WoW Star Autumn 2009

Worldwide acclaim

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Find out how one student found his dream job on the other side of the world!

Get involved with WoW! Get yourself the essential employability skills you need for that all important job

WoW STAR to find out more contact

the Graduate Development Centre or on 0151 231 8099, email gdc@ljmu.ac.uk or go to www.ljmu.ac.uk/wow

full story on page 7

WORLD OF WORK NEWS REVIEW What is WoW? WoW stands for the ‘world of work’ and is an initiative unique to LJMU. The WoW initiative aims to ensure every student is equipped with the skills they need to stand out from the crowd and successfully engage in the world of work.

Get support all the way!

LJMU is taking your employability seriously.

Your degree, work related learning, graduate skills and the WoW certificate will make you a much stronger applicant for graduate jobs – but you must be proactive. No university has stronger links with employers than LJMU and competition in the graduate jobs market is fierce. The Graduate Development Centre Team understand what employers want and how you can stand out from the crowd. Start planning early! Come to the GDC to ask about our programmes and the WoW certificate. We’ll support you all the way.

WoW® in a nutshell...

full story on page 4

produced for the GDC by LJMU Journalism Graduates

AUTUMN 2009

WoW success is a sign of The Times

WoW graduates tell it like it is Unsure whether to start the WoW certificate?

Listen to students who have obtained the WoW certificate and find out what LJMU graduates think of their jobs and what they have to say about preparing for the world of work

see them on pages 4 & 6

Lecturers are backing WoW Your academics are right behind you and WoW. They understand how competitive the world of work is and encourage you to take advantage of the GDC and the WoW certificate to help you stand out from the crowd – hear how positive academics are

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Job hunt help If you want to the beat the competition for jobs and find out about the WoW certificate, find jobs and placements, find out about sessions and presentations with visiting employers, get information on careers in general, how to talk to a careers adviser, how to develop a stronger CV and apply for jobs, or graduate skills, then we have the site for you!

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WoW IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Michael Stringfellow happily reading The Times at the Graduate Development Centre

BY Jack Davies NAUTICAL SCIENCES student Michael Stringfellow has found himself becoming the

face of WoW as LJMU enjoys its time in the spotlight. WoW has been hitting the national headlines in recent months as the country sits up and takes notice of this innovative approach to employment training.

You Cannes do it!

BY Laura Day HAVING your film premiered at Cannes sounds like the stuff of long-established industry types.

But Hannah Quinn and Adam Wright were the exception to the rule when their project was showcased at Cannes’ Short Film Corner - just two years after graduating.

Hannah, who graduated in 2007, and Adam in 2006, both went on to set up their own production companies after finishing university, and have been involved with producing short and feature-length films.

The pair’s companies, Gosh Productions and Tomfoolery Pictures, collaborated to present ‘Sertoli, Sertoli, Sertoli’ (right). The 17-minute

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The Times Good University Guide described LJMU as being at ‘the vanguard’ of teaching professional skills to its students. “I keep getting e-mails off people saying how smug I

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The WoW Star is published by the Graduate Development Centre, Kingsway House, Hatton Garden, Liverpool, L3 2AJ. Tel: 0151 231 8099 http://www.ljmu.ac.uk/wow For latest WoW updates see: http://twitter.com/ljmugdc To view WoW videos see: http://www.youtube.com/ljmugdc Download the WoW Star as a pdf document at: http://www.ljmu.ac.uk/wow Please send any comments and your ideas for the next WoW Star to GDC@ljmu.ac.uk Alternative formats of the The WoW Star are available from the GDC, please contact us.

WoW® is a registered trademark The WoW Star is written and designed by Journalism graduates from Liverpool John Moores University Design and Subeditor Michael McGuinness Michael, from Cheshire, is a 2008 Journalism graduate, and was the inaugural winner of the Margaret Fairclough Prize for subediting skills. mike_mcguinness@hotmail.co.uk News Editor Jack Davies Jack, from Swansea, graduated with a 2:1 in Journalism this year. He has completed the WoW certificate and was given special recognition at the graduation ceremony.

Jack volunteered as Media and Marketing Coordinator for the Oxjam music festival in Swansea in aid of Oxfam.

Writers Helen Coates Helen, from Plymouth, completed her journalism degree this year and is now working for a television production company in London.

Laura Day Laura graduated with a first class honours in Journalism in 2009, and was awarded the Neil Warburton prize for obtaining the highest marks on the course. Since finishing university, Laura has moved to Adelaide, Australia, to pursue work within the media.

Editorial Directors - LJMU Journalism Lecturers Steve Harrison Kate Heathman journalismproduction@ljmu.ac.uk www.jmu-journalism.org.uk Content copyright Liverpool John Moores University 2009. All rights reserved.

