What not to miss in Interpol 2015-16 - Extra curricular activities and opportunities to enhance employability
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What not to miss in Interpol
2015-16
Extra curricular activities
and opportunities to enhance
employability
Extra curricular activities
and opportunities to enhance
employability
Crisis Games
International Student Exchange programme
Placement Scheme
Careers Advice
Student Societies
Staff Student Consultative Committee
Opportunities of a life-time! As an Interpol student, you have the chance to join in with the wealth of extra-curricular activities and opportunities to enhance your employability on offer within the Department. What’s going on? International travel – Exchange programmes Work experience - advice from the Careers Service Hands-on experience of political life – the Placement schemes Exciting role-play experience – Crisis Games Journalism experience – Interstate Magazine Creative organization – the Interpol Society and the Aberystwyth Welsh Politics Society Representation and Participation – the Staff/Student Consultative Committee All of these activities look great on your CV, but more than that, they give you new experiences and plenty of opportunity to expand your talents – plus they are a great way to make friends and have fun! They will enrich your time as a student, expand your range of skills and boost your confidence. All of this will be rewarding – and help you to be more likely to get a job and more successful in your work. Who can get involved? These activities are open to everyone – absolutely everyone! – who is interested. Some activities have limited places – like the exchanges and placement schemes – and we select students to take part. However, we don’t choose people on the basis of marks alone. Rather, we weigh up who is most likely to gain most from the experience, who will cope well with this new challenge and, take into account who has demonstrated that they are an enthusiastic and diligent student for instance by attending well, working hard and submitting work on time. How can I find out more? Departmental activities – keep an eye out for emails inviting you to meetings Student-led activities – see them at the Freshers’ Fair and look for emails too!
Why should I take part in these activities?
These activities will be lots of fun, exciting and personally rewarding.
They will also give you an opportunity to develop lots of new skills and experiences, which are potentially
attractive and useful to employers.
EMPLOYABILITY
This is the term used to describe
the skills, understandings and
personal attributes that help
graduates to be more likely to gain
a job and be successful in their
chosen careers. Employers are
looking for graduates who stand
out, because of the range of skills
and experiences that they have.
So take charge of your enhancing own employability, and make sure you have more
than a degree when applying for jobs or going for promotion in your future career.
Here's what past students have said about what they got out of extra-curricular activities in Interpol...
Parliamentary Placement Scheme
‘My Welsh Assembly Placement was an unforgettable experience. Not only
did I have a chance to meet high-class politicians (and partially participate in
high-class politics) but it gave me experience which will be essential for
every International Politics student's future career.’
Jakub Janas
International Student Exchange Programme
‘Having classes with people from all over the globe made my modules more interesting,
particularly when discussing political issues. Whilst on exchange I learnt more about
different countries, people's attitude to politics and saw how other cultural issues differ.
This is an experience which I felt to be invaluable’.
Lucy Sharman- Davies
Crisis Games
‘The Crisis game was one of the best things I’ve done at Aber all year; it was just so
much fun!
In reality, the Crisis game is so much more. By going on the crisis game you will
obviously learn about the situation, as in a way you are experiencing it. Everyone who
goes shares the same interests and takes the event seriously. More importantly,
everyone enters into the spirit of the game and has a lot of fun doing it’.
Caitlin Smith
CRISIS GAME
UNIVERSITY OF WALES, GREGYNOG
The International Politics Crisis Game is held in November at Gregynog,
near Newtown, which was the family home of Lord Davies, the founder of
the Department. The Crisis Games are among the most popular activities
in the Department, During the course of the simulation students learn
about aspects of international politics which cannot be taught in lectures
and seminars, especially the constraints which political leaders face in
responding to various crises.
Students are given a crisis ‘scenario’ which is based on recent global
events. Participants are then allocated to one of several teams and assume
the role of a particular national leader, government department,
transnational corporation, NGO, international organisation or paramilitary
group. Students must keep ‘in character’ with the aim of simulating, as
realistically as possible, the interactions of various international actors. To
keep the players up-to-date with the moves of other teams, a group of
students run a live newsroom and broadcast regular news bulletins, with
students acting as newsreaders and interviewers.
The 2015 Crisis Game will be based on an international summit on the
Mediterranean refugee crisis:
One of the dominant stories in the European and international media in
recent months has been the surge in the numbers of refugees both
attempting to cross the Mediterranean to enter the European Union (EU)
and in the numbers of those dying in the process. The reasons for the
refugees’ desperate efforts to reach Europe include a need for political
stability and better economic conditions absent from the Middle East and
Northern Africa (MENA) and Central Africa, the most common points of
origin of international migrants. In the face of this mounting human
tragedy, governments directly concerned by the crisis have responded to
an invitation of the UN General secretariat to a summit aiming at finding a
solution to the crisis. You will be the key players in the summit, playing the
role of important international organisations, states and non-
governmental organisations in an attempt to reach a common solution.
