Oliver Twelftree

In breaks in my study, during my university holidays my job is a demolition labourer.

During my role as a labourer I was trained to safely and sufficiently demolish various structures ranging from walls, floors, ceilings and fences just to name a few, using a vast range of equipment and techniques by hand to complete jobs effectively. Within this job I am also required to work with heavy machinery in a responsible and productive capacity, needing the focus to be aware of my surroundings whilst still completing the tasks that I am assigned to complete whilst keeping the safety of myself and those around me as the primary concern on the job site. Additionally, in my role as a labourer I am required to meet and work with new people often, whether it is with people from other trades or new members of the team at AC demolition. This learnt ability to work with and around others is an important skill as it provides the perspective that individual tasks contribute to a greater goal, similar to the process of winemaking. During my time working in demolition, I have had my fair share of un-glamorous roles, which I am always happy to take on when asked, as someone has to do it!

The main takeaways that I have come away with within this role are:

• Ability to learn and use a large range of tools and techniques quickly and sufficiently
• Be aware of surroundings and people at all times when working with dangerous equipment and machines
• Meet, for a relationship and work with others from a range of backgrounds
• Work as as a team, performing individual tasks to achieve a greater goal
• Be willing to perform all tasks regardless of the job

Tennis coaching is my part-time job that I work outside of university hours.

My role as a tennis coach provides a lot of challenges and reward, my role is to develop tennis players irrespective of level, age and commitment to the sport in individual and group sessions. Time management is a key factor that must be mastered as a tennis coach as often there is limited time to help improve someones skills, so lesson plans are paramount to maximising the productivity of a session. Another aspect of being a tennis coach is having the ability to communicate and demonstrate to others, of whom learn in different ways so being able to understand other people character and how they learn as well as being able to portray a concept is a skill that took time to master. Being a leader in individual and group scenarios is another skill that I have developed as a tennis coach, as communication varies consistently depending on age, gender and number of people that I coach, which has made me comfortable talking to and helping all types of people.

The main things that I have learnt whilst coaching tennis are:

• Ability to have good time management when given a timed situation
• The skill of communicating to people that are of different backgrounds and learning capabilities
• Being able to lead large and small groups of people
• Learning how to maximise productivity depending on the way different people function
• Be accountable for others investment through time and money to give them an improvement in return

My first job was as a bottle-shop attendant which I worked during the summer holidays of school.

My role as a bottle-shop attendant was to ensure stock was always available within the store. I would be told what products needed to be put away which was a repetitive task, however taught me how to maintain focus even when performing easy or mundane jobs. Often I would be asked by customers where different products in the store where or would need to take items that where purchased out to their vehicles, these small actions developed skills customer service and how to keep consumers happy.

Main takeaways from my time as a bottle-shop attendant:

• Learn how to maintain focus during a working day
• How to complete repetitive tasks whilst maintaining productivity
• How to keep consumers happy and know my place within the company