I studied Geography with a Year Abroad at Swansea University and worked as an au pair in Paris during the summer holidays.<\/p>\n
After graduating, I returned to France, to take a TEFL course and teach business English in Paris and Montpelier.\u00a0My interest in learning and development really stems from that experience \u2013 I like learning myself and get a lot of satisfaction from helping others to learn.<\/p>\n
On returning to the UK in 2000, I taught English to Japanese students on a summer school at Nottingham University.\u00a0I really liked the university environment so applied for a job there as an Administrative Assistant.<\/p>\n
For family reasons, we relocated to Kent in 2001 and I joined Kent Business School as the Programmes Administrator, moving to the School of English in 2003 as Academic Administrator (now School Administration Manager).<\/p>\n
I work alongside the Head of School to manage all areas of the School\u2019s business; for example, managing the budget, HR, strategic planning, learning and teaching, research, student experience and recruitment and marketing.<\/p>\n I love the variety of the role.\u00a0I also enjoy being in an academic environment \u2013 you feel that you are contributing to students\u2019 futures and helping them have a fantastic experience while they\u2019re here.\u00a0It\u2019s great to see academic colleagues being so passionate about their research and teaching and to be part of a successful School.<\/p>\n As I\u2019m bilingual \u2013 fluent in French as well as speaking a bit of Spanish \u2013 I have also been able to get involved with our Paris centre, for example, helping with school liaison.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n I started my MBA in 2005 studying part-time with the Open University.\u00a0The organisation was fantastic and enabled me to really fit my studies around work.\u00a0I was part-funded by the University and given some time off to study. I took a long break when my daughter was born \u2013 she\u2019s now seven \u2013 and graduated in July 2013.<\/p>\n The MBA has really helped me in my work at Kent.\u00a0In the final year, we had to complete a project that would make a difference to both you and your organisation.\u00a0I had enjoyed the pilot of LPPSM (Leadership Programme for Professional Services Managers) in 2010, but felt there was a gap for managers at grades 6 and 7.<\/p>\n So, as part of my OU project, I worked in partnership with Learning and Development to start the Developing Management Skills (DMS) programme and, in January 2013, 13 people were selected for the pilot course.\u00a0It went really well and is now in its sixth cohort.<\/p>\n I still act as a facilitator for the programme and am part of the design team.\u00a0As I was sponsored by the University in my own studies, it\u2019s great to feel that I am giving something back.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n It was a complete surprise! I was asked to attend the Learning and Development Awards ceremony (on 26 February 2015) to present prizes to cohorts 2 and 3 from the DMS course.\u00a0I was very flattered and honoured to receive the award.<\/p>\n I strongly believe that working in such a strong learning environment, it\u2019s essential to ensure that that you\u2019re on top of your own professional development.\u00a0I think it also adds to your credibility with academic colleagues and helps give an understanding of what it\u2019s like to be a student here.<\/p>\n The work I have done with Learning and Development and also the AUA (Association of University Administrators) has meant that I have been able to share these beliefs and contribute to the professional development of members of staff within the University and in the HE sector as a whole.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n I enjoy spending time with my family and visiting my husband\u2019s French family and friends in Marseille.<\/p>\n I\u2019m a member of Faversham Flower Club which is quite a recent hobby and completely different to other aspects of my life.\u00a0Flower arranging brings together gardening \u2013 which I love \u2013 and a tiny bit of creativity. I find it\u2019s a very focused way to spend my time.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n I really wanted to be a news reader or a weather presenter.\u00a0But I didn\u2019t enjoy meteorology while studying Geography and then my career took a different pathway.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n My first and worst job was working on Saturdays as a sales assistant for a department store \u2013 it was so boring and the day seemed to last forever.\u00a0Otherwise, I have enjoyed all my jobs.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Definitely my MBA \u2013 I think that managing to work part-time, study part-time and having a family has been a real achievement.\u00a0There were stages when I thought I was not going to manage but I received lots of encouragement along the way, especially from my heads of School and line manager.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Seize every opportunity that is presented to you at the University.\u00a0It\u2019s a fantastic organisation to work for \u2013 take the time to look outside your own role and see what\u2019s going on.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n I have signed up for a couple of short in-house training courses but I haven\u2019t got anything else planned at the moment in terms of further qualifications.\u00a0After studying part-time for so long, I really value my free time!<\/p>\n![\"16775339295_9c1fc51a1d_o-1024x683\"](\"http:\/\/blogs.kent.ac.uk\/development\/files\/2015\/06\/16775339295_9c1fc51a1d_o-1024x683.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nCan you tell us more about your role at the University?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
When did you return to learning after your degree and what difference has it made?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Why do you think you were awarded the 50th anniversary prize for \u2018sustained contribution to Learning & Development\u2019?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
How do you spend your time outside work?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
What was your earliest ambition, career-wise?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
What was your first and\/or worst job?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
What do you think is your greatest achievement?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Based on your experiences, what advice would you give others?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
What\u2019s next for you in terms of learning and development?<\/strong><\/h3>\n