Checklists!
Take no prisoners!
Your application must have the same impact on the Admissions Officer as a boxer's KNOCKOUT punch!
Groundwork...
For every profession, the following are nigh essential...
- Relevant Work Experience: esp if voluntary and varied, as this shows interest, dedication and selflessness
- Sport: whether team orientated allowing leadership opportunities or individual showing determination
- Drama/ Music: the true team games where your role, whether as star or backstage (lighting, set design, costume, make-up, programme, front of house), is always pleasingly impressive
- Extracurricular: e.g. Young Enterprise, CCF, CSV, Duke of Edinburgh, House events, Debating and Mentoring where you can develop communication, instruction, leadership and teamwork skills and prove commitment
- Involvement in community projects: help with your temple or church/ youth group or help in an OAP home or on a PHAB holiday would make an employer step back and be impressed
- Public Speaking: Involvement in an assembly often proves speaking to over 100 people
- Further qualifications: CREST awards, the Maths Olympiad, the Physics Paperclip Challenge, the Engineering Education Scheme, Life-saving and First Aid awards all offer proof of academic and practical skills above and beyond your public examination grades, giving you the edge
- Taster Courses: Find out first-hand about careers and unis- many of these are free or cheap and they prove interest
- And how many schools can offer the opportunities the Weather Station does?
Click here for specific profession-related 'How Tos' (listing up to 5 ways to stay ahead), a section currently being developed!
- In the meantime, are you scanning the trade magazines, newspaper supplements and websites most relevant to your chosen field? If you're not, someone else, a competitor, will be!