Category: Other

Employer Digital Skills Profile Series – Week 6 – Aled Ellis & Co. Estate Agency

Shân Saunders Employer Digital Skills Profile Series, Other Leave a comment

Our sixth Employer Profile is with the estate agency Aled Ellis & Co. based in Aberystwyth. In the profile below, Aled Ellis & Co. state the importance of social media and marketing in their business as well as digital identity. View some resources below to develop these skills.

Text Version

Company: Aled Ellis & Co.

Company Size: 4 members in the core team

Founded: 1998

Where is the company based: Aberystwyth-based but covers from Tywyn down to New Quay across mid-Wales

Examples of typical graduate roles:

  • Sales negotiator
  • Admin assistant

Essential Digital Skills We Value:
Digital Identity – Very important to present a welcoming, helpful identity to clients and this extends to how prospective employees present themselves through their communication.
Digital Communication – Contact with vendors, buyers and sellers via email, WhatsApp and voice notes.
Digital Creation – Splice, Canva and other video editing software.

Did Covid change the company and the way it is run?:
“Before Covid we hardly used our WhatsApp group but now we use it all the time and it allowed us to work remotely which is something we still do. Another thing is being able to communicate with sellers abroad and that is only possible with video calls or messages.”

What are the key personal skills in Estate Agency?:
“For anyone who wants to go into any sales role then customer service is so important. Making sure that your client is 100% satisfied is the key. Communication skills are the most important part of our jobs. Some clients prefer to communicate via certain platforms, or only in Welsh, so being across all various different communication platforms and then being willing to communicate with clients in their preferred manner is great.”

Are there any digital skills weaknesses in your team?:
“Definitely social media. There was no social media presence when the business first started but now we do virtual tours, we post all our properties on Facebook and Instagram ad we have a YouTube channel. It is so key to the estate agency industry and the graduate generation are more up to date with using it, so to be able to have that ability to use social media, along with maybe marketing skills too, will go a long way.”

Do you think people overlook digital skills in estate agencies?:
“Without a doubt. As well as social media just being computer literate is so important. We use a system called Vebra to upload all of our properties and contacts so to be able to use and navigate these digital tools is vital. Being able to pick up a new system quickly will get you really far in our business!”

Aled Ellis Website

Produced by the Student Digital Champions

International Women’s Day 2024 #InspireInclusion

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Today we are celebrating International Women’s Day! The theme this year is #InspireInclusion and it provides an important moment to celebrate the cultural, political and socio-economic achievements of women, and a day to urge us all to work together towards a more inclusive and equitable future.

Here is a selection of LinkedIn Learning videos and courses, inspired by International Women’s Day. You can access these videos with your free Aberystwyth University LinkedIn Learning account.

  1. What is inclusion? (2m)
  2. Gender equity for women (6m)
  3. Women transforming tech: Breaking bias (22m)
  4. Becoming a male ally at work (39m)
  5. Nano Tips for Identifying and Overcoming Unconscious Bias in the Workplace (6m)
  6. Men as allies (3m)
  7. Fighting gender bias at work (14m)
  8. Inclusive female leadership (40m)

If you need any support with accessing or navigating LinkedIn Learning, please contact the Digital Skills Team (digi@aber.ac.uk).

Come to our Digital Skills Drop-ins throughout Semester 2

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A member of the team will be available each week to support both students and staff at one of our weekly Digital Skills drop-ins.

We can help you with:

  • Finding resources that you can use to develop your digital skills
  • Providing basic support for using Microsoft software (e.g. PowerPoint, Excel, Word, Teams and Outlook)
  • Giving general advice about developing your digital skills
  • Discussing your Digital Discovery Tool report 

📍 We’ll be at the Skills Hub (indicated by the star on the image below) on Level D of the Hugh Owen library on the below Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 11:00-12:00 throughout Semester 2. If you have any questions, please email digi@aber.ac.uk.

Tuesday
⏰ 11:00-12:00		Wednesday
⏰ 11:00-12:00
16 January ’2424 January ’24
30 January ’247 February ’24
13 February ’2421 February ’24
27 February ’246 March ’24
12 March ’2420 March ’24
No drop-in sessions over EasterNo drop-in sessions over Easter
16 April ’2424 April ’24
30 April ’248 May ’24

Merry Christmas from the Digital Skills Team! 🎄✨

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It has been a very busy year for us all at the Digital Skills Team! Over the past year we’ve created a range of new resources and events, including:

We hope that some of the resources above have been useful in supporting you to develop your own digital skills, and we’d like to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and we look forward to continuing to support you in the new year!

