Getting closer to the summer

The library is emptying out as you all finish exams and assignments and head off for the summer so I thought I'd start this around up with some job interview tips from the Guardian -
How to avoid common interview mistakes. Most of these are pretty straightforward but it's good to be prepared, it helps you feel calm and do your best. From the FT.com, a debate on the 'MBA oath' and the ethics in your future career. It's an very interesting read. Finally two pieces from a week long series on 'Wearables' technology like Fitbit monitoring your activity levels and how it might be used in the future by your employers! Here's Day 1 - how employees felt about this idea (click through for the other entries). And this is a nice video summing up all the ways wearables could be used.

Weekly round-up Turkey, Ukraine & Shanghai

I am going with a bit of a geographical focus this week so first up an examination of Britain In Europe from the Financial Times. This examines the Pro- and Anti-Europe arguments as Britain builds to a referendum on EU membership which could have very far-reaching consequences. This interactive and in-depth feature examines Shanghai, China's business capital while this video looks at whether Ukraine deserves debt reduction after its attempts at reform. Finally why is Turkey's growth slowing, this article examines the arguments.

PG Connect and an internship opportunity,

Priya Lakhani OBE, founder of Masala/Masala and VIP panellist on PG Connect: Feed your passion this Wednesday, is looking for three interns to take on key roles in her new education technology business ‘Century Tech’ which has just secured government funding. This rare offer is exclusive to Middlesex students.

If you would like the chance to benefit from Priya’s offer, make sure you sign up to attend Wednesday’s PG Connect evening, where you will be able to hear more about this amazing internship and speak to Priya and our other guests in our post-panel networking session.

SABMiller articles forBA IBA students, Graduating and a weekly round-up

For those currently working on SABMiller here is a video from the Financial Times discussing their improved results and the impact of the current strength of the dollar. SABMiller are also changing their advertising strategy, avoiding 'lager louts' and sexist jokes in favour of appealing to a wider audience.

For those of you thinking about your group work or the future here are some interesting reads. First up the Guardian on Five Steps to the Perfect Graduate CV. We all know how competitive the job market is so here's some tips about getting ahead of the curve and writing the best possible CV to succeed. From a slightly different perspective this is Harvard Business Review on what to do if you team is letting you down. This looks more at leading a team in the work environment but it can be useful to apply these lessons to your group work now and prepare fort he future when you will be leading teams.

Continuing a theme of management and ethical behaviour,  this article, also from the Harvard Business Review, looks at why compassion is a better management technique than being tough. In short, toughness as a way of motivating an under performing team member is less likely to work than trying to understand why they are under-performing. Facebook has demanded that all their supplies pay a minimum wage of $15 an hour to ensure a rise in conditions and this HBR blog examines the case for doing exactly that, investing more money in conditions and your supply chain and how that can benefit you.

An interesting one for economists and aspiring bankers - the IMF says the Financial Sector is too big and risks another crash if the regulations do not keep up. The Saudis claim to have benefited from falling oil prices and have squeezed their high price US rivals. Finally a day in the life of  a London electric car station - are they really the future?

Week in News

As we wait to find out how well the Tories have done here are some other bits of news to distract you. Tesla is looking to transform domestic power with their innovative batteries. Global inequality is rising and this election will not do much to change it. What do you think will be the impact? Classics or Coding, Humanities or STEM to close the skills gap - here an interesting video debate on that topic. An FT special report on Wealth and Entrepreneurship and finally should Brands and advertisers embrace the selfie?

VIP Speaker Event

Booking is now open for our next VIP speaker event, PG Connect: Feed your passion, taking place on Wednesday 20 May 2015, 5:30pm in the Quad.

Want to learn how to stand out from the crowd and have a career doing the things you love? Then speak to the people who took a chance and did it for themselves! Book your free ticket here.

Join our panel…

• Gary and Allen Keery, the ‘Cereal Killer twins’ who created a media storm with the launch of their ‘breakfast cereal only’ café
• Phil Rumbol, the marketing guru creative behind the famous ‘Cadbury’s Drumming Gorilla’ advert
• Priya Lakhani, the Great British Entrepreneur Awards judge and former lawyer who lived her dream to build Indian food brand MasalaMasala
• Dr Simon Best, head of MDX’s Enterprise Development Hub (EDH) and compere for the evening

…as they discuss how you can pursue your passion, stand out from the crowd and market those great ideas whatever career path you follow. Followed by an evening of networking and nibbles with our speakers.

Part of PG Connect: our series of opportunities for MDX postgraduate students and undergraduate students interested in postgraduate study to listen to inspirational speakers and network with peers, academics and high-profile achievers.

Entry is free but you must RSVP online. Registration closes Tuesday 19 May 2015.

  

See you there

Middlesex University

Good Luck with exams and don't forget to vote (if you are eligible)

In a fortnight it is Mental Health Awareness week and there should be events going on around campus about stress and other mental health issues. Including sessions to help you relax and manage stress and anxieties around work load and exams - so make sure you go! I will post more links and events on the blog as they are publicized.  Remember is it normal to feel stress and there is nothing wrong with getting help.

In new this week, LinkedIn has become another social media company to under perform,  following in the footstep of Twitter and Yelp. Though in more positive news they have acquired Lynda.com which will make it easier for you to show you additional skills and commitment to ongoing learning and development to potential employers and recruiters. Apple Watches may be very exciting new gadgets - but some of their features don't work if you have tattooed arms... bit of a design oversight there. Another week and more Special Reports from the Financial Times, these on include a fascinating collection of video and articles on The Connected Business, taking in a range of topics including marketing and technology. Meanwhile the special report on Risk Management looks at Climate Change and terrorism. Finally an interesting look at the slowing of UK economic growth and the effect it may or may not have on the election. Finally don't forget to vote if you are eligible!