Student Spotlight

Second year Advanced student and Senior Programme and Contracts Officer from University of the Highlands and Islands, Emma Taylor tells us how she has balanced her first year of study with the other commitments in her life.

1. What led you to the Certificate in Research Management?

I’m always looking to elevate myself professionally and personally. I switched to a my new job role in Grants and Contracts four years ago and have been applying my transferable skills ever since. However, I wanted to start building on my practical experience with some CPD and this was a perfect fit.

2. How do you manage it around your day job and home life?

Without a doubt this course is a commitment in terms of time needed to be applied to the workshops, research, mentor advice catch ups and assignments. However, I really enjoy being part of it and put aside evenings and weekends for focused efforts to ensure I try to produce the best version of the assignment I can.

3. Which have you found to be the most interesting unit and why?

So far, probably the ‘Equality and Diversity in the Research Environment’ unit. The workshop itself was eye opening and powerful, and taught me quite a few things that I thought I perhaps already knew. The workshop lead was also excellent in the presentation of the content. It’s such a vast area in the workplace and in life in general it can be hard to feel fully educated in this topic all the time. This unit provided me with an updated overview as to the language being used today and raising my awareness in unconscious bias.

4. What has been your biggest challenge this year?

It can be difficult to connect some of the unit themes to working examples, however that’s where the contact with the unit leads is excellent and you can always find the right direction for your assignment.

5. At ARMA we encourage sharing best practice. What key piece of advice would you share with your peers?

The group of students I’m part of for this year’s cohort engage really well at the workshops, whereby best practice is also shared from HEIs across the UK. I’m not fully taking advantage of the networking opportunities available mainly because I find it hard to get the time to do that. I will however be pulling my knowledge from this course into my working day to hopefully bring some benefit to the team.

6. What are your words of wisdom to our new students starting in November?

Plan your assignments and time early on, start drafting well ahead of the submission date. Ensure you engage with your mentor to talk through a couple of drafts before submission. Do lots of your own research out with the workshops and suggested reading list. Support is excellent with Katherine at ARMA who can guide you through any query you might have.

7. What was the last book you read and/ the next one on your to-read list?

The Upholstery Bible! Furniture Restoration is the next in mind. I dabble in this area and love working with my hands being creative and bringing a piece of furniture back to life.

8. What is your favourite way to unwind/destress?

A big forest walk with my highly active rescue dog.

Perfect way to unwind – thanks Emma!