Future in Finance Employability Event

The Guidance & Employability Team (GET) gave a presentation in my finance lecture on Monday. This was for the forthcoming Future in Finance employability event. This event is a very rare opportunity for us to meet and talk to managers from Barclays, HSBC, IBM, Royal Mail, Northern Trust, and Investec Asset Management who currently work in accounting and finance jobs. Managers from professional bodies such as ACCA, CIMA and CIPFA will also be there to give advice on professional qualifications and how these can help us in our chosen careers. That is so ideal for me!

In preparation for this event, the GET team run series of workshops to help us students develop and improve our CV. This service runs occasionally - they have drop in sessions and it is on a first come first serve basis. They mentioned in the presentation that this would help us to focus on our strengths and encourage us to think about the areas of accounting and finance that we are most suited to before meeting managers who currently work in these areas.

I am definitely interested in going but have a lot on... A LOT!!! I need to think quickly or otherwise a good opportunity will go begging.

My third year experience to date is not at the level of what I had experienced in my second year simply because there is so much work to do (it is just constant). In truth, I neglected as you know a lot of theory work in my second year and I would say that I got away with it by memorising most of the key points... no jokes. I seriously do not think that I can maintain that approach this year. The best advice I can give to you all is to work out what works well for you. In other words, do you like working with numbers? Do you like theory? Etc. Once you know what suits you best then you can go for your ideal course. I know that it will be hard picking out the right course because you may have to deal with both (as I am currently experiencing). Definitely read the opinions of past and current students that are on your preferred program of study. Read our blogs people!

That is it for now! Enjoy your coming week people!

Thank you!

1 down... so many to go!

First thing:

Our group presentation took place this week and we did extremely well. Seriously, I am not making it up. Our tutor as well as our whole class praised us. We have set the standard now for the others to beat... obviously, I would expect them to do it but it will be extra work for them. I will admit that I was nervous at start but it was cool afterwards. After the presentation, we had individual feedback and it was encouraging news for all of us. We then had the questions to finish the session. Our tutor honestly thought that we had plenty of practice. However, we practiced only ONCE and that was the day before. I would therefore advise you not to take that approach. Luck was on our side that day.
That is one down... finally! It is good news for us but for me personally... I am not going to take anything for granted. I still haven't started on my initial study yet. I will make a start on it after I finish up on this blog... that is a promise. It just keeps on coming! The finance coursework is to be given to us on Monday... cannot wait... yeah right! LOL. What else can I do... nothing but weep.

Moving on...

Our open day took place this week (Saturday). The turnout was immense... thanks to everyone who attended. Hope you all enjoyed your visit. Yes, it was busy but time was flying big time I would say. Our group was responsible for campus and accommodation tours. A lot of people opted for accommodation tours rather than campus... I found it weird but it was fun doing the tours. I met many people who were interested to apply for my same course. I just gave them advice and my experiences to date.


If you have missed it (the open day... of course), do not worry because we have more open days throughout the year. The next one will take place on Saturday 27th November. In general, I would strongly recommend you to attend these events because it is not just about tours and stuff but you get the chance to meet course tutors and academics who will give you advice.

Until next week people.

Thank you as always!

Too tired!

It has been exactly two weeks in uni so far and I am completely knackered already.

This week was busy busy busy for us. The pressure is creeping up, as we have to deliver a presentation next week. We have done a lot of work in terms of research and we have done so much more which is good news but the only problem is that we are finding it hard to break down large chunks of information to fit into about twelve slides - that is tough. Obviously, we have a lot of talking to do but then again we have to take into account of the time (20 minute duration). We already know which area we will be covering but it is all about having the end product.

As the presentation is based on a real life company (Inditex Group - so... store brands e.g. Zara, Pull and Bear, Massimo Dutti etc) - we simply cannot afford to make stuff up on the day. Our tutor will obviously suss it out... LOL. Do not worry people we do not intend to do something like that. Who would eh? Even our tutor said that we are bound to make mistakes. We simply cannot afford to make silly ones!

There is more that I have to do (coursework!) which I had mentioned in my last blog. Can I actually work under pressure over and over again? Only time will tell.

