Month: February 2019

What made me choose Sheffield?

By James Dylag, BA Business Management

Deciding where to study is a massive decision to make. There are such a massive amount of universities offering an even bigger variety of courses to prospective students, but for me Sheffield really did, and still does stand out… here’s why.

First of all, it’s difficult to ignore how good The University of Sheffield really is. Sheffield is a Russell Group university and has a Students’ Union that has been voted the best in the country for ten consecutive years. If this wasn’t enough, the Management School itself is one of few business schools globally that has been awarded triple-accreditation… that in itself is impressive!

Not only is Sheffield a top performing university, but the city is also great. Despite being the fourth largest city in the UK, Sheffield is somehow still able to maintain a real community feel, and a very friendly population. Being from a very small town myself, it was important for me to have a city that is friendly and welcoming… it was the first time I’d lived in a city after all! This community feel is possibly most present in the university accommodation, where there is never a dull moment! In both Endcliffe andRanmoor you’ll find activities to do, from fitness classes, outdoor cinemas or just a drink at The Edge, and it’s the perfect place to settle in.

Another swaying factor for me was the support system available at Sheffield. Starting off at university is a big deal. Personally, I wanted to know if I did have any issues or problems with my course, accommodation or anything about university life I would be supported. When visiting the university, I really felt that staff members genuinely cared, and had the students best interest at heart. I still think this today! The University offers all sorts of help and guidance for students around any type of issue. You can find this help in the Students’ Union, your academic department or your personal tutor. In student accommodation you’ll also have a Residence Life Mentor, who are students that can help you with any personal issues you may be having.

The final thing that swayed my decision was looking at the modules that my course offers. I study Business Management, and I thought that the first-year modules would give me a real understanding of a variety of business areas, which it did. I was then able in my second and third year to concentrate my module choices around areas which I enjoyed the most. Having the freedom to choose modules in all three years of university has meant I have been able to explore all different areas of my subject and helped me to shape a view of where my skills lie.

Choosing where to go to university is such a big decision, which is why I strongly recommend you keep an open mind, ask questions and do your research. There are so many possibilities when you consider what course you would like to study and exactly where you would like to study it – make sure you’re informed so you can make the decision that is right for you. But most importantly, remember that no choice is the wrong choice – go where you feel comfortable and you’ll have the best time!

My summer internship at Performance Engineered Solutions Ltd.

By Hannah Reaney, BA Business Management

During the summer of 2018 I was fortunate to gain an internship as a Marketing Assistant at a local engineering company in Sheffield called Performance Engineered Solutions Ltd. They are an engineering design business that provide solutions to clients’ engineering challenges. They work in a variety of sectors including Formula 1, aerospace, energy, marine, automotive, and many more.

I decided to do a summer placement because I felt that it would provide a great opportunity of putting what I have learnt at university into practice and give me some real-world work experience. During my course I really enjoyed studying marketing modules, and found it interesting learning about the best methods of communication for different businesses. I was excited to have the chance to apply what I had learned in the workplace, and see if I enjoyed a marketing role.

I first found out about the role on the University’s Careers Connect website, where I had to write a CV and a cover letter. In order to prepare, I visited the Employability Hub, the careers service that is based within the Management School, for some practical advice on my application. The Careers Advisor was able to check over my CV and cover letter before I submitted it, and I also gained some valuable advice on how to approach an interview if I was successful. Thankfully, I was! For my interview I was told I had to prepare some work on my thoughts and ideas on the current website and how it could be developed. My interview went well, and I was offered the role.

I really enjoyed my summer internship, and feel that as I was at a smaller company compared to a larger PLC, I was offered more responsibility and was able to see the end results of what I had worked on during my time there. It’s easy to only consider the big names when you’re looking for a placement or internship, however I definitely wouldn’t change where I chose to work.  My summer with PES Performance was a great experience with a great team of people. I’m pleased to say that when my internship finished they offered me a part-time role whilst I complete my studies, which means I have some extra income and some great experience to put on my CV and speak about at graduate interviews. I would recommend a summer internship to anyone!

Food shopping on a student budget

By James Dylag, BA Business Management

Moving to University comes with a million questions, but generally at the forefront of a student’s mind before they go to university is – what am I going to cook and how much will I be spending on food? Having had very little culinary experience before university, this question was on the tip of my tongue – thankfully, three years in I’m still well fed and standing. Here’s my guide to food shopping on a student budget.

Something I wish I had considered in first year that would have saved me a ton of money… ditch the brands. It’s time to say goodbye to your favourite branded cereal, crisps and biscuits and say hello to supermarket own brands. These are literally so much cheaper but taste pretty much the exact same. If there is some branded food product you simply can’t live without (for me, it’s Ben and Jerry’s ice cream) then limit your intake and only buy it when you’re really craving it.

Sheffield has loads of supermarkets and convenience stores, so make sure you’re shopping around. Ideally, shop at budget supermarkets like Aldi and Lidl as much as you can – you really will save loads of money. You’ll find an Aldi just a fifteen-minute walk from the Students Union (St. Mary’s Gate). Even if you walk there and get a taxi back with your bags – you’d stillbe saving yourself money! There’s also Moor marketplace, based in the centre of town, where you can find plenty of greengrocers, butchers and fishmongers selling produce for a more reasonable price than big supermarkets. You might not be able to get everything you need from these places, but you can get the basics for pretty cheap.

Batch cooking is a seriously popular trend amongst students. It’s as easy as it sounds – just cook more than the amount you need, and freeze any of your leftovers for another day. Not only does this save money, but it also means that if after a long day at uni you really don’t fancy cooking, you’re already sorted.

If you’re really set on saving money on your food shopping, cooking vegetarian meals can really help. Eating vegetarian is becoming increasingly popular, and with this comes increased convenience – it is easy to have a quick browse online for a simple vegetarian dish that is full of flavour. I personally decided to go vegetarian at the beginning of my third year and haven’t looked back, and I’ve found myself being healthier and saving money along the way. One of my favourite places to go for inspiration is Instagram, where there are plenty of accounts that show how to make quick, healthy meals, prepared on camera so they’re easy to follow.

Lastly, my top tip is to have fun with your cooking, stay relatively healthy, and appreciate your home cooked meals when you visit your family in the holidays!