AUTUMN 2009

www.ljmu.ac.uk/wow

Sign of The Times His feet have barely touched the ground since the end of his course as he walked straight into look. It doesn’t hurt my ego at all!” he joked. a lecturing position at Fleetwood College in Jobs in the nautical industry are hard to come Lancashire. by, sparking Michael’s interest in enhancing his “When I got my results I phoned my parents CV and getting involved in the programme. and arranged to go for a meal the next day. As “The normal target for a graduate from my it turned out, by the time the meal came around course would be to go to sea but I wanted to I’d got a job!” he said. work ashore. I needed everything I could to Stringfellow puts his success in the job market make myself stand out because, as far as I was largely down to the WoW programme, claiming concerned, most of my competition would be that much of his interview was based on the guys who’ve been at sea for 20 years,” he said. initiative.

Michael completed his certificate shortly after Michael is full of praise for WoW and how it gaining a first in his degree and claims that the managed to boost his employability. “They took whole process helped him in his quest for a job. the CV that I had and they turned it into a skills

CV which makes sure that anyone who looks at it knows you’ve worked hard on it,” he said.

“Everything they showed me to do has got me a job.”

The Nautical Sciences student claims that, despite people initially pulling a face at having to do extra work towards the WoW certificate, it’s all worth it. He is also confident that national coverage of the programme will convince future LJMU students to make the most of the services available to them.

“The Times coverage shows that more people are paying attention to WoW which is definitely a good thing,” concluded Michael.

The GDC Employability Team – World of Work Support in Resource Centres

Employer podcasts provide inside track

Our experienced Employability Advisers will be pleased to provide you with help and advice on a range of career-related issues, including checking your CV, taking a year out, where to find career information, applying for jobs, and

Employer supporters of WoW at LJMU are recording short podcasts with the GDC offering their insider views of their organisations, the graduate job market and how to make the most of your applications. Listen to the NHS, Enterprise Rent A Car, The CBI and others at www.ljmu.ac.uk/wow

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understanding and benefiting from the WoW certificate process. The great thing is that they are available without making an appointment in the Learning Resource Centres, making life easier for you.

Takeaway research gives skills head start

BY Laura Day A TEAM of four students have been spending the summer delving into the contents of Merseyside’s takeaways ... all in the name of health research.

Liverpool City Council Trading Standards have enlisted the help of food science students to investigate the salt content in takeaway dishes across the region. The aim of the research is to improve the nutritional quality of the dishes and to create new methods of identifying the healthier options for consumers.

Maeve McCrory, who graduated from Nutritional Studies this year, has been working on the project since May as part of her final year work. She continued on with the research after finishing her degree so she could build on her work experience.

Maeve has also had the assistance of second level student Alison Tang, who has been helping with blending and homogenising the takeaways into samples to be tested: “The process of mashing up the food and doing the same calculations every day is quite tiring, but you realise that it is necessary to do these things to get a large number of results and prove our research. You have to be meticulous in everything you do. I feel very useful to be involved,” said Alison.

Deborah Scott and Sheila Fletcher have been working together to compile the literature and data. Deborah, a second level Nutrition student, said: “It’s about three months of practical work experience we can put on our CVs. I’ve enjoyed it immensely, and it’s been incredibly useful.”

FOOD SCIENCE: (clockwise from top-left) Alison Tang, Deborah Scott, Maeve McCrory and Sheila Fletcher Deborah has been working with Sheila, a level one Community Nutrition student. Sheila commented: “I think I’ve got the most out of it because I’ve been learning from Deborah. It’s an opportunity we’d never have had before; it really is excellent to be involved.”

Leo Stevenson, Senior Lecturer in Food Science, said: “This gives students a different

experience of university. They are pushed to do some higher level lab and literature work.

Working with external agencies applies the students to the WoW project, as they get experience of higher level skills that relate to the world of work, and are driven by the demands of that external agency.”

laura.f.day@gmail.com

Head of History provides an academic view ‘Liverpool John Moores University, as a recent article in the Times newspaper pointed out, is a national leader in the work it does to help make its graduates as employable as possible.

Uniquely, it has built into all of its degree programmes accredited elements which allow students to explore their employment options and to develop skills in demand in the modern

workplace.

As Head of History, I know just how important it is for students to engage with WoW. The range of careers open to history graduates is very wide indeed - including finance, management, the law, the media as well as teaching - yet many students seem unaware of this. WoW gives students the opportunity to

undertake this kind of crucial, life changing and enhancing research, and to get a crucial edge in what is becoming a tough job market. My advice to all students, history or otherwise, is to take full opportunity of WoW. It really is the key to your future!’

Tony Webster, Head of History, LJMU

www.ljmu.ac.uk/wow

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Workplace workspace THE MEDIA, CRITICAL AND CULTURAL ARTS faculty have set up a facility aimed to provide organisations with greater flexibility when it comes to work placements.

Situated in the Dean Walters building, MCA has integrated two rooms within the faculty, named The Workspace and The Office, incorporating the latest technology and equipment, in informal and formal environments respectively.

The concept is to meet the needs of students, employers and academic staff where companies have limited funding, time and space to support World of Work students, providing a base for research, remote working, student enterprise and networking.

