1. Employability Society News Issue 2 Dec
2015
UNIVERSITY OF EAST LONDON
Season’s Greetings
Members! I’ll bet when
you began this
semester you did not
realise how quickly the
end of the semester
would arrive! I know
there are some
assignments still to
submit through the
break and for some of
us there will also be
exams first few weeks
of January 2016 but it
will be nice to spend a
little more time with
family and friends. For
‘tis the season to be
jolly’, for goodwill and
with all that is
happening within the
world right now we
hope for peace.
Try to remember to
always be doing that
which builds you and
helps you develop
positively. Not just in
what you hope to
become and achieve in
your chosen careers or
professions but also as
citizens wherever you
live. There is much to
be involved in while at
university if you chose
to engage in civic
engagement initiatives,
however, often, there is
much that can be doe
to help those on our
own doorsteps at
home! This season,
when there is much
abundance on show,
try to look out for those
who have not, who
lack, as they could use
you help or support.
This may not always
be obvious to spot but
if you see a need I
hope you will do your
best to meet it or
support your local
organisation in trying to
meet it. Try also to
remember your loved
ones who have been
support while you have
been making your
studies a priority this
semester. Your
presence makes a nice
present!

2. Martin Slark
CEO, Molex
.
Employability Society
UEL Alumni Role
Model 2015
Believe me when I tell
you fellow society
members that in
missing this man’s
guest lecture on
Monday, 7th
December
2015 you did
yourselves a great
disservice. Now, I do
understand there were
lectures and seminars
to attend, assignments
to submit etc etc etc…
We are busy people
right? But if there was
ever a time you need
to prioritise this was it.
Not only was Martin an
interesting person, his
career was a great
model for our own
hopes and dreams for
the future and he
generously gave tips
and advice about how
to work one’s way ‘up
the ladder’.
I shared some of this
on our LinkedIn page
to which I provide the
online link here:
https://www.linkedin.co
m/pulse/martin-slark-
employability-society-
uel-alumni-role-model-
society
Maybe you felt you
didn’t know who Martin
was so it was not
important to attend.
Well, then, this is a
perfect opportunity for
me to explain the
importance of making
sure to do your
research. Research
is an important
employability skill as
well. For when you
apply to the dream job
of your life you sure will
not tell me you will
simply attend the
interview without
having carried out the
necessary background
research of that
company, the CEO, the
Director etc? Then
exercising this skill
whilst you are still at
university is just as
important. Had you
done your research
you would have known
that not only is Martin
the CEO of a large
multinational company
but that he is devoted
in his support of our
university and we all
benefit from this in
some way. You may
even come across
some of his books in
our libraries.
If you had not
understood why we as
a society were giving
him an award then let
me start with an
apology. I should have
made this clear. Martin
is all the things above
but more importantly
Martin was once one of
us! Yes, he is an
Alumni. SO more than
any other CEO in the
world, whoever they
may be however
successful they may,
we are the most
fortunate of universities
to have one of our
own. There are hard
working ambitious
people who could work
incredibly hard to be in
a position where they
can finally be in the
same room as the
CEO and have the
opportunity to have him
pass the kind of tips
Martin shared with us
who attended. Do you
see? Here is another
employability skill: the
ability to understand
and value the
opportunity/
opportunities
provided or which you
find and use them!

