As much as you're comfortable, can you tell us a bit about your caring responsibilities, how long you've had them, and how they fit with your studying?

I'm a postgraduate student pursuing MSc. e-Business Management course specialising in Cloud and Machine Learning. Along with my studies, I'm working as an IT Project Support Engineer at IATL, University of Warwick. My son is 3 years old and he goes to nursery twice a week. My husband supports me in taking care of the child. My daily routine include household work, studies and part-time work. So, it is really important for me to prioritize my tasks and manage my time effectively.

What are the main challenges of balancing studying at Warwick with caring responsibilities?

Kids tend to pick up infections very quickly. When my son goes to nursery, he gets infections so frequently that sometimes he passes over infections to me and my husband. It is difficult manage everything in such situations. Fortunately, my part-time employer allows me to work from home and flexibility in working hours. However, sometimes I fall behind in my studies so it takes extra effort to catch up when everyone is feeling better.

Which of the 12 core skills at the heart of the Warwick Award have your caring responsibilities in particular helped you develop? Please include brief examples if you can.

• Teamwork: Working with my husband to take care of our child has taught me how to work effectively in a team, communicate clearly, and delegate tasks.
• Communication: I have learned to communicate effectively with my son's nursery staff, my husband, and my part-time employer to ensure that everyone is on the same page and my caring responsibilities are being met.
• Problem-solving: Caring for a child often requires creative problem-solving skills, such as finding new ways to keep a toddler entertained or handle his tantrums.
• Self-Awareness: My caring responsibilities have taught me to manage my time effectively, prioritize tasks, and develop a routine that works for me and my family.
• Professionalism: Caring for a child while studying and working requires a high degree of professionalism. I should be organized and reliable in order to meet all of my commitments.
• Critical Thinking: Balancing caring responsibilities with studying and working requires a lot of critical thinking. I have to prioritize tasks and make decisions about what is most important at any given time. Sometimes I have to think creatively and come up with new solutions to problems that arise.

What made you sign up for the Warwick Award?

The Warwick Award provides an opportunity to develop and showcase a range of transferable skills and experiences beyond academic achievement. The skills developed through Warwick Award are highly sought after by employers in the competitive job market.

How did you find working through the Award's activity for students with caring responsibilities? Was it a useful exercise? Did it teach you anything new about yourself and the skills you've built?

I found the course to be very informative and useful in helping me to better prepare for interviews and enhance my transferable skills. The duration and content of the course were well-structured and comprehensive, and I really appreciated the inclusion of various activities and resources that helped me to reflect on my experiences and develop my skills. In particular, I found the journal activity to be very helpful in building a good set of examples for my transferable skills.

What would you say to any other students with caring responsibilities who might be considering the Warwick Award?

The Warwick Award is a fantastic opportunity to showcase your skills and experiences beyond your academic achievements. It allows you to develop and showcase a range of transferable skills that are highly valued by employers. Balancing caring responsibilities with academic and professional pursuits can be challenging, but the Warwick Award recognizes and values the skills that you develop through these responsibilities. I would encourage other students with caring responsibilities to utilise this opportunity to showcase their skills by applying for the Warwick Award.

Find out more about the Warwick Award, including how and where to register.