Social Science
Alexandra Klyuchnikova
Masters in Public Administration (2012)
After the glamour of my Masters in Public Administration (MPA) graduation ceremony, like many other grads, I faced the severe reality of job hunting which lasted for several months.
Luckily I signed for the careers graduate internships mailing list while still a student. This is from where I found out about the internship with Whitehawk Inn. I saw it as an opportunity to gain an excellent understanding of a small community-based organisation, develop insights into the sector and networks within it.
I was quick to draft a successful application, as I was in the groove with this after around 70 previous unsuccessful trials. The internship fitted perfectly to my goals and academic background.
As the intern I was looking at more creative ways of taking forward the development and marketing of the Whitehawk Inn facilities which are currently vacant or underused, in order to increase income for the organisation. I performed a comparative market analysis of the room hire, offering reasonable adjustments on policies and setting up new business procedures for the organisation.
This experience was immensely valuable in terms of my professional growth and helped me get my current post at the University of Brighton Development and Alumni Office. In addition I was able to grow my network of contacts within the industry as well as outside of it. I currently stay in touch with the Whitehawk Inn and plan to volunteer for them in the future.
Dr Daren Britt
PhD Applied Social Science (2006)
Daren is currently employed as a Senior Lecturer in Substance Misuse at the University of Brighton. He has been in this post for five years.
My current job was advertised whilst I was completing my PhD, I had worked as a visiting lecturer in the department so it seemed appropriate to apply for the post. In terms of the wider picture my PhD developed out of my work as a team member in a drug rehab; my position in the rehab came as a result of undertaking NVQs whilst unemployed in the mid 1990s. It was one of those…'do a course or else lose your dole' situations. It all has little to do with my first degree which was a BA Hons in Drama and English.
I began my post as Senior Lecturer in Substance Misuse on a 0.4 (2 days a week) basis whilst completing my PhD. This will soon be increased to a full-time post. The previous five years have seen a substantial level of development in the University in my specialty area. I have enjoyed developing the post and building teaching and research relationships between schools and faculties. My teaching initially was on a professional qualification, now I teach across both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. I also teach in Further Education.
Our professional course at the university received professional accreditation in 2006/7. It is fair to say that it has been a very busy time with very exciting developments both within the University and on a National level. I really enjoy working with my colleagues from all disciplines, and absolutely love working with the students (of all shapes, sizes and experiences of academic study). If there is a downside it is the workload, especially around marking-season, but it is a price I am more than happy to pay given the immense rewards I am currently enjoying.
I am now a recognised expert in my specific research field (substance misuse and childhood sexual abuse), one of only three or four in the country. This expertise, and my wider knowledge of the substance misuse sector, made me an excellent candidate for the post. My career has developed from there.
My short term plan for the future is to consolidate the role of substance misuse teaching and training in the University; on a regional level it is to consolidate the role that the University has in delivering training to the workforce. I am continuing to pursue my research interests however funding is the major issue here, so I continue to seek funding for the treatment intervention research that I am involved in. Longer term… I really am not quite sure, so much of what I do is tied to social policy that who knows where I'll be in five years time… there may be no substance misuse field, or certainly not one that we would recognise today, so flexibility is everything. Fortunately a PhD is perfect for developing flexibility.
My advice to anyone looking to do a PhD would be to say it's hard, it hurts and your life will change… be prepared to be flexible. Buy a decent crash helmet, hold on tight and enjoy the chaos!
On a serious note; start working early, the more you do at the start the less painful it will be at the end. Use your supervisors, they're the best support you can get. Try and get to as many conferences and training courses in your area of study as you can, building a network of contacts outside of the university can be immensely rewarding and will help later in the day if things get sticky, or for when you are looking for a job.