Jacob's experience of engaging with knowledge exchange

Jacob Bradshaw gained key industry experience through the Plymouth University Professional Opportunities Scheme (PUPOS)

During his time at the University of Plymouth, studying BA (Hons) Music, Jacob was able to gain key experience in industry through the knowledge exchange opportunities available to him within the Plymouth University Professional Opportunities Scheme (PUPOS).

What is PUPOS?

PUPOS is an ongoing Knowledge Exchange project, which creates opportunities for students on the undergraduate music course to gain relevant experience working with local community organisations, schools and businesses as part of their degree. PUPOS provides a mutually beneficial exchange; the students are able to gain crucial experience in a variety of industry sectors to build their key employability skills, while the external partners involved gain valuable support from students who are eager to put their studies and passion for music into practice.

Lee (Whittock, manager of PUPOS) put me in contact with a number of different community organisations which kick-started my work search whilst I was still studying. I would be teaching during the day on a Tuesday at Tor Bridge Community College and working at Plymouth Music Zone in the evening. It was great to have a CV full of experience before I’d even finished my degree.

Jacob Bradshaw, BA (Hons) Music Graduate

What has Jacob gained from engaging in knowledge exchange?

"Awareness of working in industry, which provided valuable experience to support his studies and develop a deeper understanding of the career path he wanted to pursue.
"An opportunity to gain valuable connections within local community organisations and businesses, which have provided a springboard into a vibrant career.
"Both personal and professional development; from new skills in teaching and professionalism to building his confidence through positive feedback and experiences.

Jacob's was involvement with the professional opportunities scheme right through from his first year to his final year, allowed him to gain in-depth experience of a diverse range of roles within industry. One of Jacob’s experiences included working with a group of Year 9 students at a local school, leading them week on week, building their confidence in musical performance. As a result of Jacob’s hard work, the students felt confident enough in their musical abilities that they performed together in their school’s talent show.

“It was a good experience and it tied into what I would be doing in the workplace; since then I’ve been working in adult care centres, palliative care homes and a number of community interest companies. I’ve also been working for myself as a guitar tutor and so that experience had been a real springboard, I really take my hat off to Lee for being so supportive to all of us.” – Jacob Bradshaw, BA (Hons) Music Graduate

Jacob Bradshaw and Rowan at Torbridge High

Jacob and Rowan at Torbridge School

Drum session at PMZ

Another of Jacob’s experiences under PUPOS involved working with Plymouth Music Zone (PMZ). A job role which began as supporting daily tasks such as putting out chairs and setting up drums, evolved quickly into leading sessions and working with attendees who live with severe complex needs. Jacob’s time at Plymouth Music Zone, placed in a unique position of trust, not only benefitted his professional and personal journey, but also caused him to change his academic interest, steering his studies toward how music can be used as therapy.

“From that time, it really changed my interest moving forward into my second and third year, into the therapeutic benefit of music and it changed my trajectory because I was able to really experience first-hand the therapeutic aid that music offers the community at large.” - Jacob Bradshaw, BA (Hons) Music Graduate

Since graduating from The University of Plymouth in 2019, Jacob has worked with a multitude of organisations including Theatre Royal, Plymouth Academy of Creative Arts, Find Your Voice CIC, Far Flung Dance Theatre CIC, as well as working as a self-employed guitar tutor.