Internship!

So as part of my Events Management degree at Leeds Met University (I refuse to call it Beckett), I have to work in a placement for a year in the industry. Those that know me, know my first 6 months weren't the best. The centre where I was working didn't really have the facilities to accommodate me and the other 2 students. We would frequently go home as a result of the lack of jobs they had for us. To any one else, going home early is good news, but when you're in it to gain skills and experience, it's a complete waste of time.
In the end, I decided enough was enough. In the year I was supposed to be experiencing all of these new things in the industry I wanted to work in, I wasn't learning a thing. I needed something that was going to challenge and develop me for a career in events.
Then in December, I applied for an internship at a well known dance school in Leeds. Walking in for my interview felt like I'd stepped inside the Fame movie. Dance students were everywhere. Leaping, jumping, shouting, running around. It was like I was this weird, shy, new kid in a sea of eccentric and overly confident performers. Thankfully, I wasn't kept waiting too long.
Long story short, I got the internship and I started at the beginning of January. In the space of 1 week I had learned a lot more than in the 6 months I spent at my other placement.

     I have my own desk!

Whilst I have painted a pretty bad picture of my first internship, I still met some lovely people and gained 2 good friends from my course who I look forward to seeing again in September when we're back at University.

2014!

I want to try and explain 2014 in a few words to you.

But to be perfectly honest,

I can't.

The best way for me to explain how my 2014 was is to skip back a few years.

Summer 2012

I discovered that I hadn't got into University, which was something I have wanted to do since I was a titch. This was the day before my family went on holiday without me for the first time. At the time I was working at my first job. My boss was a typical hot headed Italian; very passionate about his work. This meant that if you did anything slightly wrong then he would let you know about it. On the day my family went away, I went to work. I was feeling so down I just kept making silly mistakes, resulting in me getting a good telling off.

It doesn't sound that bad to anyone else, but for me, this was definitely the lowest point in my life so far. I felt like a failure for not getting into University then because I felt like I couldn't function without my family, I felt like even more of a failure.

And the cherry on top of the cake: I had just had my braces put on.

2013

My braces come off. My boyfriend, James and I go to Mexico. I go see my absolute number ones at Manchester Arena: ARCTIC MONKEYS. I also decide that this year I will rejoin my family on holiday to Mallorca.

I had re applied to University and had only recieved one offer from Leeds Metropolitan University for Events Management. However, the course requirements were 300 UCAS points.

I had 200.

'Here we go again' I thought. 'Another failed and wasted year'. 

I left it. And eventually forgot all about University and carried on working at the restaurant.

On results day, the day before I went to Mallorca, I see everyone's happy statuses on Facebook about going to University. So I logged on to UCAS to get the closure that I wouldn't be getting in yet again, and I see;

'Congratulations! Your application to study Events Management at Leeds Metropolitan University has been accepted!'

WHAT.

I hadn't done my student finance application. I hadn't planned for this in anyway whatsoever.

So naturally, I ran upstairs to my mum (who was still asleep as it was only 8am) and practically screamed in her face.

I suddenly felt so proud of myself and so incredibly happy. Like I had finally achieved something.

So after stressing about my student finance and getting my head around it all, we jetted off to sunny Mallorca the next day and when I came back, started a whole new adventure.

2014

I finish first year with a 2:1 overall. I go see my most favourite comedian, Lee Evans perform live. 12 year old me buzzes with excitement as I also go to see McBusted live. I land myself my first retail job where I meet some of my most favourite people in the world. Northern School of Contemporary Dance hire me as their Events and Marketing Intern for my placement year. I go to Salou, and I also go on my family holiday to Mallorca again - but this time James comes with us. I get drunk so many times and make an absolute fool of myself in the process as I celebrate so many different things and meet so many new people on the way, 2012 is completely forgotten.

All in all, I know this post is a bit lengthy just to tell you how good 2014 was, but it just goes to show what a difference a year can make. Summer 2013 is when everything kicked off for me and it just keeps getting better. I'm excited to see what 2015 brings - I wonder where I'm at this time next year!

A day at Total Warrior

As i'm studying Events Management at Uni, I try to volunteer at as many events as possible.

A couple of weeks ago I volunteered for a day at Total Warrior. It was so fun! Definitely the most enjoyable work experience i've had at an event so far. I even got a free jacket!

I got a t-shirt too but I much prefer the jacket. And I got free food. Free food is key.

So my position was an obstacle marshall. I just had to make sure that people were using the obstacle correctly and safely. My obstacle was the trenches. So far it sounds a bit boring, but shouting at the competitors like an army general kept me occupied! And I could tell it was motivating them.

All the contestants needed to do is jump into that lovely watery mud, and climb over the little hill using the rope (at this point they had tackled 25 obstacles and 10km). Luckily I had no injuries to deal with! 

Yeah. This happened.

Just a few more of the obstacles!

So if you're thinking of volunteering at an event, I'd definitely recommend this one! It's so fun!