3. They are not easily
found so don’t dismiss
them so easily friends.
Well fortunately for us,
Martin will return at
some point in the
following year. The
Employability society
intends to ensure this
time round we
represent, as students
who are ambitious with
dreams to become
truly employable
people in the future.
And hopefully we will
do our best to guide
others in the
understanding of the
importance of
attending talks and
listening to the rare
and great advice men
like Martin give. It is
my hope we will pledge
our support to our
leaders in getting
fellow students to
realise the importance
too and showing them
how they will benefit
from such
opportunities.
We want to encourage
UEL leaders to
continue in their efforts
to bring exceptional
speakers from their
networks like Martin to
the benefit of students.
When their efforts go
unappreciated and not
taken advantage of it
can bring a ‘fatigue’
which might see them
stop this in time. That
cannot happen
Employability Society!
We need to do what
we can for ourselves,
our fellow students, for
UEL and for speakers
like Martin by pledging
our support to
somehow bridge this
gap! I already know
this will happen. You
are already proving
what excellent
members you are
through the many
things we have taken
on as a society in the
short time we have
existed! You are to be
congratulated but we
can do more and more
besides. I am looking
forward to what is
coming from the
society in the year
ahead!
But more about
Martin’s talk last
Monday. I came away
from it truly inspired.
Here are 5 top tips
Martin gave for a
balanced and
successful career.
1. Get A Mentor!
Martin advises it is
essential to speak to
someone who is in a
position to help keep
you directed towards
your goals. He says
ideally this should not
really be someone you
report to but someone
who will not be afraid
to let you know you are
going of track.
2. Change Jobs
Every 3-5 Years!
Now hear what Martin
is saying here. He is
not saying you
necessarily have to
leave the organisation
you work for if you are
truly happy however
you should try to move
within that organisation
between departments if
possible to advance in
your career.
3. Get
International
Experience!
You as members
should not be surprised
to see this here. It’s in
our society charter! To
get a global
perspective. You all
know the world
operates much more
on a global level now
and Martin stresses
where possible look for
and find opportunities
to get international
experience as this
helps you to stand out
to prospective
employers of
multinational and
global firms and
organisations.
4. Get A Hobby!
This one might have
surprised you and yet
again it might not. For

4. we all know the old
adage or do we? “All
work and no play
makes Jack (or Jill) a
dull boy (or girl)!” It’s
important to keep a
balance between work
and something you do
for yourself says Martin
who also stresses that
probably more
important than
wellbeing from
enjoying a hobby and
number one above all
things is taking care of
your health. Actually
he places Good
Health far and
above all that is on this
list and everything.
Because, as he says
quite rightly, without
good health nothing
else can be enjoyed to
its fullest!
5. Give
Something
Back!
Well Martin should
know more than
anyone how important
this is. He doesn’t just
make a show of giving
back. This man was
here in person doing
just that! He doesn’t
need to have left the
comfort of what must
be a really plush office
to give back. He could
simply instruct others
to give in his name.
But year on year he
returns to UEL to meet
with our leaders and
also to meet and talk
with us students
himself! And Martin
and his wife and family
do more besides where
they live and they are
involved in so many
other charitable events.
They believe in giving
back and do it’s clear!
“If you’re lucky
enough to do well in
life and reach the top,
it’s your responsibility
to send the elevator
back down!” Kevin
Spacey
Martin had many more
tips and so much
information that was
not only useful to us in
considering our future
but I tell you some of
what he said helped
with my Competitive
Advantage From
Innovation assignment!
Getting learning and
knowledge from the
CEO’s perspective!
What a rare and
unique opportunity!
But if you want to know
more…you’ll have to
wait for his next visit
and hear the man for
yourselves!
So, the Employability
Society at UEL thanks
Martin Slark once
again and thanks him
for accepting our small
token of
acknowledgment and
appreciation from the
students’ perspective
for all that he does.
Congratulations
Harry Rodell!
(Pictured above with
Guest Presenter of Award
Sherry Dixon, Journalist,
Motivational/Life Speaker)
Well done Harry on
your fantastic
achievement! Harry
completed his
Professional
Development Award
which he did with
CaSE (Careers and
Student Employability)
and won an award for
being the most
employable student at
UEL as well as being
the most points overall
for L5 students at UEL!
You make us proud
Harry. He also earns
himself 40 points on
the Employ Program
on top of this which will
hopefully put him in the
running for more
awards there too. Well
deserved!
It is this sort of effort
and importance that