Local organisations involved include The Windows Project, a charitable trust promoting writing within the community, Aintree Publishing, who are supporting freelance writers, as well as BBC Radio Merseyside, FACT and the Liverpool Carnival Company.

Trendy triumph THE WINNERS (left to right): Samantha Pickles, Jennifer Robinson, Emily Webber, Sarah Butler, Karen Turley BACK ROW: Presenter Terry Christian, Producer Phil Redmond, Terry Dean of the Environment Agency, Actor Pete Postlethwaite

BY Laura Day A FILM SCRIPT written by five Media Professional Studies students has been selected as the Environment Agency’s winning entry for their new climate change viral ad campaign.

Sarah Butler, Samantha Pickles, Jen Robinson, Karen Turley and Emily Webber won the Environment Agency’s first ever short film competition - Tomorrow’s World, which aims to highlight the issues of climate change, and change behaviours around conservation.

‘Human After All’ was scripted by the five second year students after being given the

briefing of water and how to save resources.

Karen Turley, one of the winning Media Professional Studies students said: “We had a few classes where we were purely thinking about ideas for scripts, and then they told us we had to make a pitch about water.”

The Environment Agency have taken the script and turned it into a unique short film using groundbreaking performance capture footage, and featuring the voices of Coolio and Terry Christian, who are backing the campaign.

Claire Molloy, Senior Lecturer in Media and Film Studies said: “We are delighted with our students’ success in the Tomorrow’s World competition. The idea for the winning film was

developed as part of a Research Skills module where students work on real briefs supplied by the industry.

“The film has been produced using innovative animation techniques and forms an important aspect of the Environment Agency’s campaign to raise awareness about climate change.”

Karen added: “We are really chuffed about winning, and it was really cool to see it being made. We were told that the film will be used by the Environment Agency for about a year.”

You can view the short film at http://www. tomorrowsworldcompetition.com/

laura.f.day@gmail.com

TWO former LJMU students are coming to the aid of women all over Liverpool with their new business venture.

Talia and Kayleigh Baccino have set up Trendy Vend, a company whose vending machines dispense cosmetics in some of the city’s best known nightspots, including Garlands, Babycream and Pan Am. It’s roots stem from a business module undertaken by Talia while studying her degree in Consumer Studies and Marketing.

“After the module, my tutor put me in touch with the Graduate Development Centre and that’s where Trendy Vend started,” said Talia.

“Students should get all the support they can while they’re at university. We wouldn’t be where we are if it wasn’t for the GDC and Student Enterprise.

“The most important thing though is to work hard and never give up.”

Student concentrates on new ‘wonder juice’ research

Double delight

WORKING on a project that will go on to have an impact in your field of interest is a great opportunity for any student.

And when second year Food and Nutrition student Lyndsey Parker was offered the chance to be involved in such a project, she was keen to volunteer as a researcher investigating potential health claims and consumer acceptability of a new concentrate cherry drink.

“I was looking for something to do over the summer and I was told this project work could be used as part of the Current Issues in Food & Nutrition module in third year,” said Lyndsey.

“It is supposed to be the new wonder juice, so I have been conducting consumer research, running some sensory evaluation panels, and reviewing academic literature - much more hands on than just literature searches.”

Led by Senior Lecturer in Food Science Leo Stevenson, Lyndsey has been put to work

FRESH out of University, Marcel Deer isn’t only setting up his first business but also throwing his thoughts to his second.

Marcel was awarded a £3,000 Enterprise Fellowship by LJMU after showing the University a promising business idea.

Now working on his ‘top secret’ second business idea, Marcel hopes that his first business will take off: “I’ve done a bit of work through university promoting bands and I knew I wanted to launch my own career,” he said.

Marcel took a journalism degree but decided to launch a company advising businesses on how to become more PR savvy.

“Student Enterprise is an amazing resource.

Anyone looking to set up their first business need to access them. Their expert advice is invaluable during the early days.”

More information is at www.ljmu.ac.uk/startup

investigating the potential for health claims to support the Canadian manufactured cherry drink: “I’ve been researching the potential for health claims behind the juice and looked at similarities and differences with pomegranate and blueberry juices,” she explained. “A lot of the claims are substantiated.

“I really do feel as though I’m part of a team.

It’s great that the tutors trust you with such a big thing when the university is involved with research and doing this will look great on my CV,” she added.

Terry Dray, Director at the GDC, added “This project is a great example of a student developing her Graduate Skills. These essential skills, which are developed as part of every course at LJMU, are really valued by employers and will put students such as Lyndsey in a much stronger position to gain a great job at the end of their course”.

WONDER RESEARCHER: Lyndsey Parker

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Cannes calling continued from front page film was co-written and produced between Hannah, Adam and Owen Williams, also of Tomfoolery Pictures, and went on to be shown at Cannes 2009.

The graduates received their funding from North West Vision to take their film to the south of France. Adam said: “Our film was chosen as one of the shorts, and was then selected as the lead film. It was really cool.”