This is for your information: once you are a university student, you will come across working in groups to deliver presentations and complete other forms of assignments etc. There maybe times where you get to pick your own groups or your tutors will pick them for you. I know it is hard working with people you do not know... I still remember my first year (I had a silent partner too... chaos!). However, there are good things that come out of group work. You will get to know more people and realise their strengths and weaknesses - you end up learning from others.

You will experience the ups and downs of working in groups... just take it to your advantage. The key thing to remember is that it is a team effort all the way! Therefore, no one man soldier antics. If you take that approach then you will not get far.

That it is for now people. Enjoy your coming week!

Thank you all.

A tough start!!! Please help me!!!

Yes the title for this blog entry is fully justified. So this week university started and boy we are all dooooomed. As I have mentioned so many times before that this final year is going to kill me. There is no room to be chilling about – no more pool in the SU and other stuff too. I am serious. I have to admit and say that this first week I had witnessed was really bad. The first and second year students can get away with at least two to three weeks off doing nothing – not for this year though. Ahhh man!!!

The sad thing is that I have to submit all of this (below) before December:

1. Finance: Financial report

2. Current issues in financial accounting: Initial study

3. Strategic financial management: Business report + portfolio

Hard times!!!

Ah man... we (a group of five) have to do a presentation in less than TWO WEEKS time. This is for strategic financial management. As we are the first group to present one topic out of six, we seriously need to set a standard for the other groups to beat. That is not going to be easy. We volunteered to do the first presentation because we just wanted to get it over and done with. Time is the only problem here and we need to just have the belief that we can pull it off. Boy if we can deliver a strong presentation, we can build on that because it is going to help immensely on the report we have to do afterwards (it is all linked). I am currently doing my research now and bringing ideas for the presentation. We just have to be on track at all times.

I start term time work next week Tuesday. This is the case for me... I work one Tuesday and I miss the next Tuesday. Only twice a month. I would say that this is ideal for me because of the workload from uni studies coming up. The Tuesday that I am free, I have made commitments to go into uni and work my socks off. Please say that I stick to that valuable commitment.

I wasn’t working this week and I have missed to say my final goodbyes to two of my colleagues who left this week. Nikki and Summi. Nice people. I have learnt a lot from them in terms of work and other stuff too (they know what I am talking about). Thank you. It has been a pleasure working with you both and all I can say is that I wish you all the very best in life.

That is it for now. Got a lot of work to do.

Thanks for reading everyone.

Uni Uni Uni

The Greenwich campus looked different and confused many newbies to get around the area. There were people setting up for a film shoot - the bad thing is that I do not know what film it is. Feel free to check out the place.

I went for my returners' induction session on Thursday. It didn't feel weird being back there because I was working there remember... in the same location for the Clearing period (Nine weeks in total). It was a 12pm start, which was a bonus for me because I had the opportunity to wake up late. When I got there in time... everybody I know who I haven't seen in time looked very different (you know what I mean). The session was a lecture based on what to expect really in our final year etc. Our course leader talked about degree classifications and explained other key information too. Let's be honest because the session was dry throughout. Our course leader tried introducing some jokes but they seriously weren't funny.

They only booked a small lecture room and it was packed out... WHY? Anyways, we luckily managed to get ourselves the back row seats (My mates just love the back rows). My mates find nearly everything amusing. There was a guy who sat in front of us, accidently banged his head against our row table. I did not notice anything at the time because I was LISTENING to the presentation. Even though my mate was sitting next to me, I was notified by text. Sad. Other things happened in that lecture theatre that kept them entertained too (Do not want to mention).

I have been busy this week sorting out a lot of stuff for university and others too. I had like three full days off so I had to make an effort. I just could not believe the amount of unnecessary paper stacked up in NEAT piles. All of it sent to the recycling bag. There is more to go... better get cracking on.

It has been eight weeks since I got my car. Just love my car!!! It is running smoothly so far. Just the way I like it. I was so in the mood to give my car its first ever wash because it needed some exterior cleaning - trust me... my interior is so clean. It was hard work throughout but I was in no mood to complain. It was just me cleaning the car. My parents said before hand... "It is your car and it is your responsibility... just DON'T CRASH IT". Fair enough.

