Studied NCTJ Fast Track Magazine Journalism

Working as a copywriter for figleaves.com

Age: 23
Completed course: June 2012

How did the course help you progress?
I did English Lit at university and I’ve always been interested in journalism and writing, so I thought this course would be perfect for honing my writing skills. It really helped because I was able to build up my portfolio, and I got to try different things that helped me narrow down exactly which type of writing I wanted to do. Just refined my skills really.

Did you feel more prepared for the workplace when you left college?
I felt so much more confident. Much more prepared than I did after uni, actually. I felt like here it was more geared towards actually getting a job and going to work whereas uni is more like life skills and work as well.

What do you most enjoy about your job?
I love everything. I love writing about... well I’ve just written all the trends for swimwear, lingerie, and I love just the amount of writing I get to do and how varied it is. I’m the only copywriter, so when I started I could sort of say "you know, I’m interested in this... ". That’s why I did the blog and I love writing catalogues and trend copy.

So it’s fashion based as well?
Yeah, it’s good and I work with really lovely people and I get to do some exciting things.

What's been the most interesting piece that you've written?
There’s been so many! One I really enjoyed was a look-book for the press on swimwear trends. I also do an article every month for weddings. It’s called Wedding Planner and it gives brides expert advice on what sort of lingerie to choose for their wedding, what looks good under the dress and how important it is. I also did an advertorial for the Daily Mail when I first started and that was on summer swimwear for men and women, which was fun.

What research did you do into your chosen career?
I did a lot of looking on the internet but my friend actually got a copywriting job at ASOS and I thought "oh wow" and I looked at that and then I typed in fashion copywriter and research about it and thought "that’s really up my street!".

What advice would you give to someone who's applying for university?
I’d say get involved in as much as possible and find the right balance between socialising and doing your work.

What about doing things like writing a personal statement and researching into where they want to go?
Lot of people, before they start uni don’t actually know what they want to do. So I think trying to narrow it down to the career that you actually want to do, then tailoring your personal statement around that.

What advice would you give to someone who wanted to be a copywriter?
Get as much experience as possible. Whether it’s copywriting or journalism. I did journalism interning and I worked for a magazine as well. Build up your portfolio as much as possible. I think I got my job because my portfolio was so big. Get as much varied work as possible – it shows that you're adaptable.

What skills do you think are important for a copywriter to have?
Working to deadlines, being organised, making sure you're focused. It’s hard to feel creative all the time, so taking breaks and looking for inspiration and reading as well, actually.

What qualities do you think a good copywriter should have?
I’m quite a perfectionist, so that could be a weakness as well, but I think attention to detail is important. Being quite a people person, being a creative person and keeping up to date with your field.

Lastly, where do you see yourself in five years time?
Still writing, and within fashion, but I’m not sure exactly. I just want to see where it takes me. I’m quite excited, actually, because I don’t know where I’m going to be but I definitely want to be in writing. Just progress with my career, really.

Studied Electrical Level 3 C&G

Currently working as an electrician
for Butler West Electrical

Age: 21
Course completed: 2011

What do you enjoy most about your job?
It's different every day and I'm always problem solving and coming across new challenges. The people I work with are great.

What responsibilities do you have?
At the moment me and my colleague are running a job in Oxford. Running a couple of jobs actually.

What are the most important pieces of equipment you need to start up?
Wire strippers, screwdrivers and a hammer. Definitely.

How did your course help you progress onto your chosen career?
The theory turned out to be really useful because you can relate to it on-site. It’s a lot different doing it on a bit of board to doing it in a house!

What qualifications do you need most to qualify as an electrician?
You need your Level 3 and they are now asking for the Testing Certificate as well, which I haven’t got yet but want to do. It's a hard course but you need to know your testing stuff.

What about GCSE wise?
English, Maths and Science are important, definitely. If you get all those you can skip a year, cut out Level 1 and go straight to Level 2.

What's the best job you've been to?
I don’t know really, I’ve done so many. We did a few schools in Witham and that was great – it was all metal trayed and armored, stuff I’ve never really done before.

How did you know that electrical was the industry for you?
I didn’t, actually. I did day release at school to come to Harlow College to try out all the trades. Every couple of months we swapped throughout the year so we did everything and I felt electrical was the one for me.

What advice would you give to someone who wanted to be an electrician?
Just make sure it's something you really want to do because there's no point in doing it and then getting to a certain point and thinking, this isn’t for me. So you just need to make sure it is something you want to do and work hard at it.

Is it better to work for a company or work independently?
Independently, I would say. Go to companies first and build up your experience, because there's nothing like getting stuck and not knowing what to do so, I would say build up your experience with companies and then go on to do it by yourself later on.

What skills do you think are important for an electrician to have?
Team player, always, because nine times out of ten you will be working with other people. And confidence as well, because the last thing the client wants is someone who's a bit shy and not really knowing what they're doing.

What qualities do you think you have to have to be a good electrician?
Personality goes a long way, and just being a team player really. Just doing your bit and working hard.

Lastly, where do you see yourself in five years time?
In that time I'd like to have been in a few other companies and maybe considering working for myself.

Studied First Diploma in Science and BTEC National Diploma in Applied Science

Works for BUPA as an Aseptic Operator

Age: 24
Completed course: 2009

What are you doing now?
I work in a pharmaceutical compound unit making chemo drugs for people being cured at home.

What University did you go to?
I did one year at Bristol University and found the living costs too expensive, so I switched to Brunel University in Uxbridge, London.

What did you study?
BSC in Biomedical Sciences.

What did you do after Uni?
I travelled to the Philippines and worked in a big hospital, with a charity called VSO for 3 months doing research work in tuberculosis. I was a team leader and also arranged events to raise the awareness of TB with info about vaccines. I then went to Uxbridge Hospital and did some work there, then I joined BUPA. I love my work and I always make people smile, I'm always positive and happy at work.

Did the courses you studied at Harlow College prepare you for what you do now?
Yes, I was hoping to do dentistry, but when I applied to do biomedical science everything I studied at Harlow College just came back, all the material provided was really,  really helpful.

Have you any advice for others going to University?
If you want to go to another level, go to Uni, be open to the new you! Don't worry what your friends are doing! Don`t limit yourself, be positive!

Did you do much research before going to University?
Yes, I attended the Harlow College Guidance Centre and the staff there helped me a lot. Diana in particular helped me a lot. I couldn`t speak English when I came to College in 2005, I couldn`t say a word in English! Harlow College really prepared me and helped me throughout, applying for University. I am really happy with the service from Harlow College.

When did you realise that this was the area of work you wanted to pursue?
My granddad was a doctor, he said that if you are a doctor or work in a science department you live longer... I have always said since I was 5 years old that I would be a doctor.

What advice would you give to anyone who wants to go into your line of work?
I will tell them, you must know what you really want to do, Science is really hard but if you really want it you can do it! I did not even speak English but I still went for it. I did my English course here at Harlow College on the ESOL course.

What skills are important for a scientist?
Be a hard worker, be focused and be a hard worker. Love what you are doing and be good at research.

Where will you be in 5 years' time?
I am going back to university to study to be a dentist, I have also worked as a dental nurse for the last 6 months. So hopefully in 5 years' time I will be a dentist.