So, now the relevant offices return from their Christmas holidays, myself and the others on ETS Prague intake are hoping to get a few queries cleared up…

It is only 6 days to go & it seems no of us are any the wiser. Having spoken to Maria at ETS this morning, I’m told this is nothing unusual… We arrive on Sunday in 2 batches, one flight from Stanstead and one from Birmingham. Yet, none of us know exactly where we are going to be placed (accommodation or organisation wise!) We’ve all selected our top 3 choices, so I’m keeping my fingers crossed.

Rather than panic, I’m seeing it as an adventure! And I feel like I need one! Graduating into design when all you hear on TV & in the papers is talk of job cuts & recession makes the placement route feel more valid than ever. I had been offered a job with a small printing firm back in Septemeber… but didn’t feel it was quite for me & took on my old job at JJB Sports as a stop gap.

After some soul searching, I found myself digging around for an email all the students received from Ian Weir (3rd Year BAGC Tutor) in March from ECTARC -Wales’s answer to Leonardo. I made a call & found out that I’d have to try ETS, England’s Leonardo arm, who are based in Lichfield, Staffordshire. This was due to me moving back home to Derby & no longer living in Wales, and therefore ineligible for any help from ECTARC. Maria Massarotto was the lady I spoke to at ETS, and within 2 weeks of making the call, an interview was set!

Armed with my portfolio & feeling ridiculously overdressed, I made the short drive down the A38 to the pretty market town of Lichfield. It turns out that I shouldn’t have been so nervous, as the interview seemed more to do with picking my top 3 choices of companies of who I want to be placed with, and filling out the extensive medical questionnaire. 

All that I have to do now is wait on the details & pack for the cold!