AimHigher Magazine 2021

GET
VOL. 2
AHEAD
APPRENTICESHIPS P. 06 CAREERS SPOTLIGHT P. 08 Q&A P.10
FEB 2021
GETTING
MOTIVATED
TIPS ON CREATING
GOALS & FINDING
YOUR MOTIVATION
WITH WESLEY P.04
STUDYING
LANGUAGES
TOP 10
REASONS
WHY YOU
SHOULD
P.12
LOCAL DRAMA
PRACTITIONER
FINDING YOUR PASSION
& EXPLORING
DRAMA P.14
GRADUATE
SPOTLIGHT
P.16

Note from
the Editors
A lot has happened since the last edition of
our magazine. With school closures and
constant changes in government guidelines,
we understand the difficulties young people
are still facing. Aimhigher want you to know
that we are still here to support you.
This edition will look at staying motivated,
support for students at university and a
variety of career paths. There are lots of
opportunities to get in touch with us
throughout this magazine and we can’t
wait to hear from you!
If there are specific ways we can support you,
we encourage your teachers and parents and
carers to get in touch to let us know. At the
time of writing this (February 2021),
our team are working from home and
supporting learners online. We are flexible
and can adapt to meet your needs.
We are available to answer any questions or
concerns about careers, education and your
future via our website. Contact our amazing
team of mentors today!
Take care everyone and stay safe,
Aimhigher Team
PS - why not tweet us
@AimhigherWM with
articles you’d like to see
in our next edition?
Contents
GETTING MOTIVATED AND CREATING GOALS 04
DEGREE APPRENTICESHIPS 06
CAREERS SPOTLIGHT ON BROADCAST JOURNALISM 08
CAREERS IN HISTORY 09
Q&A 10
STUDENT SUPPORT AT UNIVERSITY 11
STUDYING LANGUAGES 12
LOCAL DRAMA PRACTITIONER JESS HAKIN 14
DRAMA GRADUATE FACT FILE 15
GRADUATE SPOTLIGHT 16
DYSLEXIA DIAGNOSIS 18
CRAZY COURSES 19
2

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Stay connected and see what
we’re up to on our social
media platforms.
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We recently
launched our
brand new website!
Check it out at aimhigherwm.ac.uk and chat to us online,
browse our resources or simply have a look around. We have a wide range
of information and guidance for students, parents, carers,
teachers and advisers.
3

GETTING MOTIVATED
AND
CREATING GOALS
WITH AIMHIGHER PLUS PROGRESSION AMBASSADOR, WESLEY
CREATING GOALS
4
Our motivation may be built through
the support of others such as a family
member or friend, but you can also
create your own motivation. You can
be self-motivated to pursue your
aims for your life each day, setting
the foundation for you to progress
towards your goals. However,
motivation is like the weather and
it changes as your circumstances
change. Seeing motivation as a
growing and changeable part of your
life will help.
When making a goal, consider realistic short-term and long-term
goals. A short-term goal might be: I want to revise for my maths
exam after school today. Being specific also helps, deciding
how long you will revise for and how you will avoid distraction.
A long-term goal may look like: I want to study Art at university.
Although these goals may feel far away, they can help you make
steps in the here and now towards that goal. You may even be
inspired to create a goal based on a challenging situation you’ve
experienced. In year 9-10, I didn’t do well in my exams, so at the
beginning of year 11 I made the goals to ask for help and revise
more to motivate myself. If you pinpoint something that you find
challenging, you can recognise where a goal might be helpful to
overcome this.
FINDING YOUR
MOTIVATION TO SET
GOALS
PICTURING THE
FUTURE
My best advice for imagining where you will be in the future is to
work backwards. Kick start your imagination and picture where
you want to be when you are older, on paper or in a monologue
or poem (if you are like me and have a passion for drama). When
working backwards, it’s easier to understand which goals will
support you and help you reach your destination. For example, if
you want to go to university, you will need to consider: What are
the entry requirements needed for a certain course? Are there
any open days I can go to? Do I need to gain work experience? By
approaching your future aims in this way, you can set effective
short-term goals with your final long-term goal in mind.

THERE ARE SEVERAL TECHNIQUES YOU CAN
USE TO SET GOALS; THE PURPOSE OF THIS
ARTICLE IS NOT TO GIVE YOU A ‘ONE SIZE
FITS ALL’ APPROACH.
STEP 1: ACCEPT
At this first stage, you accept and recognise what your present
situation is. Where are you now in your journey? What would you
like to achieve in the short term or in the long term?
STEP 2: REFLECT
This second stage is about reflecting on your past and what has
not gone quite right, as well as what has gone well! Identifying
your strengths and weaknesses in your education can help you set
realistic goals which will help to improve your overall chances of
meeting your aims.
STEP 3: CONNECT
This step is when you get active. Start to plan out, by working
backwards, the steps you need to take to reach that end goal. For
example, if you need to write an essay, your final goal could be to
complete and hand in your essay. This means if you work backwards
you may need to: plan the essay, do research, create a first draft, ask
for feedback, proofread the work, and finally hand in the essay.
STEP 4: ACT
Finally, this is when you take action to begin your first short-term
goal. It may be as simple as creating a work-space or revising a topic.
If you see your learning as an action you are taking towards your
goal, you will stay motivated and be well on your way to reaching
your goal.
PUTTING YOUR GOALS
OVERCOMING
STRUGGLES
When something feels like it is going ‘wrong’, try to reframe
your attitude towards it. It takes hard work and discipline to
stay on track to achieve your goals, so remember that finding
things difficult is normal. If you can see something which you
find tricky as a challenge and an opportunity to improve, you
are already half way to overcoming it.
ONE FINAL TIP
INTOACTION
As a student, I lost my motivation several times, but I managed
to find it again. In this last tip I want to tell you something I
never knew during those times: if you do lose motivation, it’s
okay. Taking breaks and time out to do other things is just as
important as working hard. Always remember your wellbeing
comes first, even when you want to fulfil your dreams.
5

