Back to my graduate job hunting progress, which has been pretty “quiet” and “slow” for the last 2 months, compare to my job hunting progress before Christmas. So far, I have done online psychometric tests for two companies, telephone interviews with five companies, and face to face interview with two companies. While I am still waiting for the decision to progress into further application stages from five companies, the other four companies have decided not to continue with my application. Among these companies, I believe seven of them are big companies, who typically offer graduate IT scheme, and two of them are small to medium companies with a more specified job position.

Overall, I think the competition for graduate jobs hunting for this year is very tough. Most of my classmates are still struggling without any invitation for interviews. I also received an email from a big cars manufacturer company based in UK regarding the number of applications they received for their graduate IT scheme, which is around 13.500 applications for only 300 offered vacancies. As an alternative solution, I suppose there should be hidden vacancies that most graduates need to consider as well in their graduate jobs hunting process. For instance, graduate vacancies on the Brunel University PCC website, vacancies on the Job Center Plus website, or perhaps vacancies in local newspapers. Also, it might be useful to setup daily email alerts for specific job search terms in some jobs website, such as Jobserve, ITJobBoard, or CV-Library.

I finally sent my PSW visa application on 22nd December 2011, a day after I obtained my original study certificate from Brunel University. Most students thought that they can only apply for the PSW visa after they obtained this original study certificate, but then I figured out that this is not true. I met my previous flat mate Kingsley on 11th December 2011, when he told me that he already sent his application as soon as Brunel announced our study result on 18th November 2011 by using only the original academic letter from Brunel without the original study certificate. However, according to a rumor that I heard, this way of applying is risky; therefore, it is more recommended to apply by using the original study certificate. Nonetheless, I cannot verify the validity of this rumor, as Kingsley’s application is yet to be accepted or rejected (but I personally think that his application will be accepted).

The other issue regarding PSW visa application is the unavailability of premium (in-person) service. Initially, I wanted to apply by using this service, even though it costs 300 pound more than the standard service by post. This is because I thought that I already wasted 1 month of my job hunting time as I should have already applied for the PSW visa in November (like what Kingsley did). Regarding this matter, I personally think that the UKBA shut this premium service with a purpose of avoiding long queue in their office.

For the requirements of the PSW visa application, there are six documents that should be prepared: the PSW visa application form, the original passport, two copies of recent photographs with grey background (this is very important as I initially wanted to submit photographs with white background), original copies of bank statements with the proof of GBP 800 fund maintenance for the period of 90 days before the PSW visa application date, the original academic letter from university, and the original study certificate. Another important thing to note is regarding the inclusion of applicant’s name, DOB, and nationality behind each photograph. Regarding the payment, it is important to note that even though the PSW visa application is made by post, the applicant is allowed to pay by using debit card. Before I met and talked with Kingsley, I did not aware about this condition and decided to buy postal orders as my payment method, which cost me extra charge of GBP 35. Nevertheless, I am not sure about the flexibility of the other type of payment, such as bank draft or credit card. It is also important to write applicant’s name, DOB, and nationality behind each postal orders, to ensure the payee name is ‘Home Office’, and the postal orders must be crossed. I did a mistake regarding this matter because I was in a hurry on that day. I just hope the consequence will not be severe for me and UKBA can still process and accept my PSW visa application.

On the other hand, some of my jobs applications for big companies were able to progress further to the phone interview stage. Until now, I have done phone interviews with 5 different big companies. The first company is an investment bank, which is originally based in the USA. The application was for a graduate software developer position. After preparing my answers for competency-based questions, I was so nervous that I could not sleep the day before the interview. The phone interview was on Monday morning and I can fairly say that I did not prepare well-enough, especially for technical IT questions; hence, as I predicted before, they directly informed me the rejection on the next day. The second company is a well-known shoes company, which is based in Germany. I was happy with my performance for this phone interview, but they are yet to inform me the result. The third company is the biggest telecommunication company in the UK. I remember that I had to do a kind of logical tests, which are quite complicated. I managed to pass those tests and also well-prepared for the phone interview. However, the result was not good as they also decided not to progress further with my application. The fourth company is also an investment bank, which is originally based in Swiss. Nevertheless, the position is not based in the UK and they are also yet to inform me the result (although I believe I had failed as they previously mentioned their assessment center stage should took place on early December). The last company to offer me a phone interview last Wednesday is a defense electronic supplier company, which is originally based in France. Regrettably, they directly decided not to progress further because of my current visa status, which is still on student visa, even though I had explained to them that I will get my post-study work visa by next Friday.

Two lessons can be learned from my approach to the phone interview stage. First, I am looking forward to apply for my post-study work visa as soon as I obtain my study certificate on 21st December by using the premium service to avoid another unreasonable rejection because of this matter. Second, some interview questions among those companies are similar with each other, which somehow makes my preparation become slightly easier. For instance, the questions regarding company profile, teamwork experience, problem solving experience, IT interest points, extra-curricular activities, strength & weaknesses, skills that can be contributed to the position and/or company, and the motivation behind the application for the position and/or company.

