This weeks blog post brings back a series I haven’t done is quite some time: the UNi Series! Back when I started university, I wanted a place where I could pop my thoughts every now and then; open the doors to the scrambled mind of a university student in the hopes that someone might find solace in the madness too.
3 years on, I’m embarking on my final year and assignments are well and truly underway. Not only that, but it’s time for me to start thinking about what career I want to have which got me thinking. I started this blog to help my career, to enhance my skills- so why not let you know just why it’s been so important to me?
So here it is, the UNi Series is back! Talking how important blogging is in my life, and why it’s shaped me in finding what I’d like to spend the next 45 years of my life doing (eek!)
What convinces you to start a blog?
I always knew I wanted to write- something, anything! A skill I never utilised during my high school years, I found my niche of typing sentence after sentence on a topic at college and well, it seems I haven’t really stopped.
While my blog was started as an assignment within itself (solely focused on a photography unit) I knew I wanted it to be more and after taking some time to think about it, I wanted it to become a platform for people to learn about something new- or understand something they just can’t get their head round (I’d like to think I have helped at least one person over the past few years).
Whatever you’re interested in, I can assure you there are people out there who are looking to read about it. Make sure you apply yourself and pencil in time to write- otherwise you never will! I recently came across a piece of advice that has completely changed the way I few the commitments in my life: when motivation ends, discipline starts. Start when you have the motivation, and it’ll turn into a routine.
What are the benefits?
Not only can you build your writing skills, some of which you can only improve by practice, but you’re also able to build your personal brand identity. With your own blog, you create the narrative about who you are, and who you want to be. Your online identity is defined by you. When employers search your name for your social media accounts and a blog pops up which showcases your work, extra, outside of what you’ve been doing- it shows initiative. People are able to learn more about you, and the type of person you are.
As I’ve hinted, it’s great to talk about in interviews! A weekly blog that you’ve been posting to frequently for however many weeks, months, or years? You're a standout. You're committed not just to the work you might’ve been doing at university or at previous employment, but you're going above and beyond to improve yourself and you're writing capabilities. It also helps as a fantastic example to use during those pesky “tell us about a time when…” questions…
Whether you notice it or not, you’ll also find yourself adding to your language. As a predominant marketing blog, I find that every week I learn something new about marketing- a new term or strategy that can then affect the work that goes into my final few assignments. The biggest benefit to writing a blog is that you learn so much more about a topic you're so passionate about. For myself, every time I learn something new I get a little boost of serotonin- I know that what I’m doing this very moment is going to benefit me further down the line. And it can help you too.
So what are you waiting for? Get designing a site, write your first blog draft, and figure out what you’re most passionate about! It’s never too late to get pen to paper!
Comments