Degree
Apprenticeships
with PwC
For many years, most young people
leaving school had two options - go
to university or start their career.
But times have changed, and there
are now many more routes enabling
school and college leavers to
combine the best of both routes
with further academic study and
high quality work experience.
As a leading professional services
organisation, PwC offers many
opportunities to school and college
leavers, one of which being their
Flying Start Technology Degree
Apprenticeship Programme in
Birmingham (as well as others
around the UK). Students on this
Degree Apprenticeship study
towards a full BSc degree in
6
Computer Science. The degree is
fully funded which means that
students don’t need to pay
tuition fees and as a PwC apprentice
from day one, they’re paid a salary
throughout the degree programme.
The University of Birmingham is
one of PwC’s partner universities for
this Degree Apprenticeship, and
together, they’re tackling the digital
skills gap and providing access to
young people from diverse
backgrounds to careers in
technology as well as high-quality
academic tuition. PwC is
proactively attracting and
supporting students from more
diverse backgrounds.
Safiyah, one of PwC’s
Technology Degree
Apprentices, attended school
in the West Midlands and
here she shares more
about her experience as a
Degree Apprentice:
Hi, Safiyah! Can you tell us a
bit more about your Degree
Apprenticeship with PwC and
the University of Birmingham?
I’m currently studying for a BSc in
Computer Science with Digital Technology
at the University of Birmingham. This is a
Degree Apprenticeship with PwC, and is
a bespoke programme which provides me
with the opportunity to study a fully funded
degree in Computer Science and undertake
three placements within PwC’s technology
teams. I earn a salary throughout and,
all being well with my exam results and
placements, have a guaranteed job offer
after completing the degree.

Did you know?
Degree apprenticeships are
a new type of programme
offered by some universities.
Students can achieve a full
bachelor's or master's degree
as part of their apprenticeship.
Find out more on UCAS.com
During university, we’re taught the principles
of algorithms, artificial intelligence, software
engineering, maths, functional programming
and much more.
We’re then able to use the skills and knowledge
gained from the degree and apply it to our
work on projects during the summer placement
and the third year in industry.
“I found that The key
components of Computer
Science are taught in the
first year... so you're not
disadvantaged by not
having the background
knowledge"
Did you always know that you
wanted to go to university or do
an apprenticeship?
While at school I was conflicted between going
to university or undertaking an apprenticeship.
I understood the value of a degree for my
career, but I also wanted to earn a salary
whilst I was studying. I also wanted to gain
experience of working in industry and apply
the knowledge I was learning to a real job.
Then I discovered this Degree Apprenticeship,
which has the perfect combination of both
work and study.
What are your favourite aspects of
this programme?
I’ve really enjoyed my placements in PwC’s
technology teams and working on a range
of real client projects. On placement, I’ve
experienced how it feels to work in industry
and have benefitted from lots of training on
different software such as Alteryx, PowerBI and
Tableau. It’s been really interesting.
Also, I like the structure of the programme
as it enables me to study at university during
term time and work at PwC’s offices during
the summer holidays and the third year of the
degree. This balance allows me to spread out
my workload, focus on my studies during the
academic term and fully get stuck into working
life in the holidays.
Have you had to overcome any
obstacles or challenges during your
degree apprenticeship, and how did
you do that?
As a female who comes from a less advantaged
background and attended an underrepresented
school, I faced many barriers. Initially, I
was worried about applying to the Degree
Apprenticeship programme as I thought I’d feel
out of place enrolling on a predominantly
male-dominated STEM course. As well as this,
I knew how competitive the course was and
this made me question whether I’d be offered a
place as I was competing against students who
attended independent or grammar schools. I
also lacked interview experience and thought
I’d struggle with answering the questions and
trying to get my views across during the group
assessment. I managed to overcome these fears
as I learnt that PwC were working hard to
promote their inclusive culture to encourage
more women to pursue a career in technology.
This gave me the confidence and reassurance
that I’d have the right support available to
make sure I felt comfortable if I joined the
organisation.
As I didn’t study Computer Science at A-Level,
I thought I might be at a slight disadvantage
when attending university by lacking the
background knowledge. However, after
researching the course more, I found that
the key components of Computer Science
are taught in the first year to ensure students
have a good foundation in topics such as
the principles of algorithms, AI and software
engineering from the start.
What advice would you give to students
at school or college, who are thinking
about their next steps?
If you’re interested in Computer Science, I’d
definitely encourage you to look into the
Degree Apprenticeship and see if it’s something
that appeals to you. Having the opportunity to
gain a degree which is fully funded, experience
working in industry with a top employer, gain
a salary, and have a guaranteed job offer once
you finish university (if you get a 2.1 and
pass your placements) will put you in a great
position when starting your career. You’ll have
a broad range of extensive experience and an
idea of what area you’re interested in. This,
coupled with PwC’s ongoing support, will be
the perfect combination to help you kick start
your professional career.
“I also wanted to gain
experience of working in
industry and apply the
knowledge I was learning
to a real job”
If you or someone you know is interested
in pursuing a career in technology with an
inclusive and leading employer, whilst also
progressing academically, then be sure to
research this programme further on PwC’s
website or YouTube channel.
pwc.co.uk/flying-start
pwc.co.uk/careers/youtube
7