You will need to decide whether to accept the common plan, seek to alter
its text to make it more suitable to your objectives, or to turn your back on
the entire issue and hope that your state does not suffer the consequences
of your inaction. It will not be easy, different groups will seek different
objectives, but the UN is depending on you to reach a solution.
30 November – 2 December 2015
Application forms available from the Department Office on:
Monday 5 October 2015
Price: Free!
Limited places so please apply early
INTERNATIONAL STUDENT EXCHANGE PROGRAMME
What is it?
We run academic exchanges to a wide range of countries,
including: Australia, Canada, China, Finland, France, Germany, the
Netherlands, Poland, Russia, Spain and Turkey.
Interpol students study abroad for one semester of their
second year.
Modules studied abroad do count towards your final
degree classification, though with a lower weighting.
For those not doing a language-based degree, all tuition is
in English.
Who can participate?
The scheme is open to first year students only; the
exchanges take place in year two.
Students who are required to take their compulsory year
abroad.
All Interpol students can apply, including joint and
major/minor students.
There are limited places, so students attend an interview
and those participating in the exchange programme are
selected from this pool.
We are looking for people who have proven that they are
enthusiastic and passionate about studying international
politics, can work hard and diligently under pressure, who
have good interpersonal skills and who are capable of
adapting quickly to studying in a very different
environment. Let us know if you have particular language
skills or intellectual/ future career interests in particular
countries, though of course we might not be able to place
everyone exactly where they would ideally like to go.
How can I find out more?
We will hold a meeting on 28 October in the Main Hall,
International Politics Building, 2.15pm where you can get all the
details. Keep your eyes peeled for an email reminder.
Do you need career advice?
Are you interested in doing an internship but don't know what the options
are?
Internships - how to find and get one!
An overview of what's out there, what's involved in applying for an internship, and
what makes for a strong application.
14 October 2015, 2-3pm,
Main Hall, International Politics Building
Come and talk to Bev
Herring
from the Careers Service!
bch@aber.ac.uk
Improving your CV and writing strong job applications?
28 October 3.00-4.00pm
Main Hall, International Politics Building
Employability Events Institute of Geography,
History, Politics and Psychology
Guest speakers – a series of presentations from people in private, public and 3rd sector
organizations which focus on working within a particular sector. These talks will include an
overview of essential skills, application tips and question-and-answer sessions.
Careers sessions - Sessions on writing your CV, presentation and interview skills.
Relive the experience competition - open to all undergraduate students in IGHPP. You are
invited to submit a report based on work experience activities that you have undertaken
during your time as a student at Aberystwyth University. The prize for the winning entry will
be £125 of Amazon vouchers, and winners will also receive feedback on
their submissions from a panel of careers and employability experts.
Alumni mentoring scheme - your opportunity to talk directly with IGHPP graduates, find out
directly from them about their work role, the sector in which they work, and what skills are
needed to succeed in a particular career.
PLACEMENT SCHEMES
What are they?
Students get hands-on experience of political life, assisting
political representatives in the House of Commons or the
National Assembly for Wales.
Students work in the office of a serving Member of
Parliament or Welsh Assembly Member for between 4
and 6 weeks during the summer (after your exams and
before their summer break).
The work typically includes writing press releases and
dealing with constituency matters, but also includes
attending events (sometimes prestigious!) and in the
past students have even been on the pre-election
campaign trail.
Who can participate?
The scheme is open to second year students only, the
placements take place at the end of year two.
There are limited places, so students attend an interview
and are selected from this pool.
We are looking for people who have proven that they are
enthusiastic and passionate about studying international
politics, can work hard and diligently under pressure, who have
good interpersonal skills and who are capable of adapting
quickly to working in this very different environment. Let us
know if you have a particular interest in a career in politics – but
be aware, you might be placed with someone who has a very
different political opinion to your own!
How can I find out more?
We will hold a meeting on 28 October in the Main Hall,
International Politics Building, 4.00pm where you can get all the
details. Keep your eyes peeled for an email reminder.STAFF STUDENT CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE
This committee plays a vital role in departmental life because it is a direct connection between students
and staff. The SSCC gives us a sense of student opinion, and we often use it to gauge opinion and form
focus groups which feed into key policy developments (such as new degree schemes or employability
strategies). The Committee meets at least once a semester. The SSCC:
Allows students to suggest ideas, raise queries, identify problems and help us to develop new
initiatives.
Also allows us to explain why we do things the way we do, and to let students know about
important new developments in the department.
Who can participate?
Any student can stand for election. There are posts representing: first year; second year; third year; Welsh
medium post; combined honours; international student; exchange student. Representatives are in post for
one year and may stand for re-election.
Candidates should supply their name, representation category and 50 word ‘manifesto’ to Glesni
Davies (glr@aber.ac.uk)
Nominations open on Thursday 24 September and closes midday Thursday 1 October
Electronic elections take place on Monday 5 October
Results are released Tuesday 6 October.
