Leap of Faith

Hello again,

I'm sat at home on a weekday... and I'm not working! This is like finding a chocolate bar in the back of a cupboard, a rare treat!

So yesterday was my last day at my day job, I have taken the huge leap of faith to become fully self employed and just do my teaching which is feeling weird as I have been somewhat employed since I was at college. But at the same time, I am so excited!

I finally have time to do the things I wanted to do but couldn't due to work commitments, and this feels great! I have more time to blog (which is excellent for all you guys) and more time to see if I can get more teaching work in the mornings so my days are completely filled with me doing something that I have wanted to do for so long and I love doing!

But there is a niggling feeling in the back of my head. My family and friends all know that I am a bit of a worrier, and this is starting to show. Millions of questions and doubts are whizzing round my head 'I won't get holiday pay or sick pay now' 'What happens if I lose my job?" and many more are starting to question my doubts if leaving the stability of having a monthly guaranteed income was the right thing to do?


But then I was teaching last night at one of my schools, and the children has come on so much in confidence and technique since I started there in September that it squashes these doubts back to the back of my mind. And I know I have done the right thing! They make me realise that I have done the right thing :)

Does anyone else know what I mean? Or I am just a tad crazy :)


Steph xx

Task 1B - Professional Communication Technologies

Hello,

Right I've got a MASSIVE break now at one of my teaching schools, so I'm using this time productively and writing the second task! (I then got busy, so thats why the delay is HUGE!)

Ok, so Professional Communication Technology. We all use this on a day to day basis whether we are performers, or bankers, or office workers etc. I don't actually know what we would do now if we didn't have the internet at our fingertips!

What I have learnt however, is that all of this is put into an umbrella called 'Web 2.0' and as I say to all my students that I teach 'you should learn something new each day!'

Anyway, I'm going to tell you the main uses of Web 2.0 that I use on a day to day basis:

Facebook

I honestly think I need some help weaning myself off this. I use this everyday, whether to check someones wall out, or to wish someone a happy birthday, and I have even gotten work out of Facebook! Everyone has it now, and it is great to find new things out, or find lost friends that you haven't seen in ages, and see photos of great times with great friends :) 'Facebook was not originally created to be a company. It was built to accomplish a social mission - to make the world more open and connected.' Zuckerburg,M. (2013) And i agree - he has definitely  accomplished that. HOWEVER - what I don't like is people putting random videos/pictures that clog up my newsfeed!!! ARGHHHHHHH!!!!!

Twitter
I only joined on this bandwagon when I was at college, and to be honest, I didn't really know what I was doing! But now I use this on a daily basis as well. Its great to network with people, and also ask for any help/advice/feedback etc. I remember asking for a cake decoration course for my mum as a birthday present, and was inundated with replies! It is slowly becoming as popular as Facebook.

Dancers Pro
This little gem I found by chance when a friend of mine recommended it to help me find work when I was a bit down on my luck. I found this a great way find jobs/auditions - and 9 times out of 10 I got the job I applied for :). Yes you have to pay for this, but at £18 a month, it's not to shabby.

Google
I think everyone uses this to research, find answers, or ask it to do silly things like a barrel roll (just type it into the search bar and see what happens ;) ) but I don't know what we'd do now without this at our fingertips.


So there you have it, these are great everyday examples of Web 2.0 that everybody uses. What I would like to start looking into is my own website - and also linkedin. I have an account for this but I don't really know what I am doing with it! So if anyone can shed some light that would be great :)

Steph xx

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHcSS56ukGM

Task 1A - Professional Profile

Hello again :)

I was meant to do this task a lot earlier, but teaching took its toll on me so I'm doing it tonight while I have some time to myself :)

So Task 1a... Professional Profile. As I have seen from other blog posts, most professional performers have two CV's - a performing CV and a 'Proper Work' CV. So I'm going to share both and I would love it if you could give me some feedback on it.


Performing CV
Normally I would have a picture as well, but I need some new head shots so I will leave it out for the time being.

Stephanie Jones      

Training: Bird College National Diploma in Dance and Theatre Performance 2007 - 2010

Height: 5’1’’                             Mobile no: xxxxxxxxxxx

               Hair: Blonde                                                          Email: xxxxxxxxxxx

               Eyes: Blue                                    Ni no: xxxxxxxxxxxxxx                                               Nationality: British                                                           Driving Licence: Full UK Clean

Theatre:

                                  

                                    Dance Teacher                    2013 - Present             Diamond School of Performing Arts       

                                     Dance Teacher                              2013 - 2014                Funstar Education

                                      Dance Teacher                              2013 - Present              The Kelly Marie School

Dance Teacher                   2012 - Present               Beacon Arts 

  Volunteer Dancer - Spirit of the Flame    08/2012       Olympic Stadium

      Cover Teacher                               2011/2012    Leanne Hughes Theatre School

Tesco Advert                   Extra               08/2011               Extras Broadcasting

Isme Advert                     Extra               08/2011               Extras Broadcasting

Barcardi Advert               Extra               04/2011               Extras Broadcasting

Range: A below top C - F below middle C

Special Skills - Dance : Ballet, Tap*, Jazz*, Contemporary*, National, Greek, Contact*, Jazz pas de deux*, Choreography, Fdi in Tap, Over Adv 2 in both Tap and Modern ISTD.