5. Harry places on his
employability which is
most admirable and
which makes him a
great leader within the
society. When our new
channel launches soon
look out for Harry’s
video interview in
which he shares a little
bit more about his
achievement. Harry
does so much already.
He studies hard, works
hard, networks and
gains experience by
engaging in programs
and initiatives like the
PDA and Employ. You
too can take part in
these programs so doo
look at the
employability page on
Moodle for more
details.
Congratulations again
Harry!
Best Wishes all!
Maria.
Dr Ruth
Cherrington
Says Well
Done!
(Dr Ruth Cherrington,
Empolyabiility Director,
School of Business &
Law)
Dear Employability
Society members!
I’ve been asked by
Maria to say a few
words so here goes!
The most important
words I feel
compelled to write
are – Very well done!
You’ve set up a
brand new society in
a short space of
time. You’ve
appointed all your
officers and have
already held several
events. You’re on
LinkedIn, Facebook
and Twitter as well
as Youtube …...
Goodness me, that is
a lot of activity and a
huge social media
presence. You’ve all
be very busy so
congratulations and
keep up the good
work.
It’s very much your
society, to make
things happen that
you want to happen.
I’m here to support
you as much as
possible and to
publicise your work
and activities widely.
Being involved in this
society is of course a
wonderful
employability activity
in itself, something
you should be
documenting in your
EMPLOY portfolio if
you are in the SBL.
Attending activities
and events can earn
you EMPLOY points
as well as giving you
great experience of
networking and
taking on
responsibilities,
getting work
experience and
gaining more self-
confidence. And you
are helping other
students as well as
by bringing them on
board and spreading
the employability
message.
Earning a degree
these days is still
an achievement but
employers are
looking for
something more
than this. Being
active in the
Employability Society
will give you this
added extra that will
help catch their

6. attention and make
them want you in
their team.
Students often ask
me how can they
gain some work
experience, how can
they apply some of
the many things they
learn during their
modules. Being part
of this society is a
useful way of gaining
that experience, as is
participating in
EMPLOY and
CaSe’s Professional
Development Award.
What you’ve done so
far is impressive….
I’d like to help you
progress things even
further in the New
Year!
I wish you a peaceful
and restful time over
the holiday period.
Time for reflection as
we approach the
middle of the winter
and a new year. I’m not
a great believer in New
Year resolutions but
let’s resolve to have
more employability
activities going on
and really
highlighting to others
what capable and
talented students we
have!
And don’t forget to
keep updating your
EMPLOY
documents! I’m
expecting quite a few
students to be
receiving Certificates
in Career
Development in May
2016!
Season’s Greetings to
one and all!
Ruth
of The
Employability
Society!
To echo Ruth dear
fellow members it is
true looking back that
we achieved quite a bit
in a short space of time
and I am excited for
what more we can and
will achieve for
ourselves, the society,
fellow students at UEL
and our community in
2016!
But on this journey it is
important to
acknowledge and
thank those who have
been in the
background lending
their support to us as
well as Ruth whom we
are deeply grateful for.
Thank you Ruth for
your passion, drive and
belief in us!
To our friends we say a
big thank you! With
you all in our corner we
can only go from
strength to strength!
(Dr Ian Bathgate, Director
of Business Development
and Centre for Innovation
and Enterprise, UEL)
Ian has been friend of
the society along with
Ruth from the very
start! The idea to
begin the society
originating with them
both! Thank you Ian for
also supporting us as
you do ‘behind the
scenes’. It is
acknowledged and
much appreciated.