At the moment, I am still waiting for my study result. Everything seems a little bit confusing, as our initial study guide stated that we would have already received our dissertation feedback on 21st October 2011. However, a week after that date passed, there was still no confirmation from our school. This situation forced some students to ask for confirmation from the module leader, in which we were then informed that our result will be officially released after the meeting of the board of examiners on 17th November 2011.

Meanwhile, I am also actively applying for some graduate jobs and part-time jobs. This is a quite tough process. Initially, I went to some recruitment agencies in Uxbridge, but in the end I personally felt that they were not so helpful. Therefore, I decided to start applying online, either directly on the company’s website or through specific websites, such as Totaljobs, Reed, Fish4Jobs, CWJobs, ElanIT, and Inside-Careers, that contains complete vacancies databases. On the other hand, I also applied for graduate jobs vacancies in big companies based on their nearest upcoming deadlines on the TargetJobs website.

So far, after more than 100 applications that I’ve sent, there is only 1 big company invited me for a phone interview this upcoming Monday. I’m not sure what are the reasons behind the refusal or reluctance of companies to progress my application, but I suspect two issues regarding my current visa scheme and my business-English language skill. Meanwhile, if I still need much time to keep applying for jobs like what I have done so far, I have to find a part-time or a temporary job to support my daily living expenses. After searching through the same jobs websites, such as Totaljobs and Reed, I finally found a very helpful jobs board provided by Brunel PCC, in which make it easier for graduates or students to search for part-time jobs from multiple websites at once.

Regarding my dissertation, it was finally submitted on 29th September 2011, a day before the submission deadline. Following this submission, I was required to deliver a presentation for the software that I have already developed for my dissertation, as I did an industrial dissertation project. I was quite nervous when I was doing the presentation at the company on 5th October 2011 because I had to do the presentation in front of some executives of that company and some lecturers from my school, including my supervisor, Dr. Tracy Hall and the previous postgraduate study director, Dr. Sergio de Cesare. My presentation last for 15 minutes, including the demonstration of the software and the Q&A session. Fortunately, everything went well and I just need to wait for the final result now. This picture was taken before the presentation, with my supervisor and my project mentor, Mr. Tony Fitzpatrick.

Presentation day, with Dr. Tracy Hall and Mr. Tony Fitzpatrick

Therefore, this blog post concludes my one year postgraduate journey in Brunel University. Nevertheless, I will keep updating my blog. I had through such a remarkable and unforgettable journey, with helps of many staff, teachers, and lecturers in Brunel University. I would like to give my acknowledgements to Mrs. Filiz McNamara and Mr. Alex Buchanan from Brunel International for their kind support towards me for this whole year. Next, my appreciations to Mr. Paul Bracken and Mr. David Jones from the in-sessional English program in Brunel International for their continuous encouragement and help during my study. Last but not least, my big gratitude towards my supervisor, Dr. Tracy Hall, for her constant motivation during the accomplishment of my dissertation.

There are many things happened recently. I got a part-time job from Brunel International as an airport greeter. So, for the new upcoming students, who have already booked for the airport pick-up service from Brunel International, you might meet me on the 13th, 14th, or 18th of September. There are around 20-30 greeters that will be glad to greet you on your arrival in Brunel, as you can see in the photo below.

Brunel International 2011 Airport Greeters

In this chapter I also want to write about the progress of my dissertation. It’s been a while since the moment that I have to face some uncertainties, but fortunately at the moment everything seems to be well-progressed. This is because I’ve just met my supervisor and she seems to be very satisfied with what I’ve done so far. I have completed the development of the software for my dissertation and I also have collected some feedback regarding the software from some participants in the company. At the moment, I’m ready to start writing my last 2 chapters. Hopefully I can continue my good-progress and submit my draft to my supervisor on the 21st September, before I need to submit the final dissertation on the 30th September.

In addition, I believe that there will be new students’ blogger for Brunel University soon. It will be fascinating to meet these future students’ bloggers soon and also to read what they will write. On one hand, it is very challenging to continuously maintain a blog and keep updating it. On the other hand, it is pleasurable when we received the acknowledgement from readers, who think the contents of our blog are helpful for them.

Tower Bridge @ night

I’ve been to Central London with some of my flatmates on the 29th July. I arranged this trip because Ozzy, my flatmate from Turkey would move out earlier than us. Initially, we wanted to visit Abbey Road, which is the place where the Beatles recorded their album. But, it was already too late, so we just went to Chinatown for a 5 pound buffet dinner and then went to Tower Bridge and London Bridge afterwards. We returned to Brunel at 1 AM by taking the night bus N 207 from Oxford Street.

