“ASP Peer Mentor
”A mentor is a person, who allows you to see the hope inside yourself”. I would add that it allows the mentor to grow internally as well. That is why being a mentor is important for both my personal development and academic excellence. My first mentee is a student, who came to study in the UK. I know how challenging it is for him to study in a foreign country and get used to a new social environment. Therefore, my tasks are to become his point of reference for any academic or organizational issue and to help him become an active part of campus by introducing him to the student community and signing up for student clubs, which add diversity to student life. I will also assist him in academic performance, including how to get started properly, when to ask for help, or talk to the tutor. This experience is vital for me to grow as an individual, develop my communication and leadership skills, and become a valuable member of the community in the future. I believe I can reveal my own potential while mentoring and, maybe, my mentee will become a mentor for someone one day as well. ”
“Reading club | Capital in the Twenty-First Century
The author highlighted the inequality from the lens of financial systems between the rich and the poor. The system’s difference starts from the base where the different sources of income for the less fortunate and how the wealthier individuals inherit their fortune. The tax burden on poor people is too heavy. However, it does not affect the more affluent individuals as much. These were some common and most essential facts that the author highlighted in the book, as this is why inequality has managed to create such a gap between the two social classes.
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“Economics and finance society | UCL Economic Debate
The Economics and Finance Society at the University of Surrey held the UCL Economic Debate. It is an annual inter-university competition wherein students from various schools gather together to witness the debate of chosen students who are specializing or interested in economics. The goal is to allow these students to go beyond the pen and paper and be able to express themselves and the theories they believed in. Last year, approximately 200 people attended the same event. The success of last year’s event would not have been possible if not for the participation of many universities namely UCL, LSE, Oxford, Cambridge, Warwick, and Durham. Because of the success of the debate, our society was able to secure support from the UCL Department of Economics and sponsors who are willing to help in order for this year’s event be a reality by inviting twelve universities to compete.
As a member of the Economics and Finance Society, I played an important role in the event as well. I was assigned to practice as part of the opposing team. We had to brainstorm the possible arguments that the other team might raise. I think we did a pretty good job in this event. All of us were able to give a fair share of our talents.
This event, although an academic one, has imparted a lot of value to me not just academically but also personally and professionally. Of course, academically, the debate helped me understand more about the concepts on finance. I was able to go back through the past lessons as we brainstormed of the best arguments for the debate. Personally, this helps me think strategically by optimizing a given situation to come up with the best outcome. Hearing the other side and being able to answer logically is a good experience and practice in my opinion.
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“Debate society | Climate Change Awareness Talk
We organized a talk which aims to raise people’s awareness about the realities of climate change with the end of providing solutions to mitigate the problem. I believe that this topic is relevant and timely. As part of the logistics team, my main responsibility involves ensuring everything is in coordination with the events plan. The venue is organized properly, and the talk proceeds according to the plan.
Organizing the event is not easy. Despite meticulous planning, not everything went according to plan. For example, the venue’s preparation was derailed, and the team had to rush everything to meet the deadline. The experience taught me that events management is dynamic, and it requires flexibility. I also realized that no plan is perfect, as it could not anticipate all unexpected eventualities. The experience served as a learning experience for me. In the future, I will allocate allowance for uncertainties and be prepared for it. Better yet, I will integrate risk-mitigating measures in my plan so that I will be more prepared to deal with any eventuality.
Despite all the challenges we experienced in organizing the talk, the event was still a success due to the positive feedback of the attendees. I felt fulfilled when I saw the positive feedback from both the representatives and the audience. The attendees’ positive comments made the difficulties worth it. It does not mean, however, that I am contented with my organizational capability. I recognize that I still have a lot of things to learn, such as effective time-management, leadership, interpersonal, communication skills, and risk management skills.
