school. With teachers and parents berating you for not choosing your lifetime career in your mid-teens, it can feel like the whole world around you is closing in.

Something simple like going for a walk can help – taking a step back gives you a sense of perspective, making it easier to deal with any tough decisions you might have to make. A recent survey by the National Union of Students (NUS) and Healthier Scotland showed that three quarters of college and university students found considering career prospects scary, so you’re not alone.

It’s important to listen to your body too. If you don’t tune in, then you won’t understand why you’re feeling a certain way. All you need to do is take a few seconds just to check in with yourself and

5 LACK OF ENERGY WHICH

MAKES EVERYDAY TASKS SEEM IMPOSSIBLE OR DIFFICULT

assess how you’re feeling.

“Our ’Five ways to Better Mental Health’ has tips for looking after yourself,” says a spokesperson from the Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH).

“Those are: stay connected, get active, take notice, learn and give.”

Breathing Space Scotland 0800 83 85 87

TALK ABOUT IT SAMH also recommend talking to someone: “Talking about how you feel is a huge step. By talking, people can form coping mechanisms and effectively approach problems.”

It’s better to let all the musings out of your head, whether it’s to a close friend, family member, teacher, counsellor or even a helpline like Breathing Space Scotland. Talking allows you to articulate feelings that might otherwise be

overlooked – the kind that might get you down.

It can be scary to speak up, but it does a world of good. Sometimes the stigma of mental health can make speaking up off-putting, but there are many organisations out there to contact who won’t judge you, and who are campaigning to put mental health on the agenda.

TIME OUT Anxiety can also manifest when you don’t take enough time to do things you enjoy.

If you’re constantly focusing on studying then you won’t be giving your mind any time off. To stay happy and healthy, make sure you give yourself some ‘me time’ to focus on the things that make you smile. Trying a new hobby or re-reading a favourite book can provide excellent time off from the strains of school, college or uni. With pressure to do well in exams, to choose a university, college or apprenticeship and meet all of your deadlines, it’s easy to feel bogged down.

However, what you have to remember is to put things into perspective and embrace the concept that no matter what happens, you’ll be okay.

Trying to meet everyone else’s expectations can be a drain on your emotional resources, and prevent you from doing your best. What’s most important during your studies is to stay positive, calm and not let your worries drag you down. And if it does get too much? Reach out before it’s too late. The people around you do care and they will help – you just have to remember to ask for it. l

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TIME OUT

SHARING...

SHARED KITCHENS

Sharing can be difficult but these are the two golden rules for keeping everyone happy…

CLEAN UP AFTER YOURSELF Doing your dishes straight after you eat can reduce stress and keep your kitchen tidy. No one wants to cook around dishes left for a week. Also make sure to throw away food that is out of date. Mould is not edible!

NO STEALING

There’s nothing worse than discovering someone else has eaten your food, so don’t do it to others. Ask if you need to borrow something and if you aren’t sure who something belongs to, then ask.

MASTER CHEF! Leaving home for the first time means cooking for yourself and doing the shopping on your own – where’s your mum when you need her...? Seasoned student and kitchen wizard Eilidh Stewart has gathered some tips to help you eat well on a student budget…

Shop for deals

Every supermarket has special offers, so look out for them. Getting three for £10 on meat is good, since it’s normally expensive. Warning – avoid buying for the sake of it. It’s only a bargain if you need it!

Plan ahead

TOP TIPS...

• Never shop while you’re hungry!

• If you don’t eat a lot of bread, then buy a half loaf or keep it in the freezer. It saves money and stops it going off.

• Bulk out meals by adding frozen vegetables or potatoes.

• Frozen fruit and vegetables are fantastic – they’re cheap and last longer than fresh ones.

• Need to save some money?

Have a vegetarian night once a week.

ESSENTIALS...

Pasta Rice Noodles Soup Beans Cereal Milk Soy sauce Baking potatoes

Frozen fruit and vegetables Bananas Kidney beans Butter Passata Salt Pepper Eggs Bread

BBC Good Food www.bbcgoodfood.com

www.sourcemagazine.org.uk

Plan your meals for a week, so when you shop, you only buy what you need.

Also, your freezer is your best friend.

Anything you aren’t cooking straight away, freeze it so it’ll last!

Look out for the cheaper option

Don’t be a label snob and find the supermarket’s own-brand equivalent. It tastes the same and your wallet will thank you for it!

Shop online

You’ll only buy what you need and you’re less likely to forget things, since your cupboards are right there. Online shopping is convenient as it can be delivered around when you’re in lectures, so you don’t have to be worried about being too tired to shop.

