How to become a better Student

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Going back to school is never easy, especially if you are a working professional and have to juggle a career and your personal life along with your education. But now that you have decided to go back to school, you might as well focus on becoming the best student you can be.

But what does becoming a better student mean to you? Have you sat down and really thought about it? Does it mean better – Work-Life-Study balance or better grades or a better understanding of what is being taught in class? No matter what your answer to the question is, the way to success is by creating effective habits.

The following are a few suggestions that could help you in achieving your goals.

  • The Scouts Motto – BE PREPARED

Time management is probably one of the biggest reasons why students fall behind or stay ahead in their classes.

    • Get organised – Organise your notes in such a way that it is easy to find when the time comes to refer to them.
    • Use a calendar, keep track of your class and fee payment schedules, know when your assignments are due and ensure that you complete your tasks before they are due.
    • Knowing your syllabus beforehand will go a long way in helping you prepare for a class. You will already have access to the study material before hand and by reading what is going to be thought in your next class you will get a better understanding of the subject when your teacher is explaining the topic. You will also be able to ask questions and clarify any doubts that was not clarified during the lesson.
  • Participate in Class

Active participation in class can have a number of positive impacts on your student life. Teachers notice to the students who are active in class and will in general  be more positively disposed towards these students. Don’t be afraid to raise your hands and ask questions, it is always better to come away from a class with a clear understanding of the subject.  And finally, take notes during class – it is the best aid that you can have during your revision of the subject.

 

 

  • Read

The best way to gain knowledge is to read. The more you read, the more you will know. If what you have read is related to your area of learning, the article, blog or book will give you a new point of view. Try to understand what the author is trying to put across and analyse if it falls inline with what you have learnt. Discuss your takeaways with your class and your teachers.

  • Complete your assignments early

The sooner you start work on your assignments, the sooner you will complete your research, the sooner the draft of your report will be ready. This will give you sufficient time to review your report and re-examine your conclusions. Get a friend or a classmate to read your report and ask them if there is any point that was not clear to them, you have the time to rework on the point, if you also feel it is required.

  • Do not procrastinate – A rushed job is seldom a good job.

When you choose a course, ensure its in the area of your interest so that you don’t regret your decision in the end.

Robert Kennedy College with 31 Master’s degree programmes and almost 14,000 students from almost every county in the world offers one of the most diverse, accredited and globally recognised online master’s degree programmes in both Business Law, Leadership and Management through exclusive partnerships with British universities. For more information download programme catalogue.

Keeping Up with more Qualified Colleagues

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So, you started your career early and were not able to complete your education – may be because of financial constraints, lack of interest in studies (at that time), personal or family commitments, whatever the reason, you had to ignore this important aspect of your life at that time.

You started your career and immersed yourself wholeheartedly into your work, rising through the ranks through sheer hard work, dedication and industry. You have never found that you have missed out on anything and the early start in your career had given you an edge in your rise through the corporate ladder.

However, you have begun to see that more often than not the promotions and jobs you were after, have been going to that younger, more qualified peer of yours. But qualification, while an important factor, would not have been the only factor at play here which has resulted in you missing out on a promotion. The following are some of the factors that may have come into play; and remember, it could have just as easily been you getting that promotion.

Leadership: Being good at a job in no way translates into being a good leader. Some people are just better at getting the best out of their subordinates or better at organising a team to be more efficient. But do not worry, Leadership is a skill and like any skill it can be developed by training, reading and an overall desire for self-improvement.

Experience: Some companies promote people just because they have the experience. While this may not be the preferred mode of appraisal in most organisations, there is a lot to be said about the knowledge gained through experience. If this is the main consideration in your organisation for promotions, then all you have to do is wait it out or you can be proactive and let your manager know that you might not have the time but have been around long enough and are more than experienced enough to be considered for the next promotion.

Office Politics: It may not be desirable, but office politics is an ingrained aspect of office life. In a perfect world I would advise you to stay away but then you are never going to get noticed. So, play the game. Play it to the best of your ability. Get noticed. But try not to step on anyone’s toe too hard or burn bridges, it is after all a gamble and the dice can just as easily roll against you, as for you.

Qualification: It is a fact, that in general a more qualified person will start their career at a higher position than the less qualified person. Qualification also plays an important role in the recruitment, promotion and shortlisting process of any organisation for a given job, the recruiter/ manager also knows that a qualified individual will bring with him a certain amount of knowhow to the job, in addition knowhow gained through work experience. Qualification is vital to stay ahead of the curve, and in today’s technology centric educational environment, there are no excuses not to get qualified.

