I am committed to business as a career. Im interested in promotion, branding, selling, communications, creative design, research and management.

A career in business is a pathway where opportunity lays to be creative, interactive and work with interesting people. I have always been interested in business and I have chosen to apply for business related courses when undertaking undergraduate study. I have chosen to peruse undergraduate study after A-level as I believe that university would be the best way that I could achieve my career ambitions for the future. I also feel that by deciding to undertake an undergraduate degree this would enhance my skills and specialist knowledge in specific areas in business. My understanding of business through my applied business A-level subject, has taught me the knowledge I need to succeed in business, not just in theory but in practice. Through my coursework and business in practice unit I have developed a greater interest in marketing and management specifically. As part of my applied business coursework as a class we setup a mini enterprise which as a team we managed finance, marketing, Human recourses, customer service, ICT, operations and sales. From this experience I leaned skills such as management, organisation and team work. Through studying History and Politics at A-level I have developed essay writing skills, communication skills and study skills which are applicable when studying for most subject areas. This year I intend on re-sitting History AS-level as I did not achieve the grade that I had hoped and with hard work I hope to raise my grade significantly. Last year for work experience I received a taste of what it would be like to work for a PR and Marketing consultant, I worked backstage with Cathy Martin PR Firm the Director of Belfast fashion week at the Europa Hotel and Victoria Square Fashion shows. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and caught a glimpse of what it would be like to promote and market a big event such as Fashion week so much so that I have decided to volunteer to help out backstage with the management team again for the Fall Fashion Week in October of this year. I also had a work placement at Alison Campbell modelling agency, this was a little different but I got to see the promotion side of marketing and how companies use models to promote their brand. I have a part time job in retail shop called Hollister co which is situated in Victoria square. Hollister co is a sister brand of Abercrombie and Fitch which is a recognised retail company worldwide. I feel that I have learnt a lot from working there since may 2010 such as the companies approach to marketing and promoting products. Hollister use strategies such as large prints of the brands name, logo, initials, and fictional date of establishment on most of their clothing items. I have also learnt about management as an employee at Hollister co and how managers in the workplace meet deadlines, manage employees and maintain morale of employees and other staff which leads to increased productivity resulting in more efficiency or a higher quality of customer service. Last year I was involved in a six month OCN programme called youth in government. This involved weekly meetings I was given the opportunity to learn and discuss issues such as identity, culture and politics, to human rights and citizenship. The re-occurring theme is that of equality, diversity and interdependence. I was given the opportunity to explore my own views; I made informed opinions and also listened to the views of others. I developed skills such as debating, public speaking and good communication skills. The programme also gave me the opportunity to meet young people from other schools and from different backgrounds with different identities. I feel that I am a sociable person and the skills that I gained from the programme enables me to be able to relate and connect to people who share different opinions and backgrounds than my own. I believe this to be important quality and skill for university and when meeting new people. This year I have been selected to take part in a programme called change makers in which a group of young people aim to create a community relations project or event to make a change in Northern Ireland. Within school I am a member of the publicity team which is responsible for publishing and editing the school magazine. Reports or entries for the magazine are collected and we are given the task of amending and typing them up. Through being a member of this team I have developed ICT skills. I am a member or the Carers Team which is in charge of an important part of the school where many students seek information and advice through being a part of this team I am expected to keep track of university perspectives and brochures which apply to students future. Through being a member of this team I have developed my organizational skills. In school I also took part in European Union mock Council where I represented Portugal. The heated debate on the Euro crisis took place in the Senate

Chamber in Parliament Buildings, Stormont. Through this I developed my public speaking and debating skills. I enjoy taking part in Netball and Athletics as a leisure activity however school studies have become my priority this year. In previous years I have been a member of the Netball team, I was chosen for Podium sport trials and was picked to train with the Belfast region. I have also taken part in Athletics districts and Ulster schools competitions for High jump, Long jump and 4x100m Relay. Whilst at university I hope to take on existing or new hobbies and take an active part in university life. I believe that university is the right choice for me and that I would benefit from the experience and opportunity of undergraduate study. A degree will help achieve my future carer ambitions and I look forward to the challenges and opportunities that university has to offer.