Both former students did a combined honours degree with Screen Studies. Hannah combined with American Studies, and Adam with Imaginative Writing. Hannah used part of her work-based learning with American Studies to go and work in New York for production company Giraldi: “It was an opportunity to get hands on-experience and see how everything worked,” she said. “I was mainly editing, but the director also asked me to produce a short film.”

Her ambitions for starting her own production company became a realisation towards the end of her final year when she took on a four-day scholarship through Student Enterprise, which helped her create a business plan: “It was a short course to give you an overview of how to run your business, and a business advisor helped to mentor you. It gave you the chance to focus on how to create a business,” she said.

Adam’s company was set up once he returned home to Wales. Once he and Lincoln graduate Owen returned home, they set out to start Tomfoolery Pictures. Adam said: “It was really hard but we had a lot of help from people. It took about a year to set up.”

Mark Williams of the university’s Alumni Association, said: “In having their production showcased at the Cannes Film Festival shows their determination and entrepreneurial flair. LJMU has a track record nurturing entrepreneurial talent and this emphasises how our degrees prepare people for the world of work”.

Gosh Productions: Email: info@goshproductions.com Tomfoolery Pictures: Email: enquiries@tomfoolerypictures.com

AUTUMN 2009

WoW and Me

BY Jack Davies I first heard about WoW back in the summer of 2008 when I took part in the World Firefighters Games with the university.

If I’m honest I didn’t really know what it was or why I needed it. I was just taking part for the experience of providing news coverage for the event. WoW then disappeared from my thoughts as I entered the final year of my Journalism degree, thinking I had far more important things to be thinking about.

had let the free services at the GDC go to waste.

I then found myself jumping at the opportunity to work on the WoW Star, the university’s new newspaper to raise awareness of the WoW qualification and how it can help graduates taking their first steps into the job market. I felt a bit of a hypocrite singing the qualification’s praises without having completed it myself. So when the opportunity arose to do a fast track version, I grabbed it.

As a ‘fast tracker’ I only completed the online survey, personal statement and interview aspects of the process. Looking back I wish I It was during the Careers and Freelance had started earlier and taken advantage of the module of my course that I came across this sessions which aim to improve employability.

‘WoW’ thing again. Having to take part in a mock interview for the module gave me a better After speaking to graduates like Michael Stringfellow, who got a job after being idea of what it was all about and the services that the Graduate Development Centre offered. interviewed largely on the subject of WoW, I can see the advantages of having the World of Work on your CV. During my final semester I thought that maybe I should do something about the WoW certificate, as I looked for things that could enhance my CV. Unfortunately it came pretty low on my priority list behind dissertation and final project. So, come the end of my degree, I thought my chance of obtaining the WoW certificate had gone and yet another student

I would definitely recommend that students start the WoW process as early as possible and take full advantage of the sessions in order to improve employability after graduation.

WOW WORKS: Jack at Graduation 2009

rjd87@hotmail.co.uk

So what do you do all day?

STUDENTS are being given a rare insight into the working life of LJMU graduates thanks to a new online facility, ‘My Working Day’.

Engineers, Architects and Marketing Managers have all lent their support to the facility which is part of the university’s WoW initiative.

“What we decided to do is to help students when they’re thinking about their different careers,” said careers trainer Hayley Fallon.

“We’ve got actual case studies of people who’ve been to LJMU making it much more relevant to students.”

Staff at the Graduate Development Centre are encouraging more and more graduates to fill in the online form.

“We ask them what their job involves, their typical working day and if they have tips and advice on job hunting,” added Ms Fallon.

A backer of ‘My Working Day’ is 2007

Electrical and Electronic Engineering graduate David Murray. After graduating, David secured a place on a graduate employment scheme as a principal engineer at Sellafield.

“I think it’s a fantastic service,” David said.

“When looking for work it’s hard to know what’s expected of you but this gives you the chance to see what other graduates have done.”

‘My Working Day’ can be accessed at www.ljmu.ac.uk/wow

Practice makes placement

laura.f.day@gmail.com

Creative Engineers just what industry wants Level 2 students from the School of Engineering will be developing academic and WoW skills with the help of Ford Europe this year by working in teams to design the transport solution of the future.

This type of professionally relevant, creative and team-focused challenge is just what industry wants, so much so, that Ford Europe is sending five of their leading Engineers to deliver cutting-edge breakfast lectures on each of the five days of the Creative Innovation Challenge.

Terry Dray, Director of the GDC commented: “In asking Ford (A member of the WoW National Advisory Group) to commit so much time and resource to the Innovation Challenge I was aware that they are selective in which universities they partner with. I am delighted that Ford didn’t hesitate to work with our highly regarded Engineers and the WoW Programme”.

www.ljmu.ac.uk/wow

GDC TO NHS: Victoria Shaw-Twig

SECURING a year’s placement is always pretty tough but Victoria Shaw-Twig has managed to secure an internship with the NHS. After trying her hand at all types of degrees Victoria decided that Business and Public Relations was the career for her and started the course in 2008. As part of her degree she is required to take a year’s work placement to improve her skills acquired at university.

