Maisarah A.
About me
| Maisarah A. | |
| Language and Linguistic Science | |
| English Language and Linguistics | |
| Taught Postgraduate | |
| Alcuin | |
| 2017 | |
| Malaysia |
My employment
| Private Tutor | |
| Saudi Arabia |
More about Maisarah
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A day in the life of a Private Tutor in Saudi Arabia
Try to network as much as possible to learn from others as well as seek a new experience.
Briefly describe the organisation you work for
Self-employed
What do you do?
Currently working with students in Year 5 and teaching them English and Maths in preparation for their 11-plus exams
Reflecting upon your past employment and education, what led you to your current career choice?
After graduation, I contacted my IB French teacher who recommended I give in my CV to the school. By a stroke of luck, I was offered a job as a substitute teacher's assistant. Even though I initially did not want to become a teacher, I learned to love working with kids and helping them reach their potential. After six months of working with the school, I took some time off before starting a master's in education. Even though I liked research, I decided I liked working with kids more. Therefore, I am due to start a PGCE in August and am currently tutoring students.
Is your current job sector different from what you thought you would enter when you graduated?
Yes, definitely! It was all by luck.
Describe your most memorable day at work
As a substitute, I had no idea when I would be called in. To fill my time, I volunteered at school on the days I did not work. Sometimes, my volunteering would overlap my work. I wanted to start a mental health campaign and gave speeches on the topic. My most memorable day was when I held my first assembly where I talked to Reception and Key Stage 1 students on kindness. It was scary at first, but I warmed up to the kids.
Are there any challenges associated with your job?
Working with kids can be both a blessing and a curse. There are days where both myself and the students are at our peak, but there are also days where we would feel unmotivated and challenged. I just learned to go with the flow and try to encourage positivity as much as possible.
What extracurricular activities did you undertake at university and what transferable skills did you develop through these?
I was the sponsorship officer of the Malaysian society, an events officer for the Islamic society, and co-founder of the York-ASEAN society. Each role had its differences, but overall, helped shaped the person I became. I built confidence in public speaking and networking as my role required me to be pro-active in both the committee and society. Event planning came natural to me after two years of taking part. Communication is definitely a key skill I learnt in all my roles in three committees.
What top tips do you have for York students preparing for today’s job market and life after graduation?
Don't be afraid to try new things. A career in a certain field may never have crossed your mind, but you never know what kind of opportunity is available. Try to network as much as possible to learn from others as well as seek a new experience.
Next steps...
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