As I mature and move forward, I am confident that the lessons I learned from the experience will make me a better organizer. One of the most important lessons I got from organizing the climate change awareness talk is flexibility. When you work as a team, you work with individuals with different personalities and work habits. The experience made me realize the importance of interpersonal skills in dealing with people with different personalities. However, since we are working as a team and the success of the event depends on our teamwork, we need to be flexible. We need to set aside our differences and have to work together. When we are flexible, we become open to change. And when we are open to change, we become more understanding and mature. Despite the challenges I encountered in organizing the event, I still look forward to more organizing experience as it improves my organizing capability.
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“YEAR 3”
“Year 12 Business Taster Day | University of Surrey
Organised by Surrey University’s prestigious Economics & Finance Society, we learnt how markets work and different strategies for productivity in the workplace. With remote working, our work is now less tethered to the literal hours we work, and more closely related to our actual output. We were given exercises which helped me evaluate my own strengths and weaknesses, so I can focus on working to develop them in coming years.
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“How to freelance in the tech industry | University of Surrey
We learnt how technology was changing the 21st century’s work landscape. With technologies such as Slack and Skype making remote working possible, wherever you are in the world, flexible hours are increasingly becoming the norm. Seniority is becoming less relevant and hierarchies more flat. Subsequently, it is possible for even new recruits to rapidly ascent to positions of power and command high salaries commensurate to their talent, even if they lack experience in the industry. In addition, tools like LinkedIn make networking easier than ever. It was very insightful to see how these technologies are changing work lives, and to learn how we can take advantage of them.
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“Collaboration of political societies from surrey at campus to find solutions on what to do with the CO2 | Surrey University
Surrey University organized the event to address the problem of increasing CO2 in our city. Diverse academic fields and political societies came together to first address key issues of pollution and diminishing greenery. They suggested planting more trees and increasing corporate compliance with environmentally friendly policies. We also heard about the crippling effect of lobby groups and private interests, stymying environmental progress, which I am now very cautious of. We also learnt about more practical strategies such as recycling, raising community awareness and internationally imposed governmental penalties (e.g. those levied on the UK by the EU).”
“How are digital technologies fundamentally changing the world of business? how ready are you for a disrupted world? What is an idea? Are entrepreneurs born or made? | University of Surrey
Surrey University’s renowned Business Society ran the event to help us understand the advantages and disadvantages of technology in our everyday lives. It helped me see past the myth that “more technology is always better” and realise that, in many ways, technology may be stymying social progress: e.g. Facebook increasing workplace distraction. We also debunked the myth that entrepreneurs are born, and saw that, in the majority of cases, entrepreneurs went through a series of “nurture” experiences that led them down their eventual entrepreneurial road. In fact, what really makes an entrepreneur is persistence, a skill I am now working to develop in all areas of my life.
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“YEAR 2”
“Emirates specialised contracting systems
During my internship at Emirates Specialised Contracting Systems, I had to contact debtors in the construction and schedule the payments for their orders. When there were problems with these payments I was also responsible for amiably setting financial disputes, to ensure payment was made as quickly as possible without upsetting our loyal, valuable customer base.
My second responsibility was to prepare the VAT filing which required extreme attention to detail, as an error could have created serious legal issues for the business. I also completed the registration of the company for VAT, which involved reading and completion of complex legal documentation.
Thirdly, I also started an interval audit of 10+ employees, investigating their payments and salaries to ensure the business was running most efficiently and fairly (but economically) paying its employees.
What have I learnt?
I have learnt how to negotiate in tense situations. Dealing with the late payments of construction work was extremely high-stakes: the value of payments was very high, and debtors were often reluctant to pay. It was essential that I learnt how to communicate empathetically but firmly to resolve the disputes without losing our customers’ patronage.
My VAT responsibilities helped me understand the impacts of economic policy on businesses in a real world situation. Often I have explored the impact of taxation on economic models, but seeing the real-life cost of taxation (not only financially, but the time required to complete tax filings) showed me limits increasing tax can place on a business. This will help me analyse more left-wing views which often applaud increased taxation and higher government spending. Additionally, if I ever want to start my own organisation or a subsidiary organisation within a larger corporate, understanding how loan payments and VAT work is a valuable head-start.
