Student profiles
Stuart Burrell
Masters in Public Enterprise and Management (MPEM) - 2008
Stuart is currently working at Southend Borough Council as the Domestic
Energy Efficiency and Empty Homes Officer.
I chose the University of Essex because it provided the course I wanted to
study. I guess it was as simple as that. I graduated with a first class honours
degree and went in to employment where I gained a number of professional
qualifications. However I became aware that there was an opportunity to
return to study for a postgraduate degree which was more focused on the workings
of the Public and Not for Profit Sectors. That course was the Masters in Public
Enterprise Management (MPEM) and I felt that it fitted well with my CV and
career choices.
As a mature student there is always the concern expressed by friends and
family that you are giving up job security (and income) to go back to school. I
do not see it like that, I see this as an extension of my own personal
development and a way of achieving a more rewarding job in the future which I
would not have been able to obtain without such a qualification.
Whilst I am fortunate that I grew up and live locally it was not the primary
reason for studying at the Southend Campus; it has a great learning environment
with skilled lecturing and support staff, that have responded to the wide range
of questions and enquiries made of them in a very prompt and concise manner. All
of which has helped me make the transition from employee to student and return
to employment as the Domestic Energy Efficiency and Empty Homes Officer for
Southend Borough Council.
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