Podcast: Review of Lonely Planet’s Birmingham Student Guide
March 9th, 2010
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Lonely Planet have teamed up with Student Birmingham to make a student and graduate guide for Birmingham. Joining forces with Birmingham’s five universities, the travel guide company have produced a 96 page booklet about life in the city.
Download or listen to the podcast below to find out more about the guide, as well as what students think of it.
Lonely Planet Guide Podcast by jojchapman
Money, money, money
Worried about paying your student loan back after university?
Confused about how much you owe and how much interest you’re paying? Well start listening because The Grade has all your answers.
For those of you who have taken out a student loan since 1998, you will have what is known as an “Income Contingency Loan”. In simple English, it means the amount you pay back when you start working will depend on what you earn.
You will only start paying back your student loan once you have graduated and are earning at least £15,000 per year, or more. After this, 9% will be deducted from your wages.
However, it is only deducted from the amount that you earn over £15,000. For example if your annual salary is £20,000, you will have 9% deducted from the extra £5,000 of your wages.
The loan payment is also taken before tax making it more money efficient for you… not bad hey?
Time is running out…
With the deadline looming (Monday 8th March) B-Hive creative have given a few helpful tips for student submissions.
Number One: It is fine to enter more than one category, so don’t hold back. With marketing, web design, graphic design and PR placements up for grabs more than one may tickle your creative side. Applying to more than one will give the judges a chance to see more of you and, of course, you’ll have double the chance of winning.
Number Two: File sizes should be less than 8MB. Larger submissions can be sent in a low resolution file or printed and sent to B-Hive Creative, Ground Floor, Norfolk House, Smallbrook Queensway, Birmingham, B5 4LJ. Remember to mention any extra material in your submission so it’s not misplaced.
Number Three: Look out for computer glitches! If you want to double check your application was received give them a quick call. It won’t hurt and can put your mind at rest. Call 0121 270 4080.
With only days left till the application deadline you need to act quickly. Entrant will then be reviewed in the following week followed by the shortlist announcement on Monday 15th March.
Good luck!
Lonely Planet hits Birmingham
Leading travel guide organisation, Lonely Planet ,has teamed up with Student Birmingham to produce a guide to the city of Birmingham, for students and graduates.
After months of researching every corner, crack and hideaway in the city, Lonely Planet has managed to put together a guide that will have students fighting over places in Birmingham universities.
With 175,000 copies being distributed across the country, we can all find out what Birmingham is like from a trustworthy Lonely Planet perspective.
A hit with Birmingham City University students!
The Grade’s “Welcome to the Real World” campaign proved to be a huge hit with Birmingham City University students today, as they took advantage of expert careers advice and free cakes.
The campaign was launched to help students and graduates with their career options after university. Students were invited to visit The Grade’s stand in the Baker Building foyer at City North Campus, with their CV to receive advice from a Career Zone consultant.
We had a great turn out and kept our very own CV checker very busy. All in all, it was an enjoyable and successful day.
For those of you who didn’t make it, you can book an appointment with a Career Zone advisor at Student Services, 1st floor of Baker Building, City North Campus. Or visit their website for more information.
Podcast: Pitch’s Ollie Purdom gives recruiting tips
Recruitment expert Ollie Purdom of Pitch Consultants tells The Grade his tips on impressing employers. Ollie, Pitch’s director, also reminded us of Birmingham’s increasing revitalisation as a city for living and working.
Download or listen to the podcast below to find out what Ollie says will help you get your foot on the ladder in the industry you are aiming to enter.
Being on the beat:
Rewarding, challenging and fun
Our local police force are beginning the long search for dedicated and inspired recruits in the lead up to the Olympic Challenge of 2012.
Currently standing proud as the second largest police force on the mainland, West Midlands are looking to maintain their title with top quality new recruits to represent and reflect the communities they serve.
Voted into Stonewall’s Top 100 Employers of 2009 and The Times Top 50 places where women want to work in 2008, West Midlands Police continue as one of the best performing forces in the country.
Police Constable Andy Towe told The Grade why he was so proud to be part of a inspirational institute:
“For me, the big selling point is every day is different, during my 28 years service I have been involved in many different incidents and served for 21 years as a firearms officer, so the opportunities are almost endless.”
The application process, although long and gruelling, highlights those really suited to the position. Proving you have what it takes can be considerable hard work, but here Andy helps The Grade understand the process.
‘Welcome to the Real World’ campaign
The Grade are giving graduates and students of Birmingham City University an official ‘Welcome to the Real World’ on Wednesday 3rd March.
We are inviting students to come along to the Baker Building (North City Campus) from 1pm to receive free advice and information on finding a job after university.
There will be an expert on hand to check your CV’s are up to scratch. And what’s more… we will be giving away a FREE CAKE to every student who uses the CV checking service.
The advisor will also be able to help with preparing for an interview and provide you with any other information you may require.
Hope to see you all there!
Podcast: Student talks about B-Hive Experience
Student Jennifer Isles discusses how she benefited from Birmingham’s B-hive campaign.
Download or listen to the podcast below to find out the pros and cons of the scheme, which is designed to give students studying PR, Marketing, Web Design or Graphic design a helping hand onto the job ladder.
Thank you, please
Sometimes we forget our manners, it happens to the best of us -but your graduation dinner is not the time to falter. That’s why The Grad Mag is giving you the dot to dot in finishing your graduation meal in sheer style.
Dating back to when I was shipped off to my first children’s’ Birthday party I can still remember my Mum’s words to me before I left, the same words that come back to me at most social events – “don’t forget your manners.” And we mustn’t!
As we get older the party dress turns to a glamorous ball gown, the food becomes much tastier and the cutlery range more extensive. Who’d have believed we would evolve into our adult lives needing nine items of cutlery to finish just one meal – rather than the perfectly designed plastic spoon we enjoyed as kids? Anyway no use dwelling, time to get learning….
