Yesterday I graduated from Bath University with a degree in architecture.

The Bath University Architecture School is recognised as one of the best in the country (Times = #2 in UK, Independent = #3, Guardian = #4) and architecture commonly held as one of the most difficult degrees (“archi-torture”), so I am very please to have successfuly graduated. Having worked in architecture practices on placement over the last few years, a full time job is much easier than an architecture degree; although despite its time demands student life did allow more flexibility.

I now plan a holiday followed by a job; sadly a councillor’s allowance is not sufficient to keep me fed and answering emails. My colleague, Cllr Armand Edwards, shall be doing twice the work while I’m away, I doubt anyone will even notice my absence for a few weeks!

While some of the questions from the nice lady at the Chron were a tad predictable (what’s it like being a councillor?…) she did raise an interesting point. Will Bathwick residents respect an employed councillor more than a student one? Even if we are to assume an inherent prejudice against youth, I hope that after our first year of office most people will acknowledge the work which Armand and I have done regardless of employment status. Then again, most Bathwick residents are actually students themselves, living on the Claverton campus.

Finally, am I going to give up my council position now that I have graduated? No. I didn’t put that much effort into the election campaign to give it up after just one year!