That is it for now. Enjoy your week ahead.

Thanks for reading as always.

Friday madness!

Hardly any buses were running on time (A lot of delays we experienced) this was due to the A2 being partly closed off (I think). We (3 of us) waited and waited for about 30 odd minutes for our bus, we all decided and we walked it from the Avery Hill campus to Woolwich road... yes it is the truth. That took about 2 hours... LOL - it was missions to say the least. I had to be in Cutty Sark because of my mate. He was waiting for me there, as we had to do something important afterwards. He could not stop laughing at me because of the journey I had to take.

Thanks Raz and Sumz. Without the two of you, I would have been totally hopeless... honestly.

When I finally managed to get home, my legs were not that bad to start with. Then after a few moments the pain!!! - It felt as if my legs doubled in size... wasn't nice to be honest. I do not want to go through that again... and I mean it. On the plus side... slept peacefully throughout :D.

Uni is starting very soon for us all continuing students as well as the newbies!!! Next week I got my 3rd year induction session on Thursday. The official teaching period will begin from Monday the 27th. I have to be open with you all... I am not looking forward to it (My 3rd year!). I will have to make sacrifices throughout that coming year in order to survive the ordeal, which is going to hit me so badly. I am so sure of it.

The popularity of Accounting and Finance at the University of Greenwich is really showing (BIG UP!). The calls I have had at work regarding the course is on the high. The course has so many options for you, so take advantage. It is not just maths - it has everything. It is challenging but certainly not boring... believe me. Employment routes are open for you once you graduate. You can hunt for employment in the public sector, not for profit making organisations and in public/private firms of certified or chartered accountants. Go for it!

Due to working full time for quite some time now, I have lost track of many things (do not want to go into detail). I will be working only two days next week and the two days I have off (minus the induction day) hopefully will enable me to sort everything out. It just has to be done.

Another work colleague... Davinder left us this Friday :-( All I can say is good luck in everything you do.

A lot of new students will be present in our campuses next week (I still remember my first year induction).

Enjoy your coming week people.

Emotional times

My blog boss, Richard has left us so that he can take on the PGCE programme in order to become a secondary school teacher. I want to say thank you Rich for your hard work, which you have put into this blog project and everything you have done for me. Remember that it was YOU, Jess and Sam who convinced me to take part in this. Thanks once again and all the best. So who is my new blog boss? Make way for... UZMA!!! You have supported me throughout the time I have been here so far. Just to let you know that it is much appreciated. Thank you as always. You will be an excellent blog boss.

After the success we have had with Clearing this year... we are moving back to our main office in Avery Hill week beginning 13th September (Ahh man... got to get up early now and then there is the consistent morning public transport mayhem!). I have my car now... erm... just waiting for my satnav to be delivered.
We have been in Greenwich for about nine weeks (wow - I cannot realise how fast time has actually gone by). I have enjoyed the time at Greenwich... who wouldn't eh?

Early Clearing was a bit quiet but indeed fun - with my colleagues taking the chance to tease me. To be fair, it is and always be cool with me. I got the chance to get to know them a bit better... they are all lovely people. Quite a few have left us before hand and some missed main Clearing (A Level results day).

Main Clearing was eventful:

1. Met my new team.
2. We (whole clearing team) smashed last year's telephone record by almost 2000 calls (A Level results day).
3. My team took the most amount of calls 4 days running.
4. I won an award for best dressed boy (I hardly win anything). This was presented at the BBQ. I was stitched up for the award!!! It was jokes.
5. And loads more.

I would like to this opportunity to say a massive thank you to my Clearing team this year. Sam (Team leader), Sam B, Sam M, Saziye, Moreen, Emma, Niquel and Habibah. It has been a pleasure knowing and working with you all (Honestly... not making that up). Yes, I have to admit that it was a very different Clearing experience compared to last year. Yet it was enjoyable and I do sincerely hope that I had done my bit as senior Clearing Officer. Hope to see you all again very soon. Take care and good luck in everything you do. I am going to cry... come off it now!!! LOL.

Until next time.