Broadcast journalism is an exciting,
creative and diverse career. Broadcast
journalists work for radio stations,
television companies, digital networks
and online publications producing
news stories. They develop creative
ideas, conduct research, write scripts
and present live in studios or on
location.
Multimedia growth in recent years
means there are opportunities to
work in broadcast journalism across
the UK. There are a variety of routes
to journalism, from university to
apprenticeships and talent schemes.
Companies such as the BBC, Channel
4 and The Guardian run schemes
each year to support young people in
launching their career in broadcast
journalism.
Broadcast journalists are responsible
for creating most of the factual
stories we see in our everyday lives.
From the daily news and weather to
historical documentaries and true
crime podcasts, broadcast journalists
are constantly innovating to find fresh
and engaging ways to present factual
information to the public.
WORDS
SPOTLIGHT ON
BROADCAST
JOURNALISM
FROM
JACK
8
Job roles in
Broadcast Journalism:
• Editor
• Reporter
• Presenter
• News Anchor
• Producer
• Correspondent
Broadcast Journalists may
choose to specialise in an
area such as:
• Travel
• Politics
• Fashion
• Sport
• Economics
• Health
• Entertainment
• Weather
Jack is a Journalism
graduate and former Sports
Commentator for BBC
Worcester and Hereford
In 2012, I decided to study a university
course in Journalism at the University of
Worcester. During my three-year degree, I
experienced some brilliant opportunities
that I wasn’t expecting; one highlight in
particular was interviewing World Cup
winning rugby player, Jason Robinson.
While studying, I developed my skills
further by working for BBC Hereford and
Worcester, covering football commentary
on the weekend for Worcester City.
This is something that has really stood
out on my CV, working for such a big
name at a young age.
I am now about to take on my
third managerial role since leaving
University with a degree in Journalism
in 2015, working for Citizens Advice
as a Social Prescribing Manager. My
career may have changed pathway,
but I certainly owe the skills I learned
and developed at university for my
career progression.

/ /
Careers
InHistory
Interested in studying History after school,
college or sixth form but not sure what jobs it
could lead to?
Shannen is an Aimhigher Plus Progression
Ambassador who studied History at university.
She gives us an insight into her experiences
studying History and the range of careers
available to humanities graduates.
Deciding what to study at university
was a hard choice. I didn’t have a
specific career in mind for the future
but knew I wanted to go to university.
I chose to study History because it was
my favourite subject at school and
college, and I knew it would provide
a variety of career options to choose
from.
In my final year of my degree I had a
few career options in mind: teaching,
social work, marketing, research, but
then an opportunity came up to work
with Aimhigher Plus. I had previously
worked with the Aimhigher Plus
team at my university as a student
ambassador and therefore had the
experience and knowledge that
enabled me to successfully get the
Aimhigher Progression Ambassador
position.
Studying History gave me many
transferrable skills that I use in my
current role such as verbal and written
communication, team-work, problemsolving
and critical reasoning. It
also provided me with the academic
research and writing skills to progress
onto studying a Master’s Degree in
Education.
History can lead to further study and
careers in History-related fields such
as heritage (museums), librarianship,
archives and archaeology. The West
Midlands is steeped in History and
there are many heritage sites that
offer job opportunities for History
graduates such as The Black Country
Museum, The Coffin Works, Warwick
Castle, Cadbury World and The Library
of Birmingham.
History graduates also have highly
valuable skills and knowledge to work
in a variety of other areas such as law,
media, education, research, business,
finance, politics and more!
Examples of jobs History
graduates can do:
• Academic Researcher
• Museum Curator
• Civil Servant
• Marketing Executive
• Editorial Assistant
• Teacher or Lecturer
• Policy Officer
• Copywriter
• Librarian
• Solicitor
To get a better
understanding of these jobs,
and other graduate careers,
go to www.prospects.ac.uk
and explore their huge range
of career profiles.
Did you know? Many Presidents and Prime
Ministers studied History including Winston
Churchill, George Bush, John F. Kennedy, Gordon
Brown and current President Joe Biden.
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Famous History Graduates
LOUIS THEROUX
JOB TITLE: FILMMAKER & BROADCASTER
DEGREE: HISTORY
KATE WILLIAMS
JOB TITLE: BRITISH HISTORIAN &
TV PRESENTER
DEGREE: PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT WITH HISTORY
ELLEN BARKIN
JOB TITLE: ACTRESS
DEGREE: HISTORY & DRAMA
9