All new reps will have training, organised by the Guild of Students
Further details are available on the ‘About Interpol’ module on Blackboard.
When are the meetings?
First meeting: Wednesday 25 November 2015, 2.00pm.
Second meeting: Wednesday 24 February, 2016, 2.00pm.
Third meeting: Wednesday 4 May 2016, 2.00pm.
How can I contact my rep?
Your representative’s names are on Blackboard, plus we will circulate emails from the reps, and they will
hold surgeries to gather your ideas in preparation for the SSCC meetings.INTERNATIONAL POLITICS SOCIETY
Through a vast array of activities, events, socials, meals and various others; the
International Politics Society (IPS) at Aberystwyth are a group of like-minded people
interested in domestic and foreign affairs. It’s open to those enrolling on the
International Politics course, but also anyone with any interest in politics. And
even then, that doesn't even explain what we're fully about! We're a close knit society
who enjoy anything from sitting in the Union watching the US Presidential election
whilst gradually working our way through the bar, sitting on the beach with a fire until
sunset; evening meals with friends; anything! It doesn't have to be about politics 24/7 but that is what first
and foremost brings us together as a united group!
For those members who are enrolled on the course, we provide a mentoring system to help settle you in
and get through those deadlines when things get tough; a book exchange to keep the costs of studying and
equipment at an affordable level; and revision classes away from the formalities of the class room with open
discussion to pool ideas before exams to learn and help each other through the important times of the year.
We have a good balance of work and play and we want to see every single one of our members excel and
achieve! Academics aren't everything whilst you're here but they are important. We seek to provide a fun and
enjoyable element to your time at Aberystwyth, creating those ever lasting memories whilst providing help
when you need it. It's not all about politics and it's not all about work! If you don't believe us, come find us in
Fresher's and we'll show you!
Your Committee Representatives:
Owain Hughes Samantha Barlow Mikey Rose
President Treasurer Secretary
Clare Tevlin Sam Poynder Mark Norton
Academic Secretary Social Secretary Events SecretaryEST. 1965 ISSN 2051-6932
INTERSTATE
JOURNAL OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
/ SIWRNAL MATERION RHYNGWLADOL
If you would like to join Interstate’s editorial team,
please contact
interstate1965@gmail.com
Interstate is available to download for free from
www.interstate1965.wordpress.com
Aberystwyth Amnesty
International Society
INTERSTATE1965Amnesty is a small group of likeminded
students raising awareness and money for
Human Rights. We are a very sociable
group, going on trips, out on socials and the
like. No prior experience required.
Opportunities in the first semester include
the potential to attend rallies, organise high
profile guest speakers, and go to Amnesty
Student Conference. Join us as we fight to
defend the World's human rights and make
the Earth a fairer place for all! See
how your academic studies affect the world
beyond the lecture theatre! We meet
weekly, exact day decided in consultation
with our members. First meeting 1st
October, meet outside the Arts Centre 7pm,
followed by a social (Theme: White t-shirt).
Contact for further details,
email scty114@aber.ac.uk
Aberystwyth Crisis
Game Society
Modeled on the highly successful department
games, CGS is now in its 4th year! We
organise monthly crisis games of a day’s
duration, held in Old College. Past
scenarios include NATO vs Warsaw Pact,
Chinese Leadership Contest, and
Intelligence Agencies vs Terrorist Groups. A
great way to meet new people, have fun, and
learn excellent transferable skills. (And most
importantly to our members, learn how to
destroy the world!) First Game, 3rd October,
10am in Old College. First Social 29th
September, 9pm in The White Horse
(Formerly Varsity). Find us on Facebook,
Aberystwyth Crisis Games Society, for more
details.Join The Society! Oldest society on campus, having existed since the 1890s. We are not exclusively for International Politics, but we have very strong links with the department and traditionally Interpol students do very well. We are one of the biggest and most successful of all clubs and societies on campus. We reached the final rounds of every competition we sent teams to last year and we were ranked 11th in the world at last year's World Championships, beating teams like Harvard and Durham. We have an equal mix of men and women and many of our most successful debaters have English as their second language. We also have a great mix of competition debaters and those who just wish to overcome their fear of public speaking or who like us as a group of friends. All are welcome, and we don’t have a preference. Members generally feel that debating and improving their logical skills really help them with their essays. Joining the society might be one of the fastest ways to improve your marks. If you’re at all interested, come along or send us an e-mail. We’ll be thrilled to introduce you to everybody and teach you debating from the very start. We also have a pigeon hole in the Interpol department. Our website is aberdebating.org, or contact us at hab27@aber.ac.uk . We meet every Tuesday at six.
INTERPOL HOODIES
Colours: Red/Navy Blue/Black
Prices: Without zip £25; With zip £26.50
Put your name on it for an extra £1.50
Order forms available in the foyer
*****
T-SHIRTS
Only available in Navy Blue
Price £11
*****
DEPARTMENTAL BAGS
Price £2
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