My Journey into Higher Education
I always knew that I wanted to work in education, evidenced by an early interest in the pretend ‘home schooling’ of my younger brothers on a weekend (…sorry guys!). However, as with most people, my life took me down a different path leading eventually to a HR Advisor position in a busy shared service centre. Aware that HR had become an ever-growing passion of mine, I knew I needed to pursue a qualification that would continue to open doors for me in this field; it was here that my journey with the University of Wolverhampton began.
Joining as a part-time student on the Human Resource Management course (MA) in 2018, I felt rusty, out of practice and unsure how well I would cope with the demands of a postgraduate qualification, alongside a full-time job. However, from the moment I stepped through the Business School doors, I instantly felt at ease. The campus was welcoming, the students were friendly, and the teaching staff were supportive and extremely knowledgeable in their fields – I was in safe hands.
Two years later, I graduated from the University of Wolverhampton with not only a Distinction, but also an award for Best Performing Postgraduate in Business, two things which simply would not have been possible without the dedication and support of the amazing teaching staff… and then it dawned on me; I didn’t want to leave!
I had been made aware of the visiting lecturing positions in the Business School which seemed like a great opportunity to