Most companies and managers would consider all of the above, in varying degrees of importance, depending of the individual manager or organisation. So, ensure you are proportionally balanced to ensure your promotion.

Robert Kennedy College with almost 14,000 students from almost every county in the world offers one of the most diverse, accredited and globally recognised online master’s degree programmes in both Business Law, Leadership and Management through exclusive partnerships with British universities. For more information download programme catalogue.

Getting out of the Unemployment Rut

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Being out of work for an extended period of time can have disastrous effects on one’s career, not to mention the psyche and self-confidence of the person. A big resume gap or current unemployment may also mark a job seeker as “damaged goods” and make a long job search even longer.

There is also a subconscious bias that most recruiters hold against unemployed applicants, not understanding that in most cases an applicant is unemployed due to no fault of their own and in this changing world finding a job is not as easy as it used to be.

But do not give up trying. Just follow these simple suggestions to your road to employment.

  1. Remain Positive:I know, it is easier said than done, the longer you are unemployed the more disheartening and demoralising it can get. Every rejection seems to be a question on your self-worth. But your attitude and your outlook towards life will have a direct impact on not only how you are perceived during interviews but also on how focused and determined you are in the search of a new job. If your unemployment is leading to anxiety or depression, seek the support of your friends and family, if necessary seek professional counselling. Physical activity can also help in this, there’s documented evidence that physical exercise improves mental health and reduces anxiety. And a gym regimen or even daily walks around the neighbourhood can help your job search by adding structure to your day. In addition, getting away from your system can also help in refocusing your mind and aid in relaxing you.
  1. Networking:Unemployment can also lead job seekers to reduce their networking activities. There may be a number of good reasons for them to do so; they may be tired of repeating their story, or asking about opportunities or referrals. But networking is the single most important thing a person looking for a new job should be doing. Always take the opportunity to talk with people, in a positive way, about your job search and what you’d like to be doing.
  2. Your Job before your Job: If you find the weeks of unemployment stretching to months, then it is time to take a new and different approach. Consider your job hunt as your new fulltime job, dedicate eight to ten hours a day to your job search and attending interviews, and when you are not doing this focus on improving your job skillsand getting additional certifications in your field of interest. If you are trying to land a new position, devote the energy to make it happen. Establish goals, carve out the hours and make the job search your priority.
  3. Update and fill the gap in the CV:Most organisations are interested in the progression of your experience, skills and responsibility, and how you contributed directly to your employer’s, or former employer’s success. Make sure your resume includes enough substance to explain the strategies and tactics you were responsible for and contributed to, but be sure to also include the intangibles where you made a difference. It doesn’t have to be overly long or detailed, but back up any success claims with real facts and examples. A resume should be a history of things you’ve accomplished, not necessarily a chronology of things you’ve been paid for.
  4. Get Qualified:Take this time to upgrade your skills and get certified. In today’s job market you will be competing for employment with hundreds of applicants with a wide range of experience and qualifications. Don’t get left behind, use the opportunity this period of unemployment offers you to upgrade your skills, get certifications related to your job profile or may be even do that master’s degree you have always wanted to do, but haven’t yet.

Robert Kennedy College with almost 14,000 students from almost every county in the world offers one of the most diverse, accredited and globally recognised online master’s degree programmes in both Business Law, Leadership and Management through exclusive partnerships with British universities. For more information download programme catalogue.

Summer Graduation at the University of Salford

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Graduation day is a day of happiness and celebration. It is a day of endings and of new beginnings – it is the end of your hard work and commitment toward achieving your degree and the beginning of working towards achieving your dreams.

Graduation day is the reward for your perseverance and focus and the prize – Your Degree Certificate.

The University of Salford recently celebrated its summer graduation for the class of 2018. Students from all over the world were joined by their family and friends to celebrate this important day in their lives. Wearing the cap and gown and walking down the aisle – a day of pride and a dream fulfilled.

If you have also had dreams of earning your Masters degree and attending a university graduation ceremony with all its pomp and glory, join us today and live your dreams. For more information download programme catalogue.

Here are all the highlights from our fantastic Summer Graduation 2018! 🎓

Changing Careers – Points to Consider

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People consider a change in career for a number of reasons – hopes and aspirations at the start of your career might have changed, you may have developed new passions and interests, desire for better salary, better work hours, etc. These are just some of the reasons, amongst the multitude of reasons, that might be influencing your decision in changing your career.