“Now when I finish university I already have a year’s experience to take to a company. I looked at a few different positions but I wanted to work with the NHS,” said Victoria.

After securing the Communications Assistant position with the NHS, Victoria has been

given a chance to meet one of her idols in the business world: “I met Michael Band, he’s a business advisor and I’ve used his books for a lot of my university work.”

After practising her interview technique with the Graduate Development Centre, Victoria believes this secured her the job.

Victoria said: “It was good getting the feedback as I could see where I went wrong.

I felt that my answers were much clearer after my second mock interview.

“The GDC is a precious resource which should be accessed by everyone who wants to further their careers and to get the vital experience of the job application process.”

Get yourself some contacts!

NETWORKING is a skill often underestimated by students. But, as one Psychology student found out, it can be key to your achievements at university and the early stages of a career.

During Helena Tucker’s second year at LJMU she took a Psychology Career Management module which would open her eyes to the advantages of networking.

“I went out to meet some clinical psychologists

and was able to build up some contacts.

“It’s important to get as many contacts as it will give you a head start,” she said. “If people know about you, they can recommend you to other people.”

Helena has also taken advantage of the services available at the Graduate Development Centre to help improve her employability. She has been for one-on-

one discussions about her options following graduation including job hunting and progressing to a doctorate.

Helena is set to go through the WoW programme this year and believes that it could prove to be a valuable addition to her CV. “It is definitely a good idea because it shows employers that you have taken the time to do more on top of your degree,” she said.

www.ljmu.ac.uk/wow

Speed up your job hunt

BY Helen Coates WITH THOUSANDS of students graduating every year and the job market getting smaller and smaller it can seem near impossible to find a job during the current economic climate.

Graduates need to find a way to stand out from the crowd and with the Graduate Development Centre’s new Graduate Accelerator Programme students can do just that.

Sarah Cartwright, a former Tourism, Leisure and French student, said: “You feel sort of

The Graduate Development Centre THE place to develop your career The GDC in Kingsway House is a stateof-the-art career development and training facility, open to all LJMU students. Located on Hatton Garden near to Avril Robarts and Byrom Street, it’s the envy of other universities.

WoW® sessions such as self-awareness, project management and business ethics etc, and Ready for Work sessions focussing on CV writing, application form filling, interview and selection centre techniques etc. are run regularly here. The GDC is the place to meet employers during presentations or networking meetings. The WoW® certificate interview with an employer will take place in the GDC and if you want to speak one of the GDC staff about a career-related matter simply drop-in. If you want a recorded practice interview the GDC is for you. Come and have a look at this great facility – you’ll receive a warm welcome!

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Spoilt for choice!

FILLING THE GAPS: (from left to right) Kristina Tischendorf, Samantha Jones, and Sarah Cartwright

lost when it comes to looking for a job I really didn’t know where to start. This programme has shown me what areas to aim at and how to get your foot in the door when there are thousands of other students going for the same position.”

The Accelerator Programme is an intensive programme open to graduates from all universities. Participants undergo a range of training and mock interviews as well as receiving expert advice to prepare them for the tough job seeking market.

Kristina Tischendorf, a former Food and Nutrition student, said: “The presentations show you exactly where you could be going

wrong and how to improve. I now know where to look for jobs and how I can show my relevant skills off to their highest potential.”

Samantha Jones graduated with a Business and Information degree in 2007 but decided to come back to do this course after failing to find a job in her chosen career.

“When I started looking for jobs all of them wanted experience,” she said. “I thought that this programme would show me where to look for the right job and how I could improve my skills to secure that position.”

hccoat@googlemail.com

WITH the way the job market is, with hundreds of people applying for every position, getting onto a graduate scheme is a challenge in itself, but Jenny Charnock managed to bag herself two.

Jenny had applied for many jobs when she graduated in 2008 but found that she needed an edge over other students she was competing with. She answered an email from the Graduate Development Centre offering help to students applying for jobs and found the experience helped her secure her dream job.

“I went to the GDC to see how I could improve and to see how to show my skills off,” she said.

“I did it all - practice interview and psychometric test. I found it really helpful. They gave me personal feedback on everything and it really showed me where I was going wrong but also what I was doing right.”

Jenny was offered the scheme with Barclays but also a scheme in communications with Liverpool Primary Care Trust: “I applied to Barclays as I have worked for Barclays all the way through University and I knew it would be a good job, but I really wanted the PCT job because I felt I would be making a difference if I worked with a care trust,” she explained.

“I was happy to learn I got both but I went for the PCT job.

“Graduates should take full advantage of what the GDC is offering. It should give LJMU students the edge,” she added.

Graduate Skills - what every employer wants Having real evidence of skills like written communication, team work and IT etc. are essential, alongside your degree, to impress graduate employers. Each Faculty has Skills Support Officers who will help you identify, understand and record the skills you are developing through your course, work related learning and your life outside of LJMU. See your faculty web site or the WoW web site to find out how to talk to one your SSOs.