• If you're self-employed, you’ll make
repayments at the same time as you
pay tax through self-assessment.
• If you move overseas, you’ll repay
directly to the Student Loans
Company, instead of having it taken
automatically from your pay. The
repayment threshold could be
different from the UK, which means
the amount you repay could be
different.
What are the most
important things to
consider when choosing a
university course?
It can be difficult to make decisions about your future,
so we’re here to answer any burning questions you
might have about higher education and your future
career.
If you have something else you’d like to ask us, go to
aimhigherwm.ac.uk/ask to ask us anything!
What are my accommodation
options at university?
Ultimately, there are two options when it
comes to where you will live at university,
if you choose to move away from home.
There is university owned or privately
owned accommodation.
University owned accommodation is
usually halls of residence (or ‘halls’), which
are usually a block of flats but can also
be a house in some cases. Halls usually
include everything you need; a fully
furnished bedroom as well as a shared
kitchen and bathroom facilities (in some
cases, you might have an en-suite). Each
student flat has around 6-8 bedrooms so
you’ll be sharing the kitchen and bathroom
facilities with about 5-7 flat mates, who
are also students at your university. Bills
tend to be included with your rent. Private
accommodation can either be a room in
a flat/house or privately run halls (which
is very similar to university halls) run by a
landlord or agency. Depending on which
option you pick, you will either pay rent in
termly or monthly instalments. Bills may
be included or can be separate. Make sure
you do your research and pick what works
best for you!
I’m worried I can’t afford
to go to university. When
would I have to start paying
back my student loan?
You won’t start paying back your student
loan until you earn over a certain amount
after you have left university, no matter
how much you originally borrowed while
studying. Once you leave your course,
you’ll only repay when your income is
above the repayment threshold. The
current UK threshold is £26,575 a year,
£2,214 a month, or £511 a week. You’ll
repay 9% of your income above the
repayment threshold – if you earn less
than £26,575, you won’t pay anything. Any
outstanding loan balance will be cancelled
30 years after you’re due to start repaying
– even if you haven't repaid any of it. For
example, if you were earning £27,000 a
year, you would pay £3 a month towards
your student loan.
How you'll repay depends on what you
choose to do after your course:
• If you start work, your employer will
automatically deduct 9% of your
income if your salary meets the
repayment threshold, along with tax
and National Insurance.
Choosing the right course is a big decision
and one that can be quite tricky as there
are so many to choose from! However
something that may put your mind at ease
is that when surveyed, 80% of employers
aren’t concerned what your degree is in,
they just care that you have one! So unless
you are looking into a career where a
specific degree is required (e.g. a doctor,
dentist, architect) our best advice is simply
to do something that you enjoy. Go to
subject taster events hosted by universities
or look online for lectures related to certain
subjects to make sure that it is something
you find interesting. Also remember that
you can do a degree in something that you
have never studied before in school, just
make sure you research the course first.
Is there support for people
with mental health issues?
Universities have a variety of support for
all the issues a young person might face
while at university, including mental health
support. They understand that mental
health is of paramount importance and
therefore each university will have schemes
to support you.
There is support which can help you with
your studies, including peer mentoring
schemes and academic mentors to
help reduce academic pressure. In
addition, there is wellbeing support
such as mindfulness workshops, support
groups or 1-to-1 counselling, as well as
accommodation wardens who can help you
with any living issues. Each university will
have different facilities and will signpost
information on their university specific
support for mental health issues. Some
universities even have specialist student
medical centres, where students can sign
up to the service they need.
10

STUDENT
SUPPORT
AT UNIVERSITY
Wondering what support is available at university?
Here we have a Q&A chatting to student support staff to find out.
Will there be support
available for written
assignments?
Many universities have dedicated academic
support advisers to help you reach your full
potential. They are there to help identify
a variety of resources available to you as
a student and help you transform your
writing from A-level standard to university
standard. They also run regular workshops
and 1-to-1 appointments to help you with
your academic writing, improve your
assignment grades and provide advice on
study skills.
If I have multiple lecturers,
who do I go to if I have
concerns related to my
course?
When you start your course, you’ll be
assigned someone likely known as
a Personal Tutor who will usually be
supporting you throughout your whole
course. Their role is to help you review your
academic progress, consider your goals
and expectations and help you resolve any
concerns you might have. You can also
talk to them about any personal issues or
to discuss how to improve your university
journey.
What if I don’t feel
comfortable approaching a
lecturer about an issue?
Universities often have course
representatives which are students
who have been elected by their peers
to represent the academic views and
concerns of the students studying the
course. This allows students access to
someone who is approachable and to give
feedback to their tutors anonymously.
I struggle to study
effectively and I don’t own
a laptop. Can the library
offer any support?
Library support is not limited to finding
specific physical texts or sources. They
are there to help you book study rooms,
provide guidance on referencing and
plagiarism and to offer resources on study
tips. Many library services have clusters
of computers on campus and some have
laptop borrowing schemes to ensure you
are able to complete assignments on time.
I need to find a job whilst
I study but I have no idea
where to start. Who can I
go to about this concern?
Universities have career services which
can be accessed by current students
and sometimes by graduates. A range
of professional staff provide advice on
sourcing part-time jobs, work experience
placements and volunteering so students
are equipped with the right skills for their
future career. The careers team can help
you perfect your CV, prepare for interviews
or assessment centres and much more!
11