Loyalty schemes

Loyalty schemes such as Tesco’s Clubcard can be a good way to get rewards for what you’re spending. You can get vouchers for fuel, meals out or trips away. l

CHECK IT OUT

The Student Cookbook, published by Hamlyn (£7.99 RRP)

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INTERVIEW

RIXTON:

“WE WANT TO BE DOING THIS WHEN WE’RE OLD!” TRANSATLANTIC SUCCESS: (l-r) Charley, Lewi, Jake and Danny

With the man behind Justin Bieber and Ariana Grande on their side, it’s no surprise that Manchester foursome Rixton are making waves on both sides of the Atlantic. With a number one single, a Teen Choice Awards performance and selling out venues across the US, it’s all a bit much for Jake Roche, Lewi Morgan, Danny Wilkin and Charley Bagnall to take in – but they’re loving every minute of it. Lead guitarist Charley took some time out from their US tour to speak with Source...

How’s the tour going so far?

The tour’s going incredibly. It’s our first ever headline tour – when we first started in Boston, it kind of got a bit emotional because we realised that they were there for us.

What’s life like on the road?

Busy, but there’s a lot of hanging about. It’s hard to get used to – especially the lack of space. We’re living on a bus, so we all have to try and be really tidy and we’re living out of our suitcases – but it’s great. The shows and meeting people and everything else – it’s the sort of thing that makes you feel incredible. Being on a bus for a few hours isn’t too bad.

You guys played at the Teen Choice Awards – what was that like?

It was so surreal. We’re a four-piece band from Manchester; it just feels like it’s skyrocketed over the last few months.

We get there, we’re on the red carpet doing photos and stuff and there’s Kim Kardashian standing next to us.

Then Taylor Swift walks past, says hello – we’re a bit like, ‘What’s happening?’

Last month, your first single, Me and My Broken Heart, went straight to number one – how did that feel?

It was so crazy. We were in America, promoting our single, and we came back to the UK for two months. To come back and have our single go straight to number one – it was kind of like a dream.

What’s been the highlight of your time in the band?

When we played The Voice in the US – that was a big highlight for us, that was our first ever TV performance.

We love Maroon 5 and we love Usher, so meeting Adam Levine and Usher on the day and hearing how good they think we are – that was pretty mind-blowing. Getting the UK number one though is probably the biggest thing for us – that’s got to be the highlight.

You’re touring the UK this autumn – how would you describe a Rixton live show?

A ‘show’ is definitely what we like to call it – we don’t just want to do a gig, play songs and plough through. We’ve really taken our time and we’ve got a show now. It’s really up-tempo, there's real energy.

Where do you see yourself in five years time?

Doing exactly what we’re doing now.

We really don’t want to be doing this just for five years – we want to be doing this when we’re old, like the Stones! We’re going to keep working hard and see how we get on. l

Catch Rixton on the road in October and November – see www.ticketmaster.co.uk for details

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SourceMagazine

CHECK IT OUT @SourceMag

TIME OUT

RADIO 1’S ALLY MCCRAE IS BACK WITH HIS PICK OF THE HOTTEST NEW BANDS RIGHT NOW...

Hiyaaaa, I’m Ally and my life is all about new music, finding it, loving it and then telling the world about it. I present on BBC Radio 1, BBC TV, I DJ live, I put on my own gigs, and even manage a band too, which sounds cool, but mostly involves spreadsheets...

Here’s some new music I love that I think you should check out.

SOUND

BITES

cCrae M y ll A h it w

YOUR NEW FAVOURITE BAND

It’s my job to find bands and artists from all around the UK to put on my BBC Radio 1 show, hoping that important people will hear them (like Zane Lowe or Annie Mac) and promote the music I love.

Here are three acts for you to check out and fall in love with before they are megastars.

TWITTER REVIEWS A short and sweet roundup of the best up-and-coming bands...

JACK GARRATT BOKE – it’s a wet, late summer’s day and music festival season already seems like a distant memory. If you’re gutted about that and the end of the holidays, then find the track Worry by this man, Jack Garratt. He’s got such a warm voice, kinda Ben Howard-ish, but with beats and excitement to get you out of any post-summer funk.

This guy is going to be faaaaaaaaaamous so get on the bandwagon now and look well smart when he is.

Check his new single Worry on Soundcloud now, and say hey on Twitter – @jackgarratt

Ophelia (@opheliamusic) Brilliant rapper/spoken word poet from Kent.

Mad skills on the mic!

Jamie and Shoony (@jamieandshoony) A double-act from Edinburgh that, although young, already have the live show nailed. Crazy fun along the lines of Rizzle Kicks.

