And so begin my last two days…
I have been working for the Retail Office for 11 months. I have been on training courses, achieved an ILM level 2 qualification, worked events and had the pleasure of getting to know many talented people who work all over the university in different departments. It has been more than I expected it to be. Working in an office has been very different to my degree days but I have learned a lot more about myself and how I work.
When I applied for this job, I didn’t know if I could do it, if I could perform to the standard required. I looked at my CV and could see I ticked every box but still felt uncertain. I felt the same when I did my GCSE’s and my A-levels. When going to university, each essay felt like a battle against The Fear. The Fear of failure, of not reaching my potential, of letting myself down.
Each time I surprised myself and achieved beyond what I thought I was capable of.
If you are good at something, acknowledge it. Build yourself up and chase your next goal, don’t wait for it to come to you. Send that application to the job you want. Start the hobby you have been putting off. Join a night class for that course you have always wanted to do. Open a savings account and save for the future. Change is scary and you might fail but that does not mean you shouldn’t try.
In the wise words of Nike: ‘Just do it’.
I realised I needed to just apply for the things I wanted and push myself rather than hold back because I had The Fear. I applied for a scholarship to Study in China and I got it.
So this September I will be travelling to China to study Chinese for a year. I know there will be challenges and I’m sure I will fail at something, but I’m going to do it anyway.
I am so grateful for everyone at the Retail Office for all the experience they have given me this year and for the lessons I have learned.
To Hannah, my predecessor, for the fantastic handover she gave me. The handbook was used every day for the first 6 months and lots since!
To Bethany, for having the best phone manners and teaching me all I know about filling e-mails in the correct way.
To Pia for the enthusiasm and the direction from someone who had experience in the role. Plenty of sound advice throughout the first few months settled my worries early on.
To Ann for the amazing dancing at the Retail/Event Durham/Catering awards and for giving excellent advice in many situations.
To Debra for being the best desk buddy I could hope to have and bouncing ideas around the office. Also, for the entertaining stories you have about being a new Mum!
And to Vicky, who’s clear leadership, attention to detail and honest feedback will be greatly missed from my working life.
I wish you all the absolute best in your future endeavours. Please keep in touch!
Over and out.
--Amelia Monks
Retail Intern 2014/2015
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