2014 New years… some tips for job-hunting at Aston

31^st Dec 2013 New year’s eve, I visited London to watch new year fireworks 2014. According to BBC news, a quarter of million people came to London to watch it. Although I arrived quite early 4 hours before commencing firework, I can’t take a perfect place. If anyone who wants to watch Fireworks 2015 London, they should be aware of the place that could be unthinkably and extremely busy.

Anyway, master course in the UK normally one-year duration so I really need to search jobs and get skills that can make me highly employable.  Aston Business School Provides some tips regarding writing C.V and Cover letter, Interview skills Etc. If you make appointment via WASS(Aston Web Appointment Scheduling System), you can get detailed advice regarding job-seeking on a one to one basis. Furthermore, Postgraduate Career Advisor hold career session ever weekday afternoon at 2^nd floor. So students get quick questions about their queries without appointment. Additionally, Career service at Aston provides latest job market information and a variety of job fairs. So I found that is really helpful.

Finished 1/3 of the course!!

As long as I know, most of MSc courses at Aston consist of three terms for the whole year. Basically, First term course provides principal knowledge regarding my major and then second term help students understand further knowledge. Just before I finish off my 1^st term, I should take exam to measure my academic performance and efforts.

After I took the exam, I realized that assessment methods should be considered when you are choosing your courses or schools. Literally, every course has different methods and criteria for assessment. If you want regally good marks, you should consider candidate course’s assessment method is fit your ability because some courses(including my course) assess students 100 percent by  final exams. However, some courses assess students by the performance of reports or projects.

Anyway, after finishing my 1^st and 2^nd terms, I should start my dissertation. Probably, many MSc courses at Aston could be similar course outline as my course except MBA Programme. As a result, Presumably last term, students will have enough time to seek job or they can study abroad by utilizing our exchange  programs(we have many exchange programs with prestigious business schools such as double degree or study abroad. If you interested in please check below the link).

http://www1.aston.ac.uk/aston-business-school/international/outgoing/postgraduate/double-degree/

Villa Park !!

Football is one the most popular and well known sports in the world. Basically The first football league is founded in England. Becoming major football league in the world. If you particularly interested in football, you definitely have many chances to see football matches in Birmingham. 

There are two major football clubs in Birmingham. Aston Villa is one of the oldest and most successful football clubs and the other fierce local rivalry is Birmingham city. Personally I prefer Aston Villa F.C so I did go Villa Park for big match of Aston Villa VS Man Utd.

My seat was for Aston Villa supporters so I should cheer for Aston Villa!  If you are considering to watch Premier league, you should careful about selecting your seats(it is clearly divided by teams)

Otherwise, security guy will come to you and escort to exit if you cheer for the opponent team.  Additionally you can get a student discount offer for ticket so please keep your Student ID when you book the ticket!

Trip to Oxford and London

Birmingham is located in the centre of the UK. So you can go anywhere relatively lower prices 

compared to other places! Furthermore, Aston university is not only very close to Train station(Birmingham moor Street is just 6mins walking distance) but Coach station is not far from the campus as well(10 mins from the campus). Personally i strongly recommend you to reserve ticket in advance(it is much cheaper than purchasing on site). Anyway, i did go Oxford and Cambridge and London this time.

 Above and below pictures are the christ church in oxford!! This place is very famous filming  location of Harry Potter!! Generally Oxford is quite busy in the weekends. If you don't like crowded place you should consider it to go on weekdays.

London just takes one and half a hour if you takes Train. Personally, i go London quite often because there are many attractions such as Madame Tussauds British museum etc.. It's hard to narrow it down to  explain why i go london that often haha. Anyway, i am quite satisfied the location of the campus due to quite low trip costs.

what a great place to live!!

To Be Honest, i don't like the weather of UK, i know it is quite straightforward but everyone agree with that! so the environment of place could be very important factor due to bad weather(bad weather could make you feel depressed !! seriously) 

 If you are considering birmingham for study, i could tell many attractive things about this city :)
 see! i took above picture in the city centre. as you can see, many people can easily find some places to relax even middle of the city centre ! actually this is one of my favorite places :)

Birmingham's Frankfurt Christmas Market is obviously enjoyable for everyone!!(it opens now until 22nd December ) you can feel the Christmas in this lovely places!! Christmas carol, exotic foods, coffees, mulled wine, fancy chocolates etc..
Definitely, you are not gonna be easily depressed due to english bad weather(or foods) in Birmingham!! there are lots of enjoyable events in Birmingham including Frankfurt Christmas Market

about my course

 

 

Currently, i am enjoying my study at Aston!! in this time i will briefly explain my study !!

 My course is MSc Investment Analysis. This course is quite good for someone who is seeking for practical knowledge in finance industry becuase this course is officially recongnised by CISI so students could get exemption from CISI diploma to aquire certificates. Literally 14 UK universities assigned as a Centre of Excellence for exemption.

 

 Furthermore, Trading room provides excellent opportunitiy for students to access latest market resources and financial datbase. Additionally, it also gives chance to take exam for reuter trading
certificate to strengthen students' CV.  Personally, i like my course becuase tutors are very friednly and they know exactly what they are talking about. I believe that other courses have very distinctive
advantages in practical terms. !!

Living on campus

  

Living on campus has relatively huge advantages compared to living off campus. For example, no transport costs, shorter length contract and city centre location. Basically, Aston Accommodation provides three selections for students: Lakeside residence, New build 5 bedroom flat and 7bedroom flat. Personally i chose New build 7 bed room flat option due to its cost competitiveness of price and quality of the building(it’s new build!). The difference between 5 room and 7room option is the size of bed 3/4 size for 5bedroom and single size bed for 7bedroom. So if someone who has unusual sleeping habit, i strongly recommend to get 5bedroom flat option!.  

Living on campus guarantees that you don’t need to worry about safety issue. To enter the accommodation, i need two key cards to unlock four doors!!   

With En-suite Bathroom, state of the art kitchen facilities !!

If you have any queries about living on campus, just ask me J