Marta Rios

Year of Graduation: 2017

  • Course MBA
  • School University of Wolverhampton Business School
  • Nationality Spanish
  • Career industry Strategic business management
  • Current job title Youth engagement project manager
  • Current Company Clarion Futures

Joining the University of Wolverhampton has been one of the best decisions of my career. The doors that learning can open are infinite. There might be challenges on the way but it is absolutely worthwhile.

I have great memories from all my lectures and the University staff. They were fantastic and I learnt a lot from them. I had the opportunity to go to Chile in South America to complete a work placement at the end of my Master's. This is probably one of my favourite memories. Writing my dissertation was also a very enlightening process in my career. My research project was nominated Dissertation of the Year and winner of the CMI Rosebowl Award 2017. The volunteering model that I created contributed significantly to the strategic direction and sustainability of my former organisation. My research aimed to provide key stakeholders such as policy makers, volunteer centres, volunteer-involving organisations, and researchers with an innovative model, which supports non-profit organisations to enhance their current volunteer services. The model aimed to help non-profit leaders structure the way they work with volunteers and help them create an experience that is meaningful for volunteers, engages them, and demonstrates a great social impact.
Studying the MBA was one of the best decisions in my life for different reasons: new friendships/opportunities for networking (learn from professionals from different sectors); personal development (opportunity for self-discovery and growth); professional development (promotion); supporting transition from an operational role to a more strategic role within the same organisation (local charity). Then I changed jobs and started working for the largest housing association in the country and managing a large number of national youth programmes which involved academic skills/knowledge development, leadership, and communication skills. I had amazing tutors! All of them inspired me in some way, through self-achievement - I graduated with distinction and English is my second language; recognition - I was made employee of the year in 2016 and I achieved the Queen's Awards for volunteer service in 2017 and the CMI Rosebowl Award in 2017; career prospects - I had the opportunity to complete a work placement in Chile thanks to a grant provided by the University and Santander Bank, and as soon as I got back I secured a new job.
I work for Clarion Futures as youth engagement project manager. Clarion Futures is the charitable foundation of Clarion Housing Group ( the largest housing association in the country). I chair the HAYN (Housing Association Youth Network) Volunteering Academy and I am the main lead for all our youth programmes. Therefore, my current job requires me to combine all my areas of expertise to manage and create high quality youth programmes across the UK (from Newcastle to Plymouth). These programmes increase young people’s engagement and participation, maximise their opportunities in life, and enhance their future prospects. My key responsibilities are: creating and implementing effective and innovative neighbourhood investment strategies and identifying areas that need change/additional resources or services for young people; developing and maintaining new partnerships in priority areas; coaching and developing large teams and individuals; event management; bid writing; developing and operating a robust monitoring and evaluation framework for all our youth programmes etc.
Winning the Queen's Awards for Voluntary Service and meeting the Queen!
Make the most of the experience as students and take advance of all the great facilities and services that the University of Wolverhampton provides (e.g. Students' Union, sports facilities, volunteer service etc). I would encourage every student to do some volunteering, complete a work placement experience, and, if it's available, apply to work or study in another country, because completing part of your studies or a work experience abroad is an incredible opportunity that not many can have.