A life in the day ... of a UEL worker.
So this idea is intriguing. A snapshot into the lives of people, given to you as if you were allowed to sit in their pockets for a day.
A day in UEL clearing is multifaceted, bringing both joy and disappointment, anger and a sense of resignation. It is a job both invigorating and tiring and after two weeks there I know more about UCAS than I did when I went to uni myself....
As the 5am alarm bell calls, the DLR is not far behind, the circle line being the only obstruction.
I tell you something, King's Cross shows far too many signs of life at that time of the morning. For some people, 6am tube rides are the norm. -huh?
Sleep and a delve into CityAM [[quite possibly the actual most soulless publication I have ever read, without an ounce of intriguing content...]] which induces further snoozing until Cypress.
A well received brioche and a cup of tea are the perfect end to the hour long journey in, courtesy of UEL. Hazy faced hotline staff hover about before the voices come flooding in and our backsides become molded to our chairs for 12 hours.
By the time we get to our phones, the voices are already waiting on all other sides. Call, chat, transfer, click. Call, chat.... Suprisingly, this first day brings less stress than anticipated, with tears kept to a minimum and rituals of politeness well observed. Endless departments are sent applicants, endless e-mails sent, strange questions asked, and many cups of tea made. Students from all over continue to flood and flood our lines with hopes of their acceptance.
With barely enough time to dial " #2# 3333 * c " before the next call comes, we head off for breaks in rounds. My favourite part of the office is the view. Situated right by London's City Airport, we sit and watch as other people fly away whilst we are chained to our headsets and the voices. Sounds depressing, but it is actually a very inspiring sight. Planes have a strange power to them that always makes you stare as you wonder how on earth they are being lifted up and not falling back down again....
As the hours pass the calls get slightly more frantic, as you'd expect. Front-desk duty is worse than the phones. You find yourself trying to put people on hold when they are stood in front of you - somehow doesn't quite work. Physical people are harder to make wait than phone-callers, and the frustration in their expressions is painful to see as you realise your not being efficient enough as they might hope. To each applicant, clearing revolves around them and their place, and 100 other people are totally not having the same problem as they are.
As you can tell, brain function gets scarily impractical as people start connecting to the wrong extensions and wearing their headsets to the loo. Furthermore, the job takes over your life for the days of service, as you speak in phone-lingo to everyone you encounter and can hear phone's ringing as you eat supper... Good job the atmosphere in the office was jolly and the desks surrounding me filled with people who were both helpful and comical.
And most of the students are worth it. Hearing the little voices brighten and breathe gusts of relief makes all your efforts to get them a course worthwhile. UEL is not a university that prides itself on its "league table place", but values the precious nature of education and the importance being able to learn. Many of our applicants were not suited to the systems of school in order to achieve A*s, had personal family histories which hindered them, or wanted to further their education in the one thing they loved, not english maths science and a language.
Seeing more money than I have ever seen spent at Kings being poured into their multi-million pound sports centre and Olympic involvement, their accommodation, their business incentives (amazing opportunities to have your own office with them).... UEL gives those a chance to an education who may not have been the best in their class. You come to lose the snobbery perhaps assumed by top league-table institutions as you see the appreciation of those who are able to clutch onto further education in the areas they long for.
On the flip side....
Despite the utter irritation caused by people calling with no idea of what they wanted to do, asking only what courses they could get onto with 70 UCAS points (oh, it happened pretty regularly), we had to try and refine their search in order to find them something. If someone really doesn't care what they study as long as they get to uni, why oh why are they spending all that money?!? But you can't say that on the phone. Some people really deserve the opportunity to continue their studies, and some people are clearly unfortunate victims of the "must-go-to-uni" society that we live in. University is sadly a knee jerk reaction for too many people, something which will be interesting to observe with the horrendous fee increases next year. The knees, predictably, will not jerk quite so hard.
Journey home and a time to more fully appreciate the splendor of the views on the Dockland's line. Flipping impressive. After flying through Canary Wharf one gets a view of the O2 from every angle- reminders of "school trips to the Dome in 2000" and consequent conversations being sparked.
Cypress - TowerGateway/Bank - Circle Line - King's Cross - Home.
Head goes to pillow and wakes up again at 5am.
Helping people, creating futures, being shouted at.
Best. Day. Ever.
