Rhona M.
About me
| Rhona M. | |
| Social Policy and Social Work | |
| Public Policy & Management | |
| Taught Postgraduate | |
| 2019 | |
| United Kingdom |
My employment
| Executive Officer - Governance, Projects & Policy | |
| Edge Hill University | |
| United Kingdom | |
| Education | |
| Large business (250+ employees) | |
| 2013 |
More about Rhona
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A day in the life of a Executive Officer - Governance, Projects & Policy in the United Kingdom
Briefly describe the organisation you work for
I work for a university in the NW of England. It's quite new as a university, but has been delivering higher education since 1885, so it's a nice blend of tradition and innovation.
What do you do?
I provide strategic support to the executive team and the Board of Governors. This is a hugely diverse role and can involve anything from running events to drafting consultation responses. I also lead on institutional projects relating to policy or governance.
Reflecting upon your past employment and education, what led you to your current career choice?
It was a bit of an accident. I was unemployed for a spell after redundancy and was offered a temporary contract at the university. Luckily, I enjoyed the role and it became permanent.
Is your current job sector different from what you thought you would enter when you graduated?
Completely! I had planned to work in publishing but was made redundant a couple of times and decided a change was in order.
Describe your most memorable day at work
Arranging a Royal visit!
Are there any challenges associated with your job?
There are plenty of challenges every day, but they make the job interesting. I enjoy trying to anticipate and solve problems before they happen.
What’s your work environment and culture like?
I work in an office, and manage to keep most of my work within usual working hours. However, there are times when my work must take place in the evening or at weekends.
What extracurricular activities did you undertake at university and what transferable skills did you develop through these?
While at York, I was a distance learner so I wasn't able to take part in any of the activities on campus. When I did my undergraduate studies though, I was involved with the volunteering society and the student newspaper.
What top tips do you have for York students preparing for today’s job market and life after graduation?
Don't lose heart! It's a tough job market at the moment, and you may not be able to see the light through the 100s of job applications at the moment. But remember that sometimes the backward steps take you exactly where you need to go.
Next steps...
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