Profile: I am a professional, hard working and creative graduate with exceptional drive and determination. My experiences both within academic life and through extracurricular activities have shown that I have the ability to take on any challenge presented to me, communicate effectively with people from any background and work well both individually and as part of a team. I currently work as an English teacher in a Chinese university and am looking to face a new challenge.

Education and Qualifications

School (1999 – 2004): Penistone Grammar School, Huddersfield Road, Penistone, Sheffield, S36 7BX

Sixth Form College (2004 – 2006): Penistone Grammar School Sixth Form College, Huddersfield Road, Penistone, Sheffield, S36 7BX

University (2006 – Present): The University of Nottingham: Currently Studying for a BA in Politics. Predicted degree result 2:1 (based on second year/first semester of third year marks)

A-Levels:      

       Geography (A) Government and Politics (B) English Language and Literature (B) General Studies (A)

GCSEs:   Geography (A*) English (AA) Science (AA) Maths (A) ICT (A) Music (B) Religious Studies (B) French (C) Psychology (C) Systems Electronics (C)

Other Qualifications:      Key Skills ICT and considerably wider ICT knowledge from personal research, ABRSM Grade 7 Piano Practical, ABRSM Grade 5 Music Theory

Work Experience

September 2009 – Present: The Hunan University of Commerce – English Teacher

•     Teaching spoken English classes to first and second year university students

•     I have full responsibilities for lesson planning, assessment and grading of the spoken English course as well as the organisation of “Modern English Club” social activities.

June 2009: The Friesland School – Student Associate

•     Teaching work experience programme in a comprehensive school

•    Tasks included creating resources, helping plan lessons, assistance in classrooms and the opportunity to teach a year 7 (age 11-12) lesson.

August 2004 – January 2009 (when not at University): DSGi Currys Ltd – Sales Assistant

•     Gained experience of working towards targets and deadlines, in a sales driven atmosphere

•     Experienced dealing with large and complicated financial transactions such as credit agreements and service contracts.

•     Improved communication and customer service skills through helping customers with problems, complaints and technical issues

June 2004: Walker Morris Solicitors – Leeds – Legal Assistant

•     Carried out a number of tasks whilst shadowing a property lawyer including compiling portfolios of relevant information for acquisitions and assessing development plans for potential problems

•     Gave me an insight into the workings of a large professional firm

•     Also showed me what it would be like to work in an office environment

December 2003 – February 2004: Cooperative Supermarket – Dodworth – General Assistant

•     Worked as a general assistant in a local supermarket

•     Developed my skills in working as part of a team and under pressure, especially during the busy Christmas period.

Positions of Responsibility

Summer Party 2008 Executive Committee – Head of Marketing and Advertising

•     Organised the design production and distribution of physical and electronic marketing for a festival catering for 11,000 students

•     This involved negotiating with suppliers as well as organising and motivating a team of representatives to ensure maximum exposure of the festival to produce high ticket sales.

•     I also helped in other areas of the festival, in particular looking over and agreeing/amending legal contracts from third party agencies/suppliers and assisting with other areas of negotiation.

Derby Hall JCR Committee – Social Secretary

•     Held an elected position as Social Secretary on the University of Nottingham Derby Hall JCR between June 2007 and November 2008.

•     This involved organising events for around 300 – 400 first year students on a regular basis.

Extracurricular Activities

My main interests are based around music. I play the piano in much of my spare time, something which I find incredibly rewarding and have achieved the level of grade 7. I also enjoy an active social life based mainly around musical events. I am a keen photographer and hope to further develop this interest by attending a photography class/group. I am also interested in travelling and have used the extensive holiday periods afforded to me by my current job to travel around North East China, Thailand and Vietnam.

References

•     Dr Sue Pryce, Associate Professor, School of Politics and International Relations, University of Nottingham, NG7 2RD

•     Mark Stuart, Lecturer in British Politics, School of Politics and International Relations, University of Nottingham, NG7 2RD

Non – academic references available upon request