Finally, the internal audit taught me how to evaluate the merit of employees by comparing their productivity and salaries. This skill is transferrable and will allow to compare the benefits and costs of new policies and even personal life decisions.
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“Internship at the Cultural attaché of the United Arab Emirates
I completed an internship at the Cultural Attaché office of the United Arab Emirates, located in London. Here I was given a set of detailed processes on what to do, when to do it, how to do it and whom should be responsible. Next I received the objectives I needed to meet from my seniors and had to complete their objectives as quickly as possible.
I had to mange my time effectively, prioritising what’s important but also what’s most urgent, to meet their deadlines. Moreover the volume of work I received and the invariably high standards expected of me pushed my attention to detail, to ensure the needs of the unit were satisfied.
What have I learnt?
During my internship, I have learnt from my academic advisor how to complete work to the highest standard, spot errors/inconsistencies and present my findings. Working here has also provided me with an opportunity to practice communication skills, with the office’s native English speakers and learn more from them how I can communicate more articulately and persuasively. Moreover, I’ve had to network with IT and Finance departments to meet certain deadlines and move projects forward, which has improved my teamwork skills and interpersonal skills.
Meeting deadlines and finishing projects has given me a real sense of accomplishment by contribution. Especially as I was able to apply the core concepts that I learnt in my academic disciplines, politics and economics. For instance, when deciding on the best course of action I was able to use a democratic approach to canvas the opinions of more experienced colleagues to arrive at the best decision. Or when allocating work, I was able to use the economic theory of specialisation and the division of labour to finish the job most efficiently.
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“Elite Private School | United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi
I worked at the Elite Private School, primarily in the marketing department. My first task was to establish a social media presence for the school. I started Facebook and Instagram pages, designed content and graphics and created processes for future content to be uploaded. As a result, the school’s social media account grew to 500+ followers and 1200+ likes.
My second task was to negotiate advertising partnerships with national newspapers to promote the school. I had to first make contact, then convince them to advertise the school for an agreeable. Finally, the task involved carefully selecting the photos and written content to best reflect the school within a limited advertising space offered by the papers.
My final tasks was to organise the school’s end of year celebrations. I managed a team of designers and 11 editors, to create 100-page end of year magazine, featuring 1000+ students which was distributed to all graduating students. I also canvassed students’ opinions to best design the magazine for their needs, the feedback was overwhelmingly positive. I also had to finalise the graduation event, which involved organising the celebrations and coordinating staff members.
What have I learnt?
Understanding how to leverage social media to grow a brand will be invaluable given the growing influence of social media in modern-day business. Moreover, I also learnt how to use social media responsibly, to avoid controversy but continue to generate interest. This will help in me in both private and governmental sectors as both are now heavily using social media to promote their brands and political campaigns.
Negotiating advertising deals taught me how to convey brand messages concisely and effectively, because the column space provided by the papers was so limited. Additionally, I learnt how to compromise and reach agreeable price with suppliers which will undoubtedly help making deals in politics and business.
The graduation organisation task was perhaps most educational of all. I learnt how to manage an entire team of editors and designers, take on their feedback, and test out different leadership styles - democratic, hierarchical and laissez-faire. I realised that using the same leadership style for everyone can’t work as different people respond differently, and therefore adopted a more nuanced, individualised approach to get the most out of my team. I was also able to use motivational theories from economics, such as Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, to keep employee morale high. These skills will be invaluable as I progress into more senior positions at work, and need to take responsibility for a subordinate team.
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“Model of United Nations society
The Model of United Nations society is for practicing diplomatic, negotiation and debating skills, and won Best Society in 2015. Through the society’s weekly debating events I have been able to learn more about political events and current affairs, and practice my debating skills with other ambitious students with differing points of view.
