Bio
Details: 24 from a military family, UK
Imperial Course: MSci Physics
Optional Modules: Attributes and Aspirations
Previous Education: BSc Astronomy and Physics, University of Durham, 2:1
Clubs and Societies: Handball
Tags: Home, PGR, FoNS, Phys
Motivations and Frustrations
Motivations
Sam enjoys physics and wants to learn more. He is not sure about what he wants to do once he graduates but is hoping that throughout his studies, he’ll find career options that will excite him. He has come to Imperial because of its good reputation but also to be closer to his long-term partner who lives in London. His main aim is to find a career doing something he enjoys that will allow him to settle down and have a good lifestyle.
Frustrations
Sam is unsure what he wants to do for his career and thinks that he should know by now. Many of his friends from Durham have started their new jobs and he feels a bit left behind. He is worried that he doesn’t have much work experience on his CV as he spent most of his holidays with his family or his partner.
AA Journey
Sam uses Attributes and Aspirations for FoNS the sections in bold refer to the units he takes.
In his previous degree Sam really benefited from extra support to help with his mental health and wellbeing. He has already contacted his faculty senior welfare tutor to find out what his department can offer and uses AA3 for FoNS – About Imperial to find what other support is available.
Sam is very aware that his master’s is only a year and he will need to find a job quickly. He starts by working on his network to see where there might be opportunities from his previous contacts. In DTS1 – Networking he starts to build his network by looking for careers fairs to attend and professional societies he may join. Sam learned about a tool called MindView and uses this to draw out his network, which you can see in the link above. From EE5 for FoNS – Practical Tools he also learned about ‘Forest’ a tool to help concentration.
CP1 for MED – Networking also encouraged Sam to think about how to approach networking events like careers fairs, the sort of questions that he could ask employers, and how to politely leave a conversation.
In EE2 for FoNS – Decision Making Sam is working at the Stroke Association but still looking for opportunities. This unit follows him in making some decisions throughout the day, from what to have for breakfast, to whether he should apply for a new job, and explores the way those decisions are made. Then in EE4 for FoNS – Goal Setting Sam decides to set up a new Handball Club as he misses being part of one since leaving university. This unit explores SMART goals and how they can be set to make new projects work well.