Employment views
By Luke Mayo Youth Ambassador
We all have our own outlooks on employability – how to achieve it, what we wish to do with it. Knowing other peoples’ views on employment can be a helpful factor in our discernment of employability paths.
This is why I have spoken to other people on my English course at University Campus Suffolk. I have asked what sorts of things they have undertaken in terms of employment, and it has certainly been fascinating to hear other views.
My good friend and colleague, Charlotte, is also doing the English course, having 
previously done A-levels in English Language and Literature, Business Studies and media studies. Though she was aware of careers advice given during this time, none of it really sank in.
Her career ambitions involve teaching, much like me. As such, she is undertaking a project at the moment which involves teaching classes in a school, so as to garner as much experience as possible. She also volunteered in the Suffolk Young People’s Health Project (4YP), a Suffolk-based charity which provides guidance for young people relating to alcohol, drugs and sexual health. Charlotte offered support in a summer project for 11-16 year olds, a group which found its way onto a radio programme.
Charlotte’s advice to anybody starting at 6th form or college imminently is to “plan your time” and to “find good ways of managing stress”. This will ring true for anyone embarking on the next stage of their education- at university, stress and time management are two valuable traits.
I also spoken to another good friend, Roseanne. Like Charlotte, she took A-levels in English, Business Studies and Psychology. The main careers advice that she received in this time involved the basics of getting a job. This included visiting Willis, the insurance company, to find out what kind of people they employ (something which Charlotte also went on). She also learned about going to university.
In terms of work experience, Roseanne has volunteered as a receptionist in Ben Gummers (an office in Ipswich) and is now working as a mentor in Copleston High School (also in Ipswich). She is also working in a customer service role at Thompson and Morgan’s in Ipswich in order to save up as much money as possible.
Her main advice to future generations is to “make sure they are prepared” for their university placement, and to be aware of “other options” (such as apprenticeships) in case it doesn’t work out.
Obtaining the views of other people can provide useful aid in moving forwards in the world of careers. The experience and opinions of others can help us see job-hunting in a different way.