Navigating Digital Wellbeing: A Personal Journey in the Digital Age

Noela Czempik [mnc7] Digital Wellbeing Series, Other, Student Digital Champions Leave a comment

Blogpost by Noel Czempik (Student Digital Champion)

As a Student Digital Champion, I embarked on a quest to better understand our digital world and its impact on our lives. Despite acquiring knowledge about the tools and resources it offers, I was discontent with my relationship with technology. This discontent prompted deeper introspection and a lot of research, leading to a profound realisation: Digital Wellbeing isn’t a fixed destination but an ongoing journey demanding a diverse set of skills for navigation.

The Digital Revolution: Embracing Change Through History

Technological progress in recent decades has reshaped our lives. We’ve transitioned from clunky landlines to sleek, multifunctional devices that fit snugly in our pockets. This shift isn’t solely about convenience; it’s a fundamental change that has redefined how we communicate, learn, work and unwind. It has also brought concerns – digital reliance, information overload, and the impact on the health and wellbeing of digital natives.

Although not entirely novel, our current experiences echo past technological revolutions. Similar anxieties existed during historical milestones, such as the reading panic caused by the printing press; back then, the world grappled with an information explosion, much like we face today. Understanding this historical perspective sheds light on our contemporary challenges.

Unravelling the Intricacies of Digital Wellbeing

Digital wellbeing encompasses all facets of life affected by technology. Its complexity is fueled by the pace of digital evolution, individual differences in how we respond to technology and diverse circumstances. Thriving in the digital world demands a nuanced and continually adaptive approach. It’s not solely about restricting screen time; in fact, challenging the superficiality of such limitations might prompt us to engage with our devices mindfully and with empowerment.

Our Digital Wellbeing Matters

In a world where screens are omnipresent and connectivity is perpetual, our digital habits can profoundly impact our mental, emotional, and physical health. Harnessing the advantages of living in a digital era with healthy boundaries ensures technology enriches rather than overwhelms our lives. Prioritising digital wellbeing is an investment in our overall quality of life, empowering us to navigate the digital landscape with resilience, mindfulness, and a sense of control.

Exploring Digital Wellbeing Together

This blog post initiates a series focused on digital wellbeing. In the upcoming blogposts, we’ll delve into specific aspects, including maintaining ergonomic practices while using devices, understanding the impact of technology on mental and emotional health, and strategies for enhancing productivity in a digitally driven world. Our aim is to equip you with insights and tools to navigate your personal journey.

We hope to inspire you to identify the areas where improvements are possible and those where you find contentment. Let’s navigate this digital landscape together!

Come to our Digital Skills Drop-ins throughout Semester 1

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A member of the team will be available each week to support both students and staff at one of our weekly Digital Skills drop-ins.

We can help you find resources that you can use to develop your digital skills; give you general advice about developing your digital skills; and we are also very happy to discuss your Digital Discovery Tool reports. 

📍 We’ll be at the Skills Hub (indicated by the star on the image below) on Level D of the Hugh Owen library on the below Tuesdays and Wednesdays throughout Semester 1. If you have any questions, please email digi@aber.ac.uk.

Tuesdays
⏰ 11:00-12:00		Wednesdays
⏰ 10:00-11:00
3 October ’2311 October ’23
17 October ’2325 October ’23
31 October ’238 November ’23
14 November ’2322 November ’23
28 November ’236 December ’23
12 December ’23

New Member of the team! 

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Hello everyone! My name is Jia Ping Lee and I have joined the Digital Skills team as a digital capabilities and skills development coordinator.  

I completed my undergraduate studies in Genetics at Aberystwyth and recently returned home from China after 4 years as an English Teacher for young children. 

I am looking forward to supporting and working with staff and students at the university to help develop their digital skills and become digitally confident, as we all try to navigate and keep up with our constantly evolving digital society. 

New Team Member!

Shân Saunders Other Leave a comment

Hello everyone, my name is Shân Saunders, and I am the new digital capabilities and skills development coordinator. I completed my undergraduate and MPhil at Aberystwyth and since graduating in 2022 I have been looking to work with student engagement and satisfaction. I have also been a member of the Your Voice Matters team since September 2021. I have been working with the digital skills team since August 2022 and have so far worked on JISC’s Digital Discovery Tool and the Digital Skills Library. I’m really looking forward to working on the Digital Skills Festival in November 2023 and overall discussing what we offer to students and how we can improve the delivery of our resources. I am also looking forward to the opportunity to conduct more focus groups and training with students and staff surrounding digital skills and resources.