Later this year I will be attending the Model UN conference with my university. The conference brings together different nationalities from around the world and will expand my knowledge about global issues, because MUN requires every
participant to have an understanding of most pressing global issues so they can contribute to lively and useful debate. The MUN teaches you how to be an effective diplomat and improve your confidence in front of an audience of 100s.
What have I learnt?
By participating, I have learnt how the United Nations works and the impact on countries and businesses - for example any law passed in the UN can change all the rules and the regulations in every countries. The UN also place particular focus on child labour laws and regulations; this information is useful to inform future businesses or political organisations about how their actions may be interpreted by UN authorities. This has broadened my political knowledge base and will help as I progress in my politics studies at university, and beyond in a possible governmental graduate career.
I have also been able to develop my communication skills. Listening to other perspectives has taught me that everyone has something to add, and we need to be extremely responsive to the feedback of others. I believe this will help me immensely in a political career, as making sure decisions are agreeable with the electorate and other politicians is key to moving new policy forward.
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“Debate society
The University’s Debate society gave me the opportunity discuss about various political and economic issues. Research and debating these topics improved my knowledge of politics and economics, but also enhanced my communication skills.
I have specialised in particular on topics concerning the environment, because I believe the political and economic consequences of global warming are grand and need to be given more attention than at present.
What have I learnt?
Learning and researching more deeply into environmental issues will keep me at the forefront of climate change issues, helping me to pre-empt its consequences through political policy or through greener, eco-friendly business decisions.
Learning the art of debating effectively will also help in my politics and business, as oral presentation is so key to winning votes, making sales and progressing professionally. Creating convincing narratives is also key persuading people into agreements and deals, particularly in the political arena.
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“Economics and finance society
The Economics and Finance society is the biggest society at the University. The society caters to career, inter-student and professional networking. Finance and economics are core factors for any business, because they’re necessary to understand for an entrepreneur to function. The society also provides talks on economic forecasting and financial planning.
What have I learnt?
Securing investment for a future business or raising funds through bond issuance for a government project both involve a detailed understanding of financial accounting, planning and economic forecasting - these are all skills I have improved networking at the society and learning from others interested in these fields. In addition, attending the mini-career fairs organised by the society I have been able to better my understanding of potential future careers and what might be best for me upon graduation. I have also learnt, speaking to current industry professionals, what skills I need to concentrate which has helped me choose my modules for next year more intelligently, opting for harder courses with more rigour and utility.
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“Capital in the Twenty-First Century
In this book, the author explains the evil nature of capitalism and how it has deeply manipulated the financial systems hence creating a widening inequality progressively over time. The economic gaps between the rich and the poor are nowhere near imagination, and it’s all sadly backed up by capitalist theorist implications across the society. It is sad to see the majority of the population languishing in poverty all in the name of capitalism, and yet they are the most hardworking people. The unequal wealth distribution also creates a taxation gap that is recovered from the poor people more as governments focus is to tax the income and ignore the wealth, which is also the reason rich people tend to grow more since 1970s. The ripple effect is that the poor tend to pay more taxes that is disproportionate that what the rich pays therefore keeping the poor people always financially disadvantaged.
According to the book, capitalism is an evil and manipulative strategy implanted by the wealthy to rig the lower class of society of their peanut struggles to benefit the wealthy minority whose appetite and quest for more never cease. The financial crisis experienced in 2008 can directly be linked to evil capitalism. Despite the numerous adverse effects, the 2008 financial crisis served as a reality check to the masses because they got to realize how they had been brainwashed in living within a temporary bubble created by the filthy rich. Unfortunately, the poor were once again influenced, and the system revived back the way it was. The author has been fearless to point out and call out pro-capitalist in the society to highlight what mistakes they have committed and how they have been the real threat for the whole world. The reality is that that is inevitable in this book is that we have created a man eat man society.
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“YEAR 1”