However, before you reach decision, it is vital that you evaluate your present situation and the opportunities that might still be available in your current career. Explore the other career options available and evaluate how this new career aligns with your objectives.

The following are a few points to consider when evaluating your career change.

  • Evaluate Current Job Satisfaction:The fact that you are contemplating a change in career is ample evidence of the level of your job satisfaction. But have you sat down and analysed why you need this career change, is it job satisfaction (related to the actual work that you do) or is it because of some external factors, like – work environment, colleagues, the company culture and not the actual work that you do, then may be all you have to do is change this external factor that seems to be having such a profound impact on you. If the dissatisfaction arises from the job that you are doing, look at opportunities within your organisation in the field that you are interested in, as you already have knowledge of the industry and the organisation, this is probably the easiest move to make.
  • Skill and Interest Assessment:Analyse all of your previous roles, regardless of how significant or insignificant they might seem. Identify your stronger skills sets, your strength and weakness, the jobs you enjoyed doing, the roles you enjoyed handling. This will help in assessing possible career alternatives.
  • Career Alternatives: Consider alternative careers based on your skill set, educational qualifications, work experience and other qualifications. Discuss with your family and friends the possible career options. Get in touch with the business network you have developed over the years and discuss possibilities with them. Also, it’s never too late to meet a career counsellor for professional advice.

  • Job Opportunities: Once you have determined on the kind of job vertices that interest you, do a comparative evaluation of the various verticals and identify a few with potential for an in-depth analysis. You will find a wealth of information online, but try to also get personal, set up meeting with people in your network (friends, family, school alumni, professional contacts, etc.) and discuss the opportunity and possible career change with them. There is no more valuable information than first-hand information.
  • Get a feel of it: If you are going to be changing careers then you should be certain that the move you make is the right one for you. It is very rare that you will get a third opportunity at building the career you want. Try to secure an internship or even take on a part-time job in the field of your primary interest, it need only be for a short time, however the more time you can commit to the study the clearer picture you will get.
  • Upgrade your Skill: The best way to change your career is to get qualified for it. Do a short-term course or better still, do a master’s degree programme related to the field that you are interested in, it is the quickest way to get ahead or catch up on lost ground.

Robert Kennedy College with almost 14,000 students from almost every county in the world offers one of the most diverse, accredited and globally recognised online master’s degree programmes in both Business Law, Leadership and Management through exclusive partnerships with British universities. For more information download programme catalogue.

Getting your Career out of the Rut and Back on Track

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So, you have been feeling like you are trapped in a dead-end job with no hope of growth and have forgotten what it was like to have fun at work. You feel like you are stuck with a hard nosed and unappreciative boss and can’t see a future to your career. This feeling of “being stuck” usually ends up draining you of energy and hope, it can even significantly affect your personal life and have an impact on your feeling of self-worth.

You need to break out of this rut that has been dragging you down and get your career back on track, to achieve this you have to make changes to your thinking and thereby change the perception your colleagues have of you. The following five steps are a few suggestions of how you can go about trying to achieve this change.

  1. Be Optimistic: It will be a challenge to get out of your negative mindset and get thinking and feeling positive again. Begin small, set aside an hour or two every day where you try to push aside everything that you perceive is holding you back and picture yourself and who you want to be five years from now. Set yourself self-improvement goals – public speaking, improve your knowledge, read motivational speakers, attend short term courses. Until you get yourself into a positive frame of mind, you will remain blinded to the opportunities around you.
  2. Bucket List of Jobs: Make a list of the jobs you have always you have had/ dreamt of having. Don’t be constrained by what you think you presently deserve but what you have always dreamt of having, be unrealistic (The President of the United States is not out of the running from your list). As your list grows, look at the pattern developing, and you will see that you are drawn to a certain type of job (Marketing, Media, Supply Chain, etc.), in certain industry segments (Automotive, Aerospace, Shipping, IT, etc.). Look for clues about what excites you and makes you feel energised again, then work towards achieving these goals and getting a job in line with your dreams.
  3. Perception Matters: As someone once said, “Dress for the job you want, not for the one you have”. Look in the mirror and ask yourself if the person looking back is the person who will be able to occupy the highest position listed in your bucket list. Identify what do you have to change in order for others to see you in that position. When re-evaluating your image, look at all aspects that make up your image – from the clothes that you wear to your social media profile, to the way you socialise. Start making the changes, but take your time and do it right.
  4. Networking: One of the key factors that will help you achieve your goals will be the contacts you develop. Work towards developing new contacts, people who are unfamiliar with the old you and have only seen the new and improved you. Use platforms like LinkedIn, Alumni Associations, Professional Associations, Clubs, etc., to develop your new network. Talk about your passions and goals with these people, ask for their advice, get a mentor who has your best interests at hand. And when your big break comes, the odds are it won’t come from someone you’d name if you had to list the 50 people you know best. Most opportunities come from people at the very edges of your network or someone you haven’t interacted with in a really long time. Remember, all that’s holding you back is you. Don’t bury your dreams. Day after day, tell people what you really, truly want to do. Share your dream with them, and one of them will make that dream come true.
  5. Qualification: Education Qualification matters and will be one of the driving factors in helping you achieving your dream job. Knowledge, networking, creative thinking, self-discipline, time management are just some of what you can gain from a quality education. Anyone who tells you otherwise has either been in that small fraction of the job population that has been very lucky or has had it handed to him. So, ensure you have the qualifications to go with that dream job or your dream job might just go to someone who does.