A successful Stateside partnership FOR MOST students, graduating means the beginning of a gruelling hunt for that first step on the career ladder. But for two LJMU graduates the journey up the ladder is becoming a quick and transatlantic one.

James Rowan and Alex Ormandy combined to create web design company Webrevolve Ltd after each graduating from the Faculty of Environment and Technology in 2007. And now, just eight months after forming, the pair’s company has secured a contract with Mankato, the biggest web design company in Minnesota.

Webrevolve are now building websites for American clients on a regular basis.

The pair did not accidentally stumble across a contract in the US. During the final year of his Multimedia Systems degree James pursued freelance work to gain some much needed funds and gain useful contacts in the industry.

“I started freelancing about two years ago for a Minnesota based web design company and I was doing one a week just to get some money,” said James. “When I graduated I took on more and more work and over two years just developed the relationship with the Americans.”

This freelance work became a contract for Webrevolve, who now produce around five websites per week for the US company.

While James was working as a freelance and taking part in the University’s Business Bridge scheme, Alex was one of the first to go through the WoW pilot scheme. Though in its early stages, the scheme helped Alex into his first job.

Eager to pass on their secrets to succeeding in a difficult business environment, the pair offered advice to any budding entrepreneurs.

“Build up your network of contacts,” said James. “You’ll always find help in the least expected places.”

“Support and advice is available whether it’s through LJMU and the Graduate Development Centre or other organisations. Don’t do it on your own, the GDC can point you in the right direction,” added Alex.

James has returned to the university over the summer to take part in the Enterprise Fellowship Scheme as he strives to grow his company. “I’m willing to take any business advice I can get,” he said.

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AUTUMN 2009

www.ljmu.ac.uk/wow

Dare to dream and you will achieve!

My name is Lei, the owner of L&S Nail Salon.

I originally came from China and I am now settled in Liverpool ‘The Capital of Culture 2008’. It is a beautiful and multi-cultured city which has a unique and diverse history with one of the oldest Chinese Communities in the UK. I was formerly an acrobatic performer who has been travelling the world with many famous Circus troupes including the Chinese State Circus. From the age of seven until 23 I did this full time. It was a great experience but it did result in the lack of formal education for me as an individual.

NAIL-ED IT: Lei Zheng

Since I was a little girl I always dreamed of becoming a successful entrepreneur with a good degree. I never thought I would be where I am today.

Jungle to John Moores LEAVING the jungle for John Moores is not the likeliest of transitions. But for one man, it is certainly the case.

Tejendra Pherali, 32, is from Nepal and has been travelling the world since 2001 expanding his knowledge and adding more qualifications to his CV with each country he visits.

Now in Liverpool, Tejendra is studying for a PhD looking at the impact of armed conflict on school education in Nepal. But Tejendra’s situation changed when he was offered the job as a Senior Lecturer while studying for his PhD: “I have taught in the past, when I was in Nepal.

I began contributing to different modules, and this teaching post in the university came up. I wanted to go into academia sometime in the future, so I thought, why not try it?

“I think it is a fantastic opportunity at this age

and this level of education for me, so I am really pleased,” he said. “I’ve been travelling to different countries, I need to settle down and continue my career in a secure job.

“I don’t come from a very ecologically advanced country where people would readily have TV or phone,” he said. “We never expected to have water in our taps every morning. Either we went to the river to fetch water, or if you lived in a small town in the city, we would expect to have water every other day.

“Before we went to school, we would go to the jungle to collect food and water for our domestic animals. And when I went to school, I had to travel two hours there and back in the mountains, crossing the river, walking along the narrow trails. Travelling to different countries in a computer world feels like a dream.”

I am now on my way to achieving my dream as I have just completed my second year of study in LJMU. The university is providing me with the best materials and teaching environment, plus the opportunity to set up my own business as a young entrepreneur. After completing my second year of study and turning my business idea into reality I am beginning to taste the trappings of success and starting to believe that I can make my dream come true.

The business idea was born when I was studying the Graduate Enterprise 1 module and developed in Graduate Enterprise 2. It was a very interesting and useful module which helped me to create my business idea from scratch to become the winner of the best commercial business award. The business was inspired by the Chinese model of express beauty.

So this is my story, and finally I want to say ‘Dare to Dream’ because you can make your dream come true.

Lei Zheng

JOURNALISM STUDENTS have been given just the platform to showcase their work, with the launch of a news website integrating audio, video and text at www.jmu-journalism.org.uk.

‘Liverpool Life’ was established in May 2009 by the Journalism department at the Screen School. The launch was a much-welcomed move by the students, who, for a number of years, have not had a journalistic outlet for their practices. An initial launch team of level two and three students worked for several weeks preparing the look and content of the website.

Dan Burke was appointed as Website Editor at level three, having the initial job of briefing the news team, and passing on his knowledge to next year’s editor, Sam Rogers.

