1. How to Make an Impact Lauren Quincey & Nick Pearce

2. The Differences Between University Life & The World of Work

3. Appearance Most of us will remember strolling into lectures with mad hair, the make-up from the night before, wearing jogging bottoms and a UoB hoody. I can recall the time when one of my friends dressed up as a Smurf for a fancy dress party and came into a lecture the following day still wearing the bright blue face paint. All this is borderline acceptable at university. However, in the work environment, you can expect to be shown the door for this type of behaviour. Being smart is pivotal to creating a good first impression. Remember, business attire = professional attitude.

4. Diversity At University, we are often surrounded by people of a similar age to ourselves. However, one of the key differences in the workplace is that the demographic of your colleagues could range from new Graduates, to expectant Mothers to even those close to retirement age. Respecting your elders and those with more experience really comes into play here.

5. Punctuality Slipping through the back door 20 minutes into a lecture is a common occurrence- let’s face it, time management isn’t one of your priorities (unless deadlines are involved!) However, punctuality is key within a working environment. Turning up late is always noticed and in some reoccurring cases, may even be grounds for dismissal.

6. Changing Things Isn’t Easy If you didn’t like a lecturer or seminar tutor, you knew you only had to put up with them for a few months, or you even had the option of just swapping your modules to avoid ever having to see them again. However, trying to dodge a colleague you don’t particularly get on with isn’t as easy. You can’t change your boss but you can always adapt.

7. Social Life Social life? What social life? At University, you plan your days around your friends and the events which fill up your social calendar in the weeks ahead. However, entering the world of work often means that socialising is soon replaced with sleep as a necessity. Lack of sleep often leads to underperformance in your job, meaning you could end up having an awkward conversation with your manager.

8. However… …it’s not all as bad as it seems!

9. Money Christmas day comes more than once a year for Students in the form of our beloved Student Loan! Now the first few weeks are great; you’re ordering plasma TV’s, games consoles and drinking your own body weight in alcohol. As much as these seem like great ideas at the time, the following months are grim and Aldi Noodles become your ‘a la carte’ dining experience. However, this is not the case when you are working. You get a mini student loan day every month! Plus the salary you earn when you leave will definitely be double what your loan was, if not more. So Aldi Noodles will almost quickly become a thing of the past! (*Breathes a sigh on relief*)

10. Lifestyle What comes with more money? A better lifestyle, of course! Instead of being completely restricted by how much you can spend on clothes, holidays and nights out because your student loan has disappeared before you could even blink, you will have more flexibility to do what you really want to do- whether that’s dining at a posh restaurant, purchasing more expensive brands of clothing or booking a 5* getaway.

11. Independence Moving to University is a shock to the system when you suddenly realise that cooking, washing and ironing doesn’t do itself. However, the independence you get when working is of a different kind. Your future is no longer dictated by compulsory modules or examination results. Instead, it’s in your own hands and your career is shaped entirely by your own actions. This can be daunting but it also opens up a world of endless opportunities and possibilities!

12. So… …you finally have your first job and you’re feeling on top of the world. How can you make the most out of this opportunity?

13. Preparation Your placement Preparation is key just like doing a plan before an essay. In order to be as efficient as possible you need to set your objectives and do as much research as possible. Setting your goals What are your short, medium and long term goals for this? What do you want to get out of it? Research the company How many employees? How many divisions? Learn the story of the company. How/ why did they start? What are their core values? What are their plans for the future? What press have they had?

14. Preparation Research the industry Who would be their main competitors? How is the industry perceived from the outside? Where is that company placed in the industry? Research the job What are all of the key responsibilities for the role? What are you expected to do? Other then the responsibilities stated on a job specification are there other things that you are expected to do? How can you add to the role? Know the basics How do I get there? How long does it take? What is the cost of travel? What are your working hours? Are allocated a number of sick days? What is your holiday entitlement?

15. Behaviour/ Communication Showing up to work awake! Nothing is worse than showing up to the job tired as it kills productivity. It is important to show your employer that you are full of energy, eager and ready to go.

16. Behaviour/ Communication Oversharing In the first couple of weeks, it is best to get to know the culture of the business and the personalities of your colleagues to understand what student stories you can share and what you probably shouldn’t mention. Being open is great, but sometimes you can share too much too soon!

17. Behaviour/ Communication Manners Your new colleagues will often invest large amounts of time into your training and development and also ensuring you are settled and happy with everything. Remember to show your appreciation for their time, and don’t forget the little things like ‘please’ and ‘thank you.’

18. Behaviour/ Communication Positivity Offices can vary from 10 people to 100 in size. However, if someone is negative it can have a bad affect on everyone. Complaining about your journey into work or how long your to-do list is can be toxic. Being positive creates a good impression and also a pleasant aura around you which can then be passed on to colleagues.

19. Behaviour/ Communication Enthusiasm Just like negativity, enthusiasm is as equally as contagious. However, unlike negativity, this type of behaviour is worth accentuating! Nothing is better in an office environment than having a new positive dynamic to help remind employees why they are there!

20. Behaviour/ Communication Networking/ getting involved You are there to do a job but you are also there to grow and develop both as a person and as an employee. Networking is key within an organisation as it can open your eyes to things you may not have necessarily thought about before. Learning what other divisions do will not only enable you to gain a better understanding of the company but it will also open your eyes to the other routes and careers paths you can take!

21. Final Word This may only be an internship, but see it as your probation period. There could be a permanent opportunity for you!