Merry Christmas

So, Santa has really treated me this Christmas. I must have been a hard little worker this year because there was my Ted Baker bag sat gracefully under the tree. That aside, I have unwrapped a few great books that I am very excited about digging into. 

Therefore, I will be flicking through them in the next few week and taking my hand at writing a few reviews on here. Hopefully, it will give you a feel of what to spend your granny's Christmas pennies on in the new year. 

Have a fantastic Christmas - I hope you eat all your mince pies, drink all your mulled wine and get happily fat (if there was ever such a thing). 

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!
 

TAX AVOIDANCE SCHEME SEES FACEBOOK IN THE FIRING LINE

FACEBOOK is under fire after allegations it paid only £200,000 in UK corporation tax, despite earnings of up to £175m.

The social networking site is the latest business in the scandal after Google, Amazon and Starbucks were also exposed for tax avoidance.

Facebook achieved this by channelling a large portion of their sales through its Irish subsidiary.

The media giants also only paid £2.9m overseas revenue from its £800m profit in 2011.

Facebook’s vice president and managing director in Europe, Joanna Shields, defended the company’s actions:  “The reason those companies make those decisions is because of the investment environment and the tax environment.”

Facebook joins a recent group of businesses that have been uncovered for dodging UK corporation tax.

In 2010, eBay attempted to cut its £51m debt by paying only £1m tax on sales of £789m after diverting money through overseas companies.

Ikea paid only £8.1million of corporation tax from £1.2billion earnings in the year 2011.

In November, the Public Accounts Committee saw spokesmen from Amazon, Starbucks and Google grilled by MP’s over the alleged accusations.

Margaret Hodge MP, Chairman of the PAC, said: “We’re not accusing you of being illegal, we are accusing you of being immoral.”

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The Road to Career Success

Recently, I graduated university with a 2.1 degree in BA Journalism. Since then, it has been a constant battle to try and get a job in the industry that excites me. I know that, nowadays, it isn't enough to just plod along to university and carry out your studies. Companies want real life experience in the sector that you are applying within and for you to show that you are devoted to the media industry outside of work. Well that’s what I do.  I have worked at three newspapers, a radio station and the student magazine, as well as, having my own blog and visiting the TV show ‘Question Time.’ Still, this doesn’t seem to be enough. Don’t get me wrong, I know an individual has to be suited to a specific company and I am always looking at new ways to improve my writing, experience and career. I am just waiting for that break, something it seems many students in several career areas are also waiting for. I do question at times whether university prepares you well enough after graduation. I finished in July studying the course that I adored, spending until 10 pm at night in the newsroom that has inspired me to become the tenacious, creative and persistent person that I am today.

Now, I am working in a factory that is run by an agency, making cardboard boxes and putting cake in trays. It is not what I want to do; however, I’ve decided to take a different approach to how I perceive it. If I want to succeed, I need to continue learning and developing skills that are vital to the journalism industry. Therefore, it is pivotal that I understand how my current job creates the opportunity for me to show how incredibly hard I work in a high-pressure environment. Leaving the house at 5 am and returning as late at 10 pm, shows my attitude towards a working life. Performing duties that require heavy lifting and – therefore – discomfort, highlights my persistence and eagerness to work through any hurdles that may occur. Working in a team that would fall apart if one person failed at their role on the machinery, shows how well we must communicate and cooperate with each other.

Therefore, I urge anyone who is still seeking a graduate job to search for the positives in what they are doing on a daily basis, as well as, to think about how it can improve their career path to their desired profession. In this modern day economy, jobs are few and far between. Therefore, I am determined to work harder than I ever have, to keep writing and to practice the trade that I am inspired by every day. When I get there, I know that any other obstacles can always be overcome with a large amount of eagerness and determination. 

UPDATES

Lots of updates to come on here! Sorry that I have been absent, however, work is hectic with the Christmas period coming up. However, I promise to devote full attention to this blog from now on and my love of everything newsy!

Coming up, expect London spectacular 'Rock of Ages' review, why you should choose Costa coffee over Starbucks and I'll also look at whether universities are doing enough to set students up for the work place after graduation.

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