T OP
10 REASONS
Why you should study languages
I’m Lauren and I am a Language with International Business graduate. I’m going
to give you an insight into my journey as a language student and tell you about
the benefits and opportunities that studying languages can offer!
1. LEARNING LANGUAGES
IS FUN
Choosing my GCSE subjects at the age of
14 was the first time I considered studying
a language at a higher level. As someone
with dyslexia and dyspraxia, the process
of learning a language was not something
that came naturally to me and languages
proved to be my most challenging subjects.
However, following the mantra of “do
what you enjoy,” French and German were
easy choices for me. Not only were my
language lessons always incredibly varied
(it is almost impossible to learn a language
solely from a book!), but the prospect of
being able to speak another language
seemed fascinating and exciting to me.
Whilst studying German I had the
opportunity to participate in a German
exchange programme; an incredible
experience that enabled me to make
friends with people from a different
country that I still connect with today.
I continued French throughout A-level and
went on to study a degree in French and
German with International Business at
Sheffield Hallam University. Assignments
would often involve attending social
events at pubs or restaurants to speak
with exchange students and class sizes
were always small which allowed for more
personal teaching.
2. YOU LEARN TO ADAPT
My course required me to spend 18 months
abroad and before I knew it, I was off to
study for a semester at the Berlin School
of Economics and Law, an international
university on the West side of Berlin.
Moving to a new country and being
pushed outside of your comfort zone is
undoubtedly a daunting experience and
for the first few weeks of living in Berlin, I
began to realise how different the German
culture was to my own. The new travel
system was confusing; traffic ran the
opposite way and there was no green man
to tell you it was safe to cross the huge
wide roads; the motorway had no speed
limit and I had to pay a deposit for my
drink packaging at the supermarket which
I would have to later return (a system they
called ‘pfand’). I quickly had to adapt to
this new way of life and I became more
open-minded.
3. YOU APPRECIATE
DIFFERENT CULTURES
Eventually, I became immersed in a new
culture without even realising. I began
to notice how much my German had
improved and with it, my confidence. I no
longer panicked when asking for directions
or when cashiers asked me if I wanted a
bag. I understood the advantages of pfand,
an effective recycling system that offered
homeless people a way to earn money by
collecting litter which in turn kept the city
green and spotless. I soon appreciated
Berlin for the beautiful and vibrant city
it is, with a rich History and flamboyant
festivals.
12

4. YOU BECOME
INDEPENDENT
After my semester in Berlin ended, I spent
the next 12 months working as an intern
at IPAG University in Paris. After living in
Germany, moving to France seemed a little
less daunting as I knew I could adapt to
new cultures. I began to enjoy the relaxed
and sophisticated way of French life and
learnt that nobody actually wore berets or
garlic around their neck, but they really did
eat snails! I now embraced the situations
I once found scary which was amazing for
developing my independence.
5. YOU HAVE THE
OPPORTUNITY TO TRAVEL
During my time working at IPAG Business
School, I had the opportunity to spend a
week in Morocco to work with Moroccan
high school students. Experiencing their
food, culture and seeing their beautiful
country whilst quad biking through a red
skied desert, was an incredible experience
that I will never forget.
6. YOU LEARN ABOUT
YOURSELF
Living a year in another country gives you
an experience which you can’t get as a
tourist. Immersing yourself in different
cultures allows you to see life from new
perspectives and you learn about your own
values and passions in life.
7. YOU GET TO MEET
NEW PEOPLE
New places mean new people! It has
been great making friends from different
countries, and it always helps to appreciate
a city when you can experience it with
the locals (side note: having friends
from around the world is great for cheap
holidays).
8. YOU CAN’T RELY ON
SPEAKING ENGLISH
EVERYWHERE
Growing up in England and being told
that English is the primary international
language, it felt safe to assume that being
multilingual was not essential. However,
my time abroad made me realise that
this isn’t the case: 75% of the world’s
population are unable to speak in English.
Being able to speak someone else’s first
language creates a deeper understanding.
Not every word or phrase has a direct
translation as each language has its
own idioms and expressions which are
fascinating to learn. It doesn’t matter if
you’re wrong; trying to speak in another’s
language is a sign of respect and people
will appreciate the effort.
9. YOU DEVELOP
TRANSFERABLE SKILLS
& CONFIDENCE
Upon return to my final year of university
in England, I was a new person. The skills
that came from studying languages had
given me a set of skills for life. Before
moving abroad, I was easily overwhelmed
when speaking to new people and in
new situations. Now, I am a confident
and resilient individual with strong
communication skills, knowing I can do
anything I put my mind to.
10. JOB OPPORTUNITIES:
“THE WORLD REALLY IS
YOUR OYSTER”
Having the ability to speak a foreign
language opens so many doors, but how?
There are more opportunities available
to you than just being an interpreter or
a translator. Since studying languages,
I have worked within a multitude of
different sectors, such as events and higher
education. Being multilingual shows you
have a valuable skillset and are able to
communicate with a wide range of people.
For international companies or small
companies looking to expand, this is an
essential skill and gives you an advantage
over other candidates.
Brexit may have left you feeling
discouraged to study a language, but don’t
let it! Now more than ever, UK employers
are searching for language speakers to
aid them in working with their European
customers now that they can no longer rely
on employing EU candidates as easily as
they have in the past. This simply means
there will be a surge in job opportunities.
13

