Two steps forward, one step back
How my confidence levels have developed during my second year of university
I began my second year of university like many others, filled with uncertainty. The move to online university had dented my confidence, as all the career-related skills I had learned needed to be reshaped to work online.
Thinking about the start of the year, I realise that I lacked the confidence to go for opportunities or new experiences within the university that were outside my comfort zone. I was afraid of being rejected from these opportunities and for that to knock my confidence further. At times I felt like an imposter at university and that if I applied for these things people would realise that I am not qualified or capable of completing this degree.
Being fearful of rejection was something at the forefront of my mind when I decided to start applying for placement year opportunities. I was set on completing a year placement as I knew all about the benefits it would have for my skills and career prospects as well as for my confidence. I also knew this meant meeting new people, new environments, interviews, and having to sell myself. Securing a placement was one of my main goals for my second year at university, I knew I would have to start to take steps towards reaching this goal.
At the beginning of the year, I opted to complete a short work placement, with the hope that this would serve as practice for applications and interviews for my year placement. Due to the ongoing pandemic, this did not work out. So, I switched to the confidence module course. Which turned out as a blessing in disguise. The confidence module allowed me to focus more time on my year placement applications and attending the confidence workshop gave me time to reflect on my confidence and take time to work out where exactly I lacked confidence.
The confidence workshop highlighted key points like stepping out of your comfort zone and focusing on your skills rather than the areas you are lacking in confidence. This, along with the Strengths Profile helped me to identify my strengths which impacted the way I approached my first interview. Learning to emphasise my skills and strengths was vital for my applications and my interview technique as well as my confidence in what I had to offer.
After being rejected from the first application I sent, what had been a fear had come true, experiencing rejection. I was determined not to let this set me back. I tried to employ the ideas of the Learning Zone mentioned in the confidence workshop, so I sought out help with my applications from the careers service.
Following this, I was offered an interview for my third application and was offered the placement. This was the largest boost to my confidence this year and has reinforced that I am capable and can be successful. I will now approach applications without fear of failure, as I have learnt that one rejection will not prevent success in the future.