He said: “Along with enhancing our basic journalism skills and developing skills such as



LJMU’s vacancy website

A year later I’m proud to be accepted on the Graduate Fellowship programme run by Student Enterprise which provides a £3,000 bursary for start ups, on-going support and professional advice to get the business off the ground. With all this support and grants in place I will have the grand opening in both locations in September 2009.

LJMU’s Journalists launch website

Log on to brand new job site

looking for a job or placement? check out

L&S will provide nail and make-up services in busy shopping centres with an affordable price.

The ideal locations planned were St. John’s Shopping Centre and LSU (Students’ Union, Haigh Building).

THIS YEAR sees the launch of a new job vacancies database, especially designed for LJMU students.

Students and employers will now be able to access a one stop shop for student jobs, graduate jobs, work placements and more.

It is hoped the new system will make it easier for employers to upload their vacancies, encouraging more companies to advertise.

The website will also make the annual hunt for a work placement much more painless as placements will also be advertised.

While it would appear that this new facility is mainly an advantage to students, organisers hope employers will see the potential gains they could make from the system.

“There’s a lot of doom and gloom in the job market at the moment but there are still vacancies there. Graduates might turn away from graduate schemes thinking there aren’t that many about but there are. This is a quick and easy way to find them,” said Andy Byrne, Team Leader of the Student Employment Team.

Go to www.ljmu.ac.uk/wow and click the link to the vacancies system.

leadership, team work and delegation, I would say that working on the website has prepared many of us for the world of work like no other project we’ve done.

“The fact that we also had the experience of working on a real life project meant that we enhanced one of the most important journalism skills - working to deadlines,” he added.

Online Journalism lecturer John Mathews said: “Learning in a true World of Work environment gives students realistic expectations of the kind of work and working practices that are common in modern newsrooms. The website not only provides students with a platform for their coursework to show to potential employers, it also gives them ongoing work experience, operating in a variety of roles.”

International Students listen up!

If you are an international student you will be investing a lot in your education at LJMU. The Graduate Development Centre (GDC) is keen to work with you to help you achieve your career objectives. Some of our initiatives include: • Research into your career aspirations and what you think will make you more employable • WoW certificate sessions for international students • More information on our web site for international students including country guides • A programme of “Live” employer presentations with graduate recruiters from overseas using video conferencing technology at the GDC Remember the LJMU WoW® certificate is supported by Sony, Oracle, The CBI, United Utilities, GKN and more.

www.ljmu.ac.uk/wow

AUTUMN 2009

THE WoW STAR

7

New Zealand - the 11,000 mile leap to career dreams

BY Laura Day THE LEISURE and Tourism industry is a worldwide enterprise that is centred around everything to do with travel, hospitality and exploration. And this was something that second year Leisure and Tourism Management student Andrew Schreiber wanted to take advantage of, by working abroad for his yearlong hospitality placement.

But Andrew didn’t do his placement by halves, and travelled to the other side of the world to pursue the next stage of his degree – the only student in his year to do so. In May 2008, Andrew found himself in New Zealand: “I didn’t want to let anything get in the way of me working away; it was an opportunity of a lifetime,” he said. “I’ve lived at home for 21 years and I wanted to get out there and experience independent life.”

After talking to his tutor the seed was planted, and Andrew sent his CV to the Crowne Plaza in Queenstown. He was accepted in February, and was working there just three months later.

“I had no idea what to expect, I was just excited to go over. I just thought, ‘it’s now or never’,” he said. “Once I got over there I met with the General Manager who put together a plan of what I’d be doing in the hotel. It didn’t quite pan out, as we were playing things by ear, but I found that it was the making of me - it’s

made me who I am.”

Andrew started his placement by working for six weeks in housekeeping: “I was working during the ski season, and the leisure concierge wanted me working as a porter to help out. I excelled as a porter because I enjoyed it so much.”

After spending 11 months in New Zealand, Andrew already hopes to go back, especially following high praise from his employers. “The Crowne Plaza have told me they want me back after I graduate, so I’m staying loyal,” Andrew said. “It’s a foot in the door, and you have to work your way up from there.

“For the next three years I think I’ll stay at the Crowne Plaza. They’re building an intercontinental in Queenstown, and I’m thinking that could be a goal to aim at. What I would really like to do is become a General Manager.”

Of his experience, Andrew said: “Working abroad has helped because you gain knowledge of the outside world, you can put your principles of practice into your work and what you’ve learned in the business. Without this, I think I’d be stuck to be honest, I wouldn’t know what job to go into. I wanted to become a teacher but after working in a hotel for a year, this is where I want to be.”

laura.f.day@gmail.com

LIVING THE DREAM: Andrew Schreiber TOP: The Crowne Plaza

Access all areas in unique LJMU opportunity MEETING the key players in your degree’s industry is an invaluable experience for any student, especially in a competitive market such as the music business.

With this in mind, Popular Music students are soon to be given the opportunity to ‘speed date’ the industry in one of Liverpool’s most historical music venues: The Cavern Club.