Other: Basic Gymnastics, Basic Roller skating/blading, Athletics, Flute - Grade 3, CRB Checked.

WORK CV
So this is my CV that I hand out for 'normal' jobs (so to speak)

Stephanie Jones

Mobile –  xxxxxxxxxxxx   Email –   xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Personal Information

D.O.B – 28/10/1990

Driving Licence – UK Full Clean

I am a hardworking individual who can work well in a team, as well as alone. I can supervise other members of staff as this was shown in my previous job. My experience is mainly retail, but I have done other jobs at some time or another. In my spare time I enjoy performing, teaching dance, taking longs walks with my dogs, exercise, baking and cross stitch.

Skills Profile

·         Knowledge of MS word, excel, and powerpoint.

·         Strong communication skills.

·         Can work well in a team or alone.

·         Good office based skills.

·         Good customer facing skills.

·         Self motivated.

Employment

Screwfix – November 2012 till present.

·         Trade supervisor – managing two members of staff on a daily basis.

·         Customer facing duties.

·         General office duties.

·         Sales driven role.

Beacon Arts – November 2012 till present

·         Teaching dance to children ages 6 to 14 in tap and modern.

B&Q PLC – April 2009 – November 2012

·         Customer sales assistant – helping members of the public.

·         Working on a till, handling money on a daily basis.

·         In charge of training new members of staff.

·         Sales driven role.

Education

Bird College – September 2007 – July 2010

Station Road, Sidcup DA15 7EB

National Diploma in Musical Theatre – Merit Plus.

Cedars Upper School – September 2004 – July 2007

Mentmore Road, Leighton Buzzard LU7 2AE

GCSE

English Language                      A                                  French                          B                                

English Literature                       B                                  Business Studies          B

Maths                                       B                                  World History                C

Science (Double A                   C                                  Drama                          B

Reference

Lisa Sabatini (Owner of Beacon Arts) 

Lee McLaughlin (Manager of Screwfix Bletchley) 

So there you go - in my dream world that I like to go into sometimes, i would really like just one CV that I could use for both, but I don't think it would be possible?? Or does anyone have any ideas on what I could do?? Answers on a postcard please :)

Steph xxx


Just deleted some important info - as of the words of the scarecrow 'If I only had a brain.....'
(The Wizard of Oz, 1939) Thanks guys :) what would I do without you :)

Feeling Nostalgic

Hello again,

I can't believe I'm already writing again! I thought it would be a lot harder, but I felt I had to share this :)

So as I'm sure everyone is aware, Facebook is 10 years old today. It is my most used social networking site (Twitter is a very close 2nd) and I can't go a day without checking to see what has happened or if I have any notifications! I'm an addict!

So for their 10th birthday, the workers at Facebook have done a 'Facebook Movie' for everyone showcasing all their favourite posts, when they started using Facebook, most liked things etc.
And I love mine, it brings back some really good memories that must have been lodged in the back of my mind as I wouldn't have remembered them otherwise. Everyone is sharing them, and its nice to watch everyones - I got a warm fuzzy feeling inside which was lovely!


I feel better now I've shared this - I think it's always good to share things with other people - except chocolate :)


Steph x

Beginning

Hello Everyone,

This is the beginning of my Blog which I hope that you enjoy reading my posts over the next 15 months. 
Welcome to all the 'Newbies' who are just starting the course today like me, and hello to everyone else who is already doing the course.

So unfortunately I didn't go to the induction day, which I am quite disappointed about, since I have read some other blogs (bit of research :-)) and they described it as a really beneficial and enjoyable day. However, I did find my conversation with Paula reassuring so I think I will be fine and I'm sure I will find some people who will be in the same boat as me if I ever get stuck!

So what do I expect from the course? In all honestly I haven't got a scooby doo! I have read the module and other things, but I'm excited and curious in how I am going to decipher all the information into my own words, feelings, observations etc.


I'm pleased I took the decision to do this course, thanks to a few friends giving me some gentle persuasion(!) and encouragement that I will succeed, I hope to do them, myself and everyone proud of the achievement that I hope to have at the end of this course :)



Steph x