SOMETIMES THE
PATH TO YOUR
DREAM JOB
MIGHT NOT BE THE
ONE YOU EXPECT
JESS' JOURNEY
FINDING PASSION FOR THE ARTS IN THE WORLD OF WORK
Name: Jess Hakin
Age: 24
Occupation:
Drama Practitioner +
Performing Artist
Favourite Play:
A Streetcar Named Desire
Hey Jess, tell us about
what you do.
I am part of Open Theatre Company and
work primarily with people with learning
disabilities and autism. I facilitate nonverbal
drama sessions in specialist settings
across Birmingham (and via Zoom), and
support people with additional needs to
lead and take part in creative and theatrical
projects. Alongside this, I am a performing
artist for Spectra Arts – a neurodiverse
theatre company specialising in multisensory,
interactive theatre performances. I
have performed in a number of shows with
Spectra, including touring productions and
community festival performances. Over the
lockdown I have had to adapt and take part
in more digital projects, including short
films and live online performances.
What was your experience
of education like?
I was educated in state schools in
Birmingham, and then took my A-levels
at The Sixth Form College, Solihull. I knew
I wanted to go to university, but found it
difficult to decide on a course. I decided to
study a degree covering my two favourite
subjects: BA English Literature and Theatre
Studies. I chose to study at the University
of Sheffield, as I wanted to experience
living away from home and was drawn to
the north because of family connections.
My experience of student living was great
and I was lucky enough to make some
really good friends who I have stayed in
touch with ever since. Although I still loved
reading and analysing texts, it was the
theatre side of my course that inspired me
most.
What about extra-curricular
activities?
Throughout my time in college and
university, I was a member of Festival
Arts – a Birmingham-based, volunteer
led theatre company who travel to Wales
each summer and put on plays. As well
as spending a number of summers living,
performing and collaborating with the
theatre company, I attended a free weekly
drama group whenever I was back in
Birmingham. It was important to feel part
of a unique community where I was able
to develop skills on all sides of theatre
– whether this was selling tickets, lifting
heavy pieces of set or performing in front
of 350 people. At university, I took part in a
number of shows with the performing arts
and theatre societies which helped a lot
with my confidence (despite having to face
a number of failed audition attempts!)
What was it like making the
transition between education
and the world of work?
After graduating, I was ready to come back
home and explore what Birmingham had
to offer. I didn’t have much luck in finding
theatre opportunities straight away, so I
reluctantly decided to take an admin job
as a ‘stop-gap’ before figuring out what I
really wanted to do. The job was for the
local authority autism team, and ended
up being the reason that I discovered my
enthusiasm for working with people with
autism and learning disabilities. I took as
many free training opportunities as I could,
gathered lots of contacts and made the
most of my time there before taking a leap
into freelance theatre work.
What’s the most challenging
thing about your job?
Finding balance! When you’re freelance, it
can be difficult to maintain stability, which
is why saving money is so important. There
are periods of time where opportunities
are limited, and then suddenly you find
yourself having to turn things down that
you would otherwise have said yes to.
What’s the best thing about
your job?
Having the chance to connect and
collaborate with people with and without
learning disabilities in unusual and
unexpected ways. The children and adults
I work with are full of surprises, and no
matter what mood I’m in, there will always
be at least one moment of pure joy in my
day! I am also incredibly grateful for the
variety that this work offers me – it makes
it easy to stay creatively challenged and
inspired.
14

WESLEY
University: Newman University
Degree: Drama, Theatre and Applied Performance
What I enjoyed most about my degree: The vast amount of
different opportunities offered by this course was what I enjoyed
the most. I explored drama in theatres, education and hospitals; I
was always encouraged by the drama team to keep learning and
trying new things.
REMY
University: University of Worcester
Degree: Drama and Performance
What I enjoyed most about my degree: The creative freedom.
I’ve always enjoyed more unique forms of performance by
pushing the boundaries of traditional theatre. I discovered new
performance styles at university that instantly clicked with me
such as Performance Art, Queer Theatre and Contemporary
Performance Practices.
DRAMA GRADUATE FACT FILE
IZZY
University: The Arden School of Theatre
Degree: Musical Theatre
What I enjoyed most about my degree: How fun and practical
it was. I had classes every day 9-5, even longer on some days, all
filled with singing, dancing and acting. I learnt so much about
the performing arts industry and became a much more confident
person by the end of my degree.
OLIVIA
University: University of Worcester
Degree: Drama and Performance
What I enjoyed most about my degree: The flexibility of my
degree has to be what I enjoyed most. There were no two people
on my course that had the same experience. The flexibility in
module selection meant that everyone chose the path that suited
them best. I left with such a wide range of skills and a diverse
university experience.
Scan the QR code to
chat to us more
about drama now!
15