ELIZA AND THE BEAR You might already recognise one of these guys' tracks from a TV ad – it’s got the lines, “I’VE GOT FRIENDS, I’VE GOT FAMILY HERE”, and it makes you want to get all your pals together in one room and party forever. They’ve just signed a record deal with Capitol Records and have a debut album on the way. If you love shouting along to songs with your mates and not really caring if you are totally out of tune like me, then this is the band for you. New EP Light It Up is out now!

Go ask for an audition as a backing singer on Twitter – @elizaandthebear

Pale Seas (@paleseas) Brand new four-piece from Southampton bring some real melancholy with their new EP Places to Haunt – something special.

True Arcadian (@true_arcadian) Blistering new three-piece rock band from Glasgow.

Echoes of Biffy Clyro but with such a fierce drive.

Eliza Shaddad (@ElizaShaddad) Brilliant new singer from London, with a gorgeous single Waters you can get on iTunes now. Husky, dark, super talented – expect to hear a lot more of her!

BEAR ARMS Like Twin Atlantic? Fan of things a little heavier and even louder than that? Bear Arms from Glasgow manage to pack a whole lot of power along with catchy choruses into every track. New FREE DOWNLOAD single Courage does just that. Total fun live and a debut album out in October, now would be about the perfect time to fall in love with these dudes.

Find them on Twitter, @beararmsUK

Catch Ally and Jen Long with the best in new UK music live on the radio every Sunday into Monday on BBC Radio 1, 12-2am, with BBC Introducing

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CHECK IT OUT

Check out Ally's new music video channel at www.detour-scotland. com and his blog, www.turnthetapeover. tumblr.com.

SourceMagazine

@SourceMag

INTERVIEW

TEN

Minutes WITH...

Prides

THE GLASGOW-BASED POP ACT SET TO TAKE OVER THE WORLD

They played to an audience of almost 8m people at the Commonwealth Games Closing Ceremony, yet Glasgow trio Prides are (somehow) managing to keep their feet firmly on the ground. We caught up with lead singer Stewart Brock to find out about their first year in the music business.

How did you guys get together?

Me and Lewis [Gardner, drums] have been playing together for almost ten years – we met at university and started playing together in bands. Callum [Wiseman, guitar, piano, vocals], we got introduced to through a mutual friend.

Callum is a multi-instrumentalist, singer, jack-of-all-trades, so we were like, ‘Right, let’s get him involved.’ Prides started when the three of us all started to write together. We got the first track out last April, and it’s all been moving since then.

How would you describe your sound in just three words?

I’ve been asked this before and I came up with a good one, but I’ve forgotten it. [laughs] How about... Honest anthemic pop?

That’s how we like to see it.

What bands inspire you?

We all grew up in pop-punk outfits in

our teens. Stuff like Jimmy Eat World and Blink-182 are shared influences for us.

Now we’re all total pop junkies – we love current music. But there’s also a big 80s influence there as well. Tears for Fears, Roxy Music, Kate Bush, The Cure – there’s loads of stuff.

What’s been the highlight of the last year?

We’ve been so, so lucky that there’s loads of things that come to mind. We went to CMJ, which is a music festival sort of similar to SXSW, but in New York, and that was the first time we played in the

States. We spent the week in New York, that was incredible. Same goes for the first time we played SXSW. We played Brixton Academy with Blink-182 recently, that has to go on the list! The three of us all got into playing in bands because of Blink, so to be on the same bill was absolutely wild.

When are we getting an album from you?

We’re hoping we’ll have it in the next few months; we’re working on the final track listing and all the rest. Fingers crossed, beginning of next year, we’ll be looking at getting a release date and getting it out.

You guys performed at the Closing Ceremony for the Commonwealth Games – what was that like?

It was quite surreal! It was our first arena slot, which came a little sooner than we expected. It was obviously really flattering to be asked. Everyone involved was really supportive and really keen for us to be involved, which was amazing. We really, really loved it.

What would be your dream gig venue?

As a fake Glaswegian – I’ve lived there for about ten years – it’s got to be the Barrowlands. I think it’s the history. It’s a beautiful room. I’ve not been to a bad gig there, I don’t think.

What’s next for Prides?

We’re looking at our headline tour in October, we’ve got the new single I Should Know You Better and then more releases going into the end of the year and the beginning of next. l

TAKING A BREAK: It can't all be high profile stadium gigs for (l-r) Callum, Stewart and Lewis

Prides’ new single I Should Know You Better is out now.

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SourceMagazine

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