7. (Richard Queree, UEL
Student Union & Radio
Co-ordinator)
Richard was one of the
first of our friends to
reach out to us and
offered his support for
our YouCan project.
Richard helped with
getting permission for
campus collections and
has pledged to
continue support with
that when we resume
the project in 2016.
Thank you Richard!
(Aziz Mohamed Shyllon,
Business Development &
Alumni)
Since hearing about
our society Aziz has
lent his support as both
the society and he
explore whether there
are any ‘synergies’
between oour goals
and aims. Whilst at the
moment the society
membership is closed
to current students
there is a possibility for
opening membership
up to alumni so that
when we all leave UEL
there is still a
connection. Thank you
Aziz for your help and
time you’ve given to
the society this
semester.
Andrea Popeau Thomas,
Careers Consultant,
CaSE)
(Nadine Lewis, Careers
Consultant, CaSE)
Thank you Andrea and
Nadine for also
reaching out to our
society and providing
the platforms to speak
to students about the
society. We really
appreciated the
opportunity to get to
talk with students
about what we are
trying to achieve..
Thank you involving us
in your Employability
Week program. We
look forward to
perhaps having an
opportunity to do this
again with you in 2016.
(Joseph Crook,
Volunteering Manager,
CaSE)
Joseph, our new friend,
thank you so much for
such a positive
meeting! We look
forward to working with
you in 2016.
It is here I would like to
say a thank you to my
personal network of
friends who on hearing
what we were trying to
achieve have
supported the society
through me. Some
have gone so far as to
donate in resources we
could ill afford since
had no resources of
our own. Thank you to
those silent few.
I thank you all on
behalf of the society!

8. Maria.
To my fellow leaders of
the Soicety,
“I can no other answer
make,
But thanks, and thanks,
and ever thanks…”
William Shakespeare
(Sam Masaba, Vice
President)
Who can believe we
have survived the most
important part of the
semester with
assignments and
exams. I know too well
the stress that comes
with not knowing if
you’ll make that
deadline and whether
you have studied the
right areas for your
exams. Whether so
and so has done their
bit for group of if they
will even turn up for the
group presentation!
Stress, tension and
sometimes a lack of
sleep!
But if you keep a cool
head and push on you
get ot this part of the
semester when you
can finally breathe a
little, look up and relax
with student colleagues
before taking a break
and spending some
quality time with family
friends.
Reflecting back it is
incredible how much
wee have achieved.
All of us. We have a
lot to be proud of and I
am sure in 2016 we will
have much more to be
proud of again.
Remembering that all
this that we do,
although time
consuming, is useful to
strengthening our
employability and
helping us stand out
from the crowd.
Keep in mind that at
the end of the day
standing out from the
sea of graduates who
you will enter the ‘real’
world with will help
you.
Wishing you all a
restful break and I look
forward to catching up
with you all in 2016.
(Theresa Yemisi
Williams, PR & Events)
Oh yes! Stress is right
Sam! But it is all to be
expected while we are
at university.
Especially if we want to
excel. And it is not a
stress we cannot
handle. When those
results are finally
revealed there is a
sense of achievement
and knowing that you
edge yet nearer and
nearer to your goals.
I continue to work on
the pamphlet.
Obviously doing so
when I can afford the
time amidst my many
commitments and of
course when it comes
to assignments etc. I
make these a priority.
But I will continue to
update you on how that
is going and let you
know when it is ready
for the hub and for any
of you who want copies
to hand to friends.
A joyous break to you
all and meet you next
year for a fantastic
2016!

9. (Faiza Maqbul,
Treasurer)
We don’t actually have
a budget as yet so it is
a little difficult for me to
update you much
about this. I can tell
you that though there
was some thinking
about a fee
introduction it has been
decided this will be
reviewed in the new
academic year of
2016-2017. This
means that much of
what we want and
have to achieve will
require us to raise
funds together
somehow. While we
appreciate the
generosity of resources
from friends some
members and friends
of the society we will
need to be resourceful
ourselves as much as
we can. And I know
we can!
I too continue to be
very busy with my
many ventures which
add to my
employability skills. I
look for opportunities to
do this and encourage
you to do the same.
My efforts have been
recently acknowledged
in some circles and
while I appreciate the
adulation I know that
what I do builds my
future. So do start to
think about
strengthening your
skills in the areas you’d
most like to see
develop.
Have a good break all.
I too look forward to
seeing what exciting
things lie in store for us
in 2016!
(Harry Rodell, Marketing
& Social Media)
Wow! Thanks to those
who turned for the
group photo. We are
working on these and
will be sharing these
with you before we
place on LinkedIn. It
was a great turn out.
Well done. A visual
presence is very
important in putting
yourselves out there to
again, stand out from
the crowd.
So let me then take
this opportunity to ask
you to consider the
benefits on crating a
digital presence.
Statistics show that
year on year this is
where most essential
information and
interaction will take
place. Digitally.
Especially through
social media. In this
day and age to not
have a social media
profile sets you back
and may give an
impression you are not
quite up to date or
current.
It would be a shame to
have an excellent
profile which no-one
ever knows about or
sees because you
decide to shy away
from social media.
Yes there is much to
be wary of on the
internet and you must
take care but it is
important to realise you
need to be me more
visible there.
LinkedIn is a great site
to start. The
Employability Society
has a page here.
uk.linkedin.com/in/e
mployabilitysociety
If you are on LinkedIn
already why don’t you
connect with us there.
We members know
each other a little
better now and can
genuinely endorse
each others skills to
others out there. And if
you are not on Linkedin
but want help then look
out for step by step
help coming in 2016.
And if you literally need
someone to talk you

