Wednesday 23 rd March 2016 By Andrew O’Donnell Wednesday 23 rd March 2016 By Andrew O’Donnell

My Journey to Project SEARCH  I applied for Project SEARCH in 2014  I didn’t get onto the course as it was felt I didn’t have enough work experience  In order to gain more experience I took part in the Employability Skills course  I did work experience with the BBC, Spruce Carpets and SemiChem  I reapplied to Project SEARCH and I got in  I applied for Project SEARCH in 2014  I didn’t get onto the course as it was felt I didn’t have enough work experience  In order to gain more experience I took part in the Employability Skills course  I did work experience with the BBC, Spruce Carpets and SemiChem  I reapplied to Project SEARCH and I got in

My experience of Project SEARCH  The Rotations I have been in with Project SEARCH and the University of Strathclyde are:  Administrative Assistant within the Education Department  Mail/Security Warden  The Rotations I have been in with Project SEARCH and the University of Strathclyde are:  Administrative Assistant within the Education Department  Mail/Security Warden

Highs/Lows Highs  Being a part of a team environment  Communicating with my colleague effectively  Doing what is asked of me with work I have been given  Getting out and about, liaising with different departments  Participating in fire evacuations Highs  Being a part of a team environment  Communicating with my colleague effectively  Doing what is asked of me with work I have been given  Getting out and about, liaising with different departments  Participating in fire evacuations Lows  Sitting with nothing to do once the work was done and my colleagues were busy with own work. However, I am now using this time to do Job Searching to keep myself busy.

Classroom Work – Before and After Rotation  Some of the things we go over in class are:  University Values: Ambitious, Innovative, Collaborative, People-Oriented, Bold  Update Personal Profiles – all 3 Rotations  Update Logbooks – Rotations and Job Search Logbook  Weekly Team Meeting every Thursday  Employer Visits – Hilton, Waitrose, University of Strathclyde Employers, Chamber of Commerce  Completing a weekly diary of what has been done every day in Rotation  Completing First Aid certificate with Safe Cert  Apply for jobs  Some of the things we go over in class are:  University Values: Ambitious, Innovative, Collaborative, People-Oriented, Bold  Update Personal Profiles – all 3 Rotations  Update Logbooks – Rotations and Job Search Logbook  Weekly Team Meeting every Thursday  Employer Visits – Hilton, Waitrose, University of Strathclyde Employers, Chamber of Commerce  Completing a weekly diary of what has been done every day in Rotation  Completing First Aid certificate with Safe Cert  Apply for jobs

What support has been available to me?  Buddies, Managers and Supervisors in Rotations  Job Coach will attend interview to offer support  Instructor will help with classroom-based work if unsure or stuck  I have worked with other members of staff when my buddy has been on holiday  Parents offer to help with applications at home  Support from employers with mock interview practice  Buddies, Managers and Supervisors in Rotations  Job Coach will attend interview to offer support  Instructor will help with classroom-based work if unsure or stuck  I have worked with other members of staff when my buddy has been on holiday  Parents offer to help with applications at home  Support from employers with mock interview practice

Where do I go from here?  Job Applications – I had applied for 2 jobs – one as an Administrative Assistant with McGinness Associates in Glasgow and also, a Business Support Assistant with Queens Cross Housing Association in Maryhill, Glasgow  Interviews – I had an interview for a position as a Business Support Assistant with Queens Cross Housing Association earlier on today.  I now know what I would like to work as, which is an Administrative Assistant in an office- based environment.  Job Applications – I had applied for 2 jobs – one as an Administrative Assistant with McGinness Associates in Glasgow and also, a Business Support Assistant with Queens Cross Housing Association in Maryhill, Glasgow  Interviews – I had an interview for a position as a Business Support Assistant with Queens Cross Housing Association earlier on today.  I now know what I would like to work as, which is an Administrative Assistant in an office- based environment.

Would I recommend Project SEARCH?  YES!  Meet new people on the course and throughout the University  Experience 3 work rotations in different sectors – have to work hard  Support with job applications and interviews - again have to work hard  YES!  Meet new people on the course and throughout the University  Experience 3 work rotations in different sectors – have to work hard  Support with job applications and interviews - again have to work hard