On The Rise: Rise To

Budding recent graduates and undergraduates descend on London for launch of Rise To 

Are you a budding entrepreneur or a recent undergraduate who strives to maybe one day own your own business? A new concept launched called Rise To will certainly enlighten you to the secrets and tricks of the trade of achieving your reality. 

The event held at ETC Events, Dexter House, Royal Mint Court on 11th October was well attended by a number of partners, recent graduates and budding entrepreneurs. The series of workshops entitled Employ-ability, Speed Networking and Starting your Own Business, provided a format which was approachable to all and allowed individuals to learn, but also ask questions to existing businesses on how they can turn ideas into reality.

With the job market specifically tough for recent graduates. Employers are becoming more reluctant to invest in young talent due to experience. By creating links and routes to successful businesses such as Umi Marketing & Simply Business, Rise To aims to overcome these barriers by providing useful tips on getting that first step on the job ladder or first investment for new businesses.

If you are interested in becoming a partner of Rise To and believe you can add knowledge and experience then please do not hesitate to contact Rachel. Alternatively if you are looking to join the group and have budding ideas of your own but unsure of how to get them of the ground and would welcome some friendly advice and tips then please do not hesitate to contact Amina at Rise To. 

Getting Back On The Job Ladder

After spending the last year working in Sales & Account Management in the FMCG sector I now find myself looking for a new opportunity. 

I thought that after graduating from University and getting a job straight out of blocks it wouldn't be this difficult. Especially a job where I was given the opportunity to be trained up in various aspects of the industry and more over transferable skills in Negotiation and Presentation. 

Well I couldn't have been more wrong! Since leaving my contract position I have found it incredibly difficult to get my foot back in the door. Admittedly I have been offered and taken a number of temporary opportunities, to keep income coming in, but they are only so good for the short term.  

A search on my email inbox for the word 'applications' reveals a staggering 190 applications since July. Some have led to interviews, some second stage, some even third stage. Others have been a point blank refusal, with many more not even giving me a reply. So after so much time writing covering letters and emails its difficult to keep optimism and hope. 

So where does this leave me know?

I am still actively looking, I am not one of these people that will do the job and go home at the end of the day, I have resilient character, I don't get intimidated by others and would like to think that I can bring bags of enthusiasm to the role I eventually end up doing. 

The real disheartening thing though is that whilst I am technically 'unemployed' the government states that I didn't pay enough National Insurance last year and therefore not entitled to any 'job seekers allowance'. Now come on! Whilst I may have had a job for a year, I am pretty sure there are people out there who have never worked and I am certainly not one of those. 

Nick Clegg & The Political Spoofs

Earlier this week, Deputy Prime Minister and leader of the Liberal Democrats, Nick Clegg spoke of his apology to students regarding the latest round of tuition fee increases. Whilst this was the main objective of his speech, no sooner had he ended on the word 'apology' the video was a viral sensation and is set to maybe even reach the UK Chart this weekend. 

The broadcast intended for students, created by 'thepoke' website gives a great opportunity to see the light er side to Politics. However whilst the spoof has been watched by just shy of 400,000 YouTube viewers, Nick Clegg has given his full backing requesting that all of the single profits be given to the Christians Hospitality Charity in Sheffield, where he is a PM. 

This is not the first time something like has happened. In the build up to Presidents Obama election in 2008 a video replicating a speech at a party broadcast was re-created by creative agency Dipdive and released on YouTube. It featured Will.i.am, John Legend and a wealth of other known celebrities supporting his campaign. The video entitled 'Yes We Can' has grossed more than 24million users since 2008 and has won a host of Webby and Emmy awards for both the creative directors at Dipdive but also Will.i.am himself. 

So whether Nick Clegg is keen to re-gain credibility to students following this spoof remains to be seen, however the video will do the coalition government no wrong going forward. 

If you have not seen both of these videos I have attached them to the bottom of this blog for your further amusement.