10. through the set up
process then contact
u1322368@uel.ac.uk
and we can look at
that. There’s no time
like now and we can
help each other get
things like this done.
The new youtube
channel will be up and
running some time in
the next semester.
These are videos we’ll
be sharing about our
activities and
interviews etc. Rather
exciting. Do look at
our facebook page too
where we will start to
place tips, advice and
news. Twitter too is a
great way to engage.
But so far, for the short
time we have been
operating, we are on
track.
Thank you all and I am
looking forward to
enjoying more society
activities with you in
2016!
(Venessa Vanriel, Social
Director/Secretary)
As Harry mentioned
turn out to the last
meeting was great.
Thank you to those
who were able to make
it and for those who
couldn’t we completely
understand
competing/conflicting
priorities. We hope to
see you next time. The
minutes of that meeting
will be shared with you
ahead of our next
meeting. We are
planning this for some
time in the last week of
January 2016 so
please look out for
information we will
send out regarding that
meeting early in the
new year.
As always please email
u1322368@uel.ac.uk
to let me have items
you’d like to see
discussed at the next
meeting. Let me
encourage you to put
your suggestions
forward. The meeting
is for you so we want
to make sure what is
being discussed is
what you want t know
about.
Well, our society
Christmas cards
arrived and Maria and I
have been sending
these out in between
assignments and we
hope to have all posted
by the end of this
week.
Don’t forget our festive
social on:
Wednesday, 16th
December 2016,
Room 2.40, USS
You are most warmly
welcome! Do try to
pop in if you are able.
There is much in the
pipeline for 2016 and it
all very exciting. I am
looking forward to it all.
Wishing you all a merry
festive break and a
happy new year 2016!
Epilogue
Dear Members,
There is much I the
pipe line for next
semester involving
your personal
development and
helping each other with
building our
employability for the
future. I know you all
want that above all the
same as me, as each

11. other. It is true that we
have done a lot in a
small amount of time
and we can do more
besides! We will build
on that. But it is my
hope that our growth
will come from the core
of who we are as
individuals. That we
develop in ourselves
the things which matter
most ie integrity,
honesty, kindness,
gentleness, peace etc.
We can do much to
raise our profile but let
us not be those who
are concerned with
how we appear
‘cosmetically’ to those
outside the society but
rather how what we
dream for ourselves
can be done in a way
which builds others
too. Yes, we want to
project an image of
how strong our abilities
and capabilities are to
show how employable
we are to the outside
world but let us ensure
this image we project
matches who we are
inside. At the core.
I’ve no doubt we will do
so easily especially
having met many of
you. You are simply
amazing! You are
proof of the rich talent
that is within UEL.
Lets explore and
exhibit more of that in
2016!
Thank you so much
you wonderful
members of the
Employability Society.
Your President
uk.linkedin.com/in/employ
abilitysociety
@empsocuel
www.facebook.com/emplo
yabilitysociety