GRADUATE
SPOTLIGHT
MEDICINE
Phoebe was the first person in her family to go to
university. Here she tells us about her journey to
higher education and studying medicine.
Name:
Phoebe
Occupation:
Junior Doctor
Back to the Start
I first became interested in studying
medicine in secondary school, as I had
always found sciences interesting and the
variety of the role of a doctor appealed to
me from a young age. I found the practical
elements of medical sciences exciting;
having the power to help people in need of
care felt like an important and rewarding
career to pursue.
I knew how competitive medical schools
were so I was reluctant to commit to
applying, however I knew I had an aptitude
for science and chose additional sciences
for my GCSEs. I kept the rest of GCSE
choices fairly broad, choosing subjects I
was good at and enjoyed. While studying
for my GCSEs, my mom became ill and
I was suddenly faced with additional
responsibilities whilst balancing school
work. This was a really hard time; my mom
was in hospital the day I had to pick my
GCSEs so not having her around while
faced with this decision was difficult.
However, this solidified my decision to
pursue medicine as I wanted to be able to
help others in the ways that I couldn’t for
my mom at the time.
After achieving the grades needed for my
chosen A-levels, I went on to study Biology,
Chemistry, Maths and History at college.
I was really excited to start a new chapter
and make new friends, but this didn’t go as
I expected. Right before I started college,
I was diagnosed with a serious medical
16

condition and was admitted to hospital.
I couldn’t start my A-levels like everyone
else, instead I was taking large amounts
of medication with strong side effects and
unable to do simple tasks like washing my
own hair. Missing out on the first two weeks
of term really upset me and I worried I
would fall behind in my studies, but I also
knew I needed to get better. Eventually I
was able to start my A-levels and managed
to catch up with my classmates and make
new friends along the way.
In my first mock A-level exam in Biology
I got an E… I had revised a lot so this left
me feeling deflated. I quickly learnt that
I had to be more organised and revise
throughout my whole two years of college
if I wanted to get the grades needed for
medical school. For medicine applications,
the UCAS deadline is earlier than for other
courses so you have to be prepared and
do your research earlier than your peers.
The sooner you decide which universities
to apply to the better as you also need
to prepare for medical school interviews
alongside your exams, whilst also doing
extracurricular activities to boost your
application. You have to be prepared to put
the work in because there are many others
across the country competing for a place
on the same course as you.
Medical School
When applying for medical school, it’s
important to choose universities which
appeal to you and those you have the best
chance of getting into. Going to open days,
in person or online, is one of the best ways
to see if the university and course is right
for you as you get to see the facilities and
chat to current students. As well as specific
grade requirements, medical schools also
hold interviews for applicants. It’s really
important that you know your personal
statement inside out as this is something
you will be asked about. Knowing the
way in which you can apply your personal
statement to real life situations is essential,
providing examples of when you have
shown your skills. I recommend including
things which will make you stand out as
well. I was a member of a gospel choir
which I was asked about in interviews.
Although this wasn’t related to medicine,
the panel found it interesting and it made
my application more unique.
After gaining a place at the medical
school at the University of Liverpool, I
was ecstatic! As the first in my family to go
to university, I felt incredibly proud that
my hard work had paid off as I achieved
the grade requirements in my A-levels. I
was so excited to start; living in a new city
and studying a degree I was passionate
about. It took me a while to get settled
as university is very different from school
and I didn’t click with the others in my
accommodation at first. Soon enough I
made some great friends on my course and
we became closer by joining societies and
attending social events.
Phoebe chose an elective
placement in Malaysia
while studying.
I quickly saw that there wasn’t just one
type of person who got into medical
school. A lot of consideration is taken into
account to provide equal opportunities
for young people from all sorts of different
backgrounds who want to apply. If you
really want to become a doctor, you have
nothing to lose by going for it. It’s better
to give it your best shot than live your life
wondering what would’ve happened if
you’d just tried, right? Believe in yourself.
The competitiveness of studying medicine
can be challenging. It’s very different
from school as everyone is striving for
the same goal and there are lots of exams
throughout the course, therefore creating
a consistent revision schedule will help.
However, failing an exam isn’t the end of
the world. You can retake and seek support,
so being resilient and willing to try again is
key. Finding balance is also very important!
Working hard and doing things you enjoy
outside of your studies will support your
overall wellbeing as each of these is equally
as valuable as the other. Learning this skill
will help when you qualify as a doctor too
as the job can be very demanding. I’m still
working on finding this balance now as
I’m in my second year as a junior doctor;
it has been particularly difficult during
the Covid-19 pandemic but I have a great
support network around me and reach out
to others to take care of my mental health.
I once saw a patient who was blind and had
many health issues. She confided in me,
telling me she was scared about being in
hospital and that no one was listening to
her. I took the time to listen to her concerns
and ensured she received the care she
needed. The patient later thanked me for
the care I had shown her when we met
again, recognising me by my voice which
was a very rewarding moment. It felt good
that I was able to help someone and these
special moments with patients make it all
worthwhile.
Present Day
Without a doubt, being a doctor is one
of the best jobs in the world. Every day
you are doing exciting and unexpected
things, things you never thought you’d be
capable of! Things change very quickly so
there can be stressful days, but you learn
so much all the time which means you’re
always improving your quality of care for
patients. I’m very excited to complete my
foundation training this year and looking
back on everything I have overcome feels
incredible; my journey hasn’t been an easy
one but I wouldn’t change it. I wish I could
tell my younger self that I would be where I
am today, so instead I will tell you: if this is
your dream, you can do it.
Phoebe’s
Final Tips:
• Look up each course that you’re interested
in on the university’s website in detail before
applying.
• Spurgeons offers a wide range of services to
support young carers: spurgeonsyc.org
• Do not post anything about your medical
school interview online, it could get you
in trouble.
• Check out the Student Room to explore
the UK’s largest online student community:
thestudentroom.co.uk
17