Access All Areas ’09 will be the second conference to be organised by Senior Lecturer in Popular Music, Tim Dalton. It is a unique experience offering students one-to-one time

with the big names in the business, putting them in the spotlight and presenting students with an elevator pitch (one capable of being delivered during a short elevator ride) of their company.

In December, students will be given the triple ‘A’ treatment with head honchos from companies such as Delta Sonic, Elevator Studios and Adlib Audio, all of whom spend ten minutes with each student following their elevator pitch.

The event aims to secure students with that

all-important work placement for their third level work based learning modules.

Tim explained: “Popular music students are a unique bunch, and can be difficult to place for their work-based learning as there are no jobs as such. There are incentives for both students and employers. Employers like to come to a place and use it as a networking event.

“About 50 per cent of our students end up getting jobs out of work-based learning - or with associate companies - and it’s something that no other UK university does,” Tim added.

Part-time job leads to full-time success

THIRSTY WORK: Chelsea Oxberry

THE FEELING of uncertainty and what to do with your degree is something many students face while at university. Chelsea Oxberry was one such student, but thanks to her part-time job in a delicatessen, she discovered her flair for marketing products and services.

An English, Media and Cultural Studies student, Chelsea’s job of three years turned into her work based learning module at second level.

“It had been my part time work while at university,” she explained. “I was working locally, so I went for the local industry and learned the importance of local economy, marketing and branding. I would promote brands and encourage our local products. You really can go into something and not expect to get much out of it, but it opened a lot of new doors for me.”

Chelsea’s confidence in her ability grew, and in her third year she was asked to give

a presentation on the benefits of work based learning to second level students.

“After the presentation I heard some tutors mention work placements, which is how I heard about a networking event for women - Thirsty Thursday - based in Liverpool,” she said. “They wanted someone to market their events so I called them.

“As well as networking it’s about socialising because they’re busy businesswomen. They go along to see if they can help each other out and promote what they are starting. Some are working at magazines, or at Miss Britain.”

Chelsea also received a Research Excellence Award for her ‘highly successful and original work during this academic year’, which she received the day prior to her graduation.

“When you don’t know where you want to go, work based learning gives you a real chance to discover whether you are going to enjoy something or not,” she added.

Ready for Work?

The GDC’s Ready for work programme is designed to help you develop leading edge approaches to finding jobs, writing CVs, completing application forms, interview technique and much more. These popular sessions are run by the GDC’s Careers Advisers and Trainers at the GDC throughout the year. Getting the basics of job hunting and applying for jobs is essential – don’t let yourself down by getting the basics wrong! Details are at www.ljmu.ac.uk/wow

Stand out with the GDC GETTING a place on the BT graduate scheme is no easy feat but former LJMU student Sarah Capper has not looked back since she did just that when she graduated in 2004.

Now a senior operations manager and living in London, Sarah believes she owes it all to the help she received from the University and through successful practice interviews she did with the GDC. Sarah said: “The help from the practice interviewing and the psychometric tests really gave me the confidence when going for the scheme, and I got it.

“What John Moores is doing now is really amazing. LJMU students are actually standing out from other graduates in the job market because of the training and advice that they offer,” she added.

THE WoW STAR

AUTUMN 2009

www.ljmu.ac.uk/wow

Star Stories!

WoW graduates who were honoured at recent graduation ceremonies

Gilbert Ankrah Business Management

Victoria Edwards LLB Law

Jonathan Gill LLB Law

Carly Ashworth Criminology Sociology Farzina Kapadia Accounting and Finance GDC posters :Layout 1

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GDC posters :Layout 1

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Michael Platt Sports and Exercise Science (Physiology)

Chad Cearns Business Information Systems

Binu Mamparampil Kurian Construction Management

Michael Hayes Applied Languages (Europe)

Mark Onion Business Studies

www.ljmu.ac.uk/wow For graduate vacancies, sandwich/industrial placements, internships/summer work, part time jobs, volunteering opportunities and work-based learning placements.

300,000 students graduate each year. How will you stand 300,000 students out from the crowd?graduate

each year. How will you stand out from the crowd?

GDC’s “Ready for Work” career essentials workshops can help.

Visit www.ljmu.ac.uk/wow email: gdc@ljmu.ac.uk or phone the Graduate Development Centre on 0151 231 8099.

LJMU’s free Vacancy Website, open to all undergraduates and recent graduates, advertises a wide range of vacancies including volunteering opportunities, student placements, project work and graduate employment.

Provided by the Graduate Development Centre, LJMU’s unique centre, supporting you throughout and after your university career, through the World of Work initiative.

Get in touch to find out how you can...

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gain the WoW certificate attend Ready For Work workshops get careers advice and support attend the Graduate Accelerator Programme join LJMU’s Alumni at www.ljmu.ac.uk/alumni and more To improve your employability and get involved with the Graduate Development Centre at LJMU, please contact: e: gdc@ljmu.ac.uk t: 0151 231 8099 w: www.ljmu.ac.uk/wow