Saint Skills Spotlight Award: Anna Vegh
In this post, we hear from Anna Vegh, a recent graduate who studied BSc (Hons) Biology and French. She completed the Saints Skills Spotlight Award last year and shares her experience throughout the entire Award process.
The inspiration
Have you ever wondered how a person you admire got to live the life they do?
This question was at the forefront of my mind when I applied to this Award, as I was in the midst of applying to opportunities that were opening up for after my graduation. Although I have applied to a variety of internships and summer jobs, I found the process complex and involved. So, I decided that going through a mock recruitment process with a prize visible at the finish line would give me that extra boost of confidence that would land me my first ever graduate position.
The process
This was the mindset with which I leapt into this next adventure, but my goodness, did I underestimate what I would get out of this process! I had the chance to get creative: I made up my dream job that I would apply to, and went about putting together an imaginary application for it. I sat down one lovely October afternoon, and for the first time ever, the words just flowed, and in no time at all, I had my entire cover letter ready to go, a process which usually takes me days. I submitted my application that very day, and soon afterwards I got super helpful feedback which I could use for the real applications I was submitting at the time.
Realisations and discoveries
Although I didn’t end up getting those jobs, to be quite honest I sigh in relief every time I imagine what it would have been like working in those roles! Submitting an imaginary application for the job I hope to get in ten years made it crystal clear what I really want in my life. Right now, I have the ‘Apply Now!’ tab open on my laptop for my dream Master’s course that will lead me towards this job. I also have the confidence in the quality of my application that I wished I could one day have. Along the way, I picked up valuable tips on how to stand out in activities employers use to evaluate our skills, such as CVs, cover letters, video interviews, assessment centres, and competency-based interview questions.
Visit to Q2 Solutions
The cherry on top of this whole experience (apart from realising what I would truly love doing) was the site visit to Q2 Solutions’ Headquarters in Livingston. On the journey there I got to mingle with fellow students, as well as chat to Careers Centre staff, and on site we had the chance to experience first-hand what life in such a diverse company can be like. This further cemented that the new direction my life has taken is the right one.
Final thoughts …
If you are thinking, “Hmm… perhaps…” about taking part in this opportunity, I have two words for you: “do it!” This is a safe way of trying your wings out. Whatever happens with your real-world applications, on this Award you will always get friendly and encouraging advice from a Careers Centre professional. Go on, what’s holding you back?
Fancy putting your skills to the test?
Sign up for this semester’s Saints Skills Spotlight Award on CareerConnect Pathways.
Semester 1 deadline: Sunday 20 October at 23:59.