HOW MY DYSLEXIA
DIAGNOSIS MADE
THINGS MAKE SENSE
AIMHIGHER PLUS ASSISTANT, MICKIE,
TELLS US ABOUT HER JOURNEY TO BEING
DIAGNOSED WITH DYSLEXIA WHILST
STUDYING AT UNIVERSITY.
I struggled with spelling, grammar,
and speech from a young age, I
became more embarrassed about it
as I got older. I felt like an idiot, and
this massively impacted my
education. I would avoid reading
aloud at all costs, often getting into
trouble for it.
Looking back, all of this pointed
towards dyslexia, but I wouldn’t get
diagnosed until I started University.
I had heard of dyslexia before I entered higher
education and recognised that I had many
symptoms associated with the
condition, but I’d always thought that if I had
it I would have been diagnosed already.
During Fresher’s week we visited the
Student Support Centre where we were
informed they offered dyslexia assessments.
I decided to book one, wondering “am I just
as stupid as I feared, or is dyslexia the reason
I find words like 'necessarily' or 'guarantee'
impossible to spell correctly?” Turns out I
was dyslexic after all.
Once I’d been diagnosed, I
flourished academically. I started
getting grades that I never imagined
I’d be able to achieve all thanks to
the various support I received. I was
provided with the support I needed
to help me complete my studies and
overcome my issues associated with
dyslexia.
I still struggle because of dyslexia;
I still mix up words when talking
and tasks may take a little longer
for me to complete. So getting
diagnosed with dyslexia didn’t
change my life, but it did make it
make sense. I know I’m not lazy or
stupid, my brain just works
differently, and that’s nothing to
be embarrassed about.
18
Want to know more about Mickie’s journey?
Read the full story at aimhigherwm.ac.uk/blog

CRAZY
COURSES
There are so many different degrees you can study at
university, many you probably haven’t even heard of!
Check out some of the degrees below and see if you can
guess which ones are real or not.
FDA CONTEMPORARY CIRCUS
& PHYSICAL THEATRE
BATH SPA UNIVERSITY
BSC APPLIED GOLF
MANAGEMENT STUDIES
UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM
BA SCANDINAVIAN STUDIES
UNIVERSITY COLLEGE
LONDON (UCL)
BSC APPLIED PLANT SCIENCE
NEWCASTLE UNIVERSITY
BSC CLIMATE CHANGE
LIVERPOOL JOHN MOORES
UNIVERSITY
BSC COMPUTER GAME
APPLICATIONS DEVELOPMENT
ABERTAY UNIVERSITY
BA HOROLOGY
BIRMINGHAM CITY UNIVERSITY
BSC OCEAN EXPLORATION
AND SURVEYING
UNIVERSITY OF PLYMOUTH
BSC TRANSPORT MANAGEMENT
ASTON UNIVERSITY
BA SPECIALIST HAIR AND
MEDIA MAKE-UP
UNIVERSITY COLLEGE
BIRMINGHAM
BSC OUTDOOR ADVENTURE
LEADERSHIP AND
MANAGEMENT
UNIVERSITY OF WORCESTER
BA CHILDREN’S BOOKS
GLYNDWR UNIVERSITY
BSC FORESTRY
BANGOR UNIVERSITY
BSC CYBERPSYCHOLOGY
BOURNEMOUTH UNIVERSITY
BSC LEATHER TECHNOLOGY
UNIVERSITY OF NORTHAMPTON
BSC GENETICS AND EVOLUTION
UNIVERSITY OF CHESTER
BA TV AND FILM
SET DESIGN
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH WALES
BSC AUDIO ENGINEERING
QUEEN’S UNIVERSITY BELFAST
MENG MECHATRONICS AND
ROBOTICS ENGINEERING
ANGLIA RUSKIN UNIVERSITY
BSC BREWING AND DISTILLING
HERIOT – WATT UNIVERSITY
Trick question… all of these courses are real! There’s so many subjects
that you can study at university that you don’t have the chance to learn
about in school. If you’ve got an interest, there’s most likely a degree in it!
19

aimhigher@contacts.bham.ac.uk @aimhigherwm @aimhigherwm
www.aimhigherwm.ac.uk