 

Robert Kennedy College with almost 14,000 students from almost every county in the world offers one of the most diverse, accredited and globally recognised online master’s degree programmes in both Business Law, Leadership and Management through exclusive partnerships with British universities. For more information download programme catalogue.

A step-by-step guide to the enrolment/admission process at Robert Kennedy College

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So, after speaking with our education advisors, going through our programme catalogue and experiencing our OnlineCampus through the 14 day trial access we offer, you have decided to make a positive change in your life and join our online Master degree programme.

For your better understanding, what follows is the step-by-step breakdown of our admissions process. Please note, we welcome applications from students who may not meet the formal entry criteria but who have relevant experience or the ability to pursue the course successfully.

  1. Putting the required documents together.
    • Copy of your Bachelor’s degree certificate. Please note, if your certificate is unavailable or if you have not completed your bachelor’s degree, please check with your Education Advisor for further guidance.
    • Your updated CV/ Resume with correct dates of employment and education (month and year).
    • Signed application form (Please download the application form, fill it, print it, sign it, scan and email it to your education advisor).
    • A reference letter from your present employer on the company letterhead. The letter should be current dated and addressed to The Dean, Robert Kennedy College, Zurich, Switzerland.
  2. Application Fee payment of 100 CHF (Swiss francs). A credit card payment link will be emailed to you once your online application has been created. You can also make the payment by a Bank Transfer, details will be provided once the application has been created.
  3. Statement of Purpose (SOP) of a minimum 300 words, in English, this statement allows the admission office to determine your suitability for the programme.
    • Points to cover in your SOP –
      • Why did you choose Robert Kennedy College and the University of Cumbria?
      • What is your ambition and motivation to study and graduate from this master programme?
      • Where do you see yourself, professionally, in 5 years’ time from now?
      • Please ensure that your SOP has no spelling, punctuation or grammar mistakes and no short forms is to be used and is to be written in your own words and is not to be copied.
      • You can write and email the SOP to your education advisor as a Word/ PDF document.

Alternatively you can directly create an online application digitally sign the application form, upload the reference letter, degree certificate and your CV, write the SOP and pay your application fees.

At Robert Kennedy College we have truly simplified, modernised and streamlined our admissions process but at every stage we recommend that you keep in touch with and take the advice of your Education Advisor who is there to be a guiding hand.

Organisational Behaviour and its Importance in Management

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“There are only two ways to influence human behaviour: you can manipulate it or you can inspire it” – Simon Sinek, Author, Motivational Speaker and Marketing Consultant

Understanding why people behave the way they do and studying the complex nature of human being in an organisation is important to better manage and increase the value of the human capital in an organisation. Organisational Behaviour helps us understand this by studying the cause and effect of human behaviour within an organisation.

Some of the reasons why Organisational Behaviour is an integral part of most management programmes is as follows:

  1. Understanding the relationship between an organisation and its employees: The study of Organisational Behaviour helps in the better understanding of the relationship between an organisation and its employees thereby helping in the development of better Human Resource strategies in creating a better work environment, employee loyalty and increasing the overall value of the human capital for the organisation.
  2. Motivating employees: Studying Organisational Behaviour help managers to better understand their employees and motivate them, applying different motivational tools as per individual requirements resulting in the better performance of the organisation as a whole.
  3. Improving industrial/ labour relations: Organisational Behaviour help in understanding the cause of a problem, predict its future course and control its consequences. As a result, managers are able to maintain better relations with their employees by nipping any problem in the bud.
  4. Effective utilisation of Human Resource: Knowledge of Organisational Behaviour help managers to effectively and efficiently manage their employees, inspiring and motivating them to higher efficiency and productivity through a better understanding and analysis of human behaviour.
  5. Predicting human behaviour: This is probably the most important reason for studying Organisational Behaviour in management. Knowledge of Organisational Behaviour prepares students to become better managers by becoming a student of human behaviour from a management perspective and thereby contributing to organisational effectiveness and profitability.

