Current employer: University of St Mark & St John; Self-employed
Current job title: Faculty Director; Learning, Teaching & Student Experience and Organisational and Staff Development Consultant
Current location: Plymouth
“You definitely get out what you put into your course, so make the most of it! Take advantage of everything that is on offer during your time at university and network like mad.”
Tell us about your career path since graduation.
"I was appointed as Faculty Director of Learning, Teaching and Student Experience shortly after completing my doctorate and now have a university wide role as Associate Director of Learning and Teaching. My consultancy work continues as before, although I suspect that having a doctorate adds some weight to what I have to offer to client organisations."
Has your career path changed since graduation?
"Yes, I had not anticipated moving into a role in my institution other than the senior lecturer post that I previously held. I am also now engaging in collaborative research projects with colleagues at other universities in the UK and overseas which has led to some publications. This has been a thoroughly enjoyable experience."
What is the best, most exciting or fun thing that you have done in your career?
"My career has involved a lot of travelling within the UK and overseas which has been fantastic, but I think that working with people from different cultures and the on-going variety of my work are the main highlights."
What advice would you give to anyone wanting to get in to the same line of work?
"Be flexible, be well-informed and be bold: resilience is a must and, most of all, don’t even think about it if you don’t enjoy working closely with people from all walks of life."
"It certainly contributed to me having the confidence to apply for the faculty director’s role and enabled me to see many things differently."
"Most of all though, it reassured me that despite my advanced years I could still engage with learning and complex ideas and that I still have something to contribute."