Emirates Cup 2011

The next day, which was on the 30th July, I went to watch the Emirates Cup at the Emirates Stadium in Arsenal with some Indonesian friends from Brunel University, Bournemouth University, Southampton University and Portsmouth University. There were two matches, the first one was NY Red Bulls vs PSG and the second one was Arsenal vs Boca Juniors. By the time we arrived there around 4 PM, the first match was nearly finished. However, the second match was enjoyable and ended with 2-2 draw. After the match, I went to Westminster area to have dinner and then took picture from opposite of Big Ben.

Time really flies so fast. I feel like I just arrived here yesterday, but then it’s already almost a year now. At the moment, besides writing my dissertation, other agenda that I need to do are hunting for accommodation and preparing for a part-time job as either an airport greeter or a student mentor in September. Hunting for off-campus accommodation is not an easy thing to do, especially because one of my flatmates wants to buddy up with me. Based on my experience and also suggestions from other students, we try to find it on Gumtree or Spareroom. Some students, who formed a group for hunting, also popped-in to housing agencies around campus to hunt for rented-houses with 3-5 rooms inside. Nonetheless, this option might require an additional agency fee to be paid. As for the part-time job that I will do later, I already feel excited to meet and greet new students, who will come to Brunel this September.

I just met with my supervisor this morning. I believe my dissertation progress is on track, although there are still few doubts that I need to solve as soon as possible. These couple of weeks have been a quite a stressful weeks for me, because I need to solve some uncertainties that I face, such as how to incorporate the foundation theory that I have chosen into my dissertation and what software development method that I will use in developing the software. Also, I need to wrap up my final draft for chapter 2, which is my literature review. Somehow, I am able to finish it and I am fortunate enough in finding a journal paper that is really helpful to guide me in integrating the foundation theory into my dissertation. Nonetheless, there is still one more work left for me in justifying the suitable software development method for my project, in which I want to finish it in these couple of days.

On the other hand, my dissertation is not about writing the report only. I also need to develop some kind of software as well. This requires me to work in parallel. So far, I have already been to the company, where my project is conducted, twice. Gratefully I have understood their requirements because of my clear communication with the person from the company, who is the coordinator of my project. The first prototype of the software that I meant to build was stuck at some point; Fortunately, I found an alternative solution that I can use and the project’s coordinator already gave me a “green light” to use this alternative solution. It’s time for me to continue my work because I need to see my supervisor again in two weeks time. Later, I will update my blog again and continue my story regarding my dissertation (in which I plan to write about off-campus accommodation hunting as well, as I need to move out on early September due to the allocation of on-campus accommodation for the new upcoming students)

Following the initial process of the dissertation for my school that I’ve written before in chapter 26, I want to continue my story in this chapter by emphasizing on the progress of my own dissertation. Before I start, I would like to share good news regarding my complete study result, in which I passed all the modules (I even scored quite well in some modules). This result is now official, following the meeting of Board of Examiners. Nevertheless, not all students have a similar situation like me, in which they felt sad because they did not pass some modules.

Anyway, let’s get back to the inception phase of my dissertation. A new supervisor was relocated to guide me with my project, after I experienced a little bit difficulty in communicating with my previous supervisor. I feel more comfortable with my new supervisor, because she encourages me to improve my work. So far, I already had two appointments with her and I’m happy with my progress. I just hope that half of my draft for the literature review and a simple prototype of the program will be ready when I meet her again next week. I forgot to mention that my project is an industrial dissertation project, in which I choose to develop some kind of program for the company. I believe that’s all that I can write for the moment regarding the progress of my dissertation. I will save more stories about my dissertation for the next chapter.

My certification started on 31st May 2011 until 13th June 2011 for 10 days duration (excluding weekends). The certification fee is included in our course fee, so it is only available for the students from Business Systems Integration course. Some friends told me that some students from Information Systems Management course wanted to join this certification, but unfortunately they were not allowed. For each day, the course started at 9.30 or 10 in the morning and finished at 4.30 or 5 in the evening, with 1 hour lunch break at 1 PM. It’s really tiring for the first few days, nonetheless the students get used to it as it progresses. We learned 15 units in total and tried to finish 2 units each day, so that we could do a mock exam on the last day.

I think what I’ve learned from my ERP module in the first term was really helpful for me to understand the basic concept. Moreover, the tutors are very helpful, particularly the main tutor (and also the Business Systems Integration course director), Dr. Alan Serrano. Some additional materials given by him are very useful for students. There are some useful tips that I can share here, such as the use of online flashcards to help in memorizing some SAP terminologies. Also, there are some units which have more weight than other units, namely procurement, sales, asset management, human capital management, financial accounting, and management accounting; hence, it’s better to focus in studying these units, especially on the issue of the integration points among these units. Last but not least, most of the questions in the exam are in the format of single choice or multiple choices with 2 or 3 answers; therefore, the old trick of eliminating wrong choices in this kind of questions are very useful during the exam.