Robert Kennedy College with almost 14,000 students from almost every county in the world offers one of the most diverse, accredited and globally recognised online master’s degree programmes in both Business Law, Leadership and Management through exclusive partnerships with British universities. For more information download programme catalogue.

Doing a Masters without a Bachelor degree

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Postgraduate study usually requires an undergraduate (Bachelor’s) degree as a prerequisite – but if you haven’t completed an undergraduate degree, earning a Master’s qualification isn’t out of the question.

There are a number of criteria that a university might take into consideration when evaluating an application for a Master’s degree programme. Some universities insist on a Bachelor’s degree from a recognised and accredited university. However this should not dissuade you from applying for a Master’s degree as the long term professional benefitswill stand you in good stead, and a large number of universities will take into account your professional experience and other certificates and diplomas in lieu of a Bachelor’s degree when considering your application.

Here’s how to get your Master’s without a previous undergraduate degree.

Leveraging your professional experience – The best way to learn is to do! There will be a number of concepts that you learn in your Master’s programme that you might have already executed in your professional life to great success and yet be unaware of the theories, best practice or the full practical potential of the concept. But having already executed the concept and seen it work (or fail), your knowledge of the concept will put you equal to if not steps ahead of a Bachelor’s graduate who has joined a Master’s programme directly after graduation. The knowledge you have gained through your time in employment or self-employment may prompt a university to consider you favourably for a Master’s degree in lieu of a Bachelors’ when considering your application.

Other Education/ Professional Certificates or Graduate Diploma – There are a number of reasons why a person might not have completed their Bachelor’s degree. Maybe at the time of your Bachelor’s programme you were only able to attain a graduate certificate or a diploma, or maybe you were unable to enrol for a Bachelor’s programme in the first place due to personal or financial commitments. But It is a fact that the only way to continuously and consistently grow in your professional life and have a successful career is to keep updating your knowledge and to this end you might have accumulated a number of professional certificates which testify to your knowledge and professional expertise. It is such knowledge coupled with your professional experience that a university might take into consideration when evaluating your application for a Master’s degree programme.

Robert Kennedy College with almost 14,000 students from almost every county in the world offers one of the most diverse, accredited and globally recognised online master’s degree programmes in both Business Law, Leadership and Management through exclusive partnerships with British universities. For more information download programme catalogue.

Benefits of joining an Accredited University

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A degree can have a significant impact of your career aspirations, from the opportunities extended to the salaries offered. However, your choice of university or college will have a major influence of these career opportunities. As more universities begin to offer degree programmes online, it’s especially important to know which ones provide the academic excellence desired by many employers.

The quality of your education is probably the most important consideration in making your decision as regards a college or a university, after all you will be investing a substantial amount of your time, effort and money in obtaining this degree and will be expecting a return on your investment.

Due to technological advancements and a growing need for organisations to have a qualified workforce, the number of universities and colleges that offer online programmes to meet this requirement have increased dramatically over the last few years. However not all programs deliver an excellent education.

Accreditation means that an institution was evaluated based on specific guidelines. Some of the benefits that an accredited university offers are:

  • To ensure that education provided by institutions meet an acceptable level of quality
  • Facilitate a graduate’s entry into certain licensure and certification programs
  • Ensure a university honours its promises to students
  • Monitoring and Improving education standards

Recruiters place importance on credentials and will likely verify whether a school is regionally accredited and this can have a direct impact on not only whether you get the opportunity offered but on the salary that is being offered. So ensure the degree programmes you consider are offered through a respected – and accredited – educational institution.

From the student perspective an accredited university will help you stand out from the competition when applying for the best jobs and give your prospective employers the confidence that you possess the skills and education they are looking for.

Robert Kennedy Collegewith almost 14,000 students from almost every county in the world offers one of the most diverse, accredited and globally recognised online master’s degree programmes in both Business Law, Leadership and Management through exclusive partnerships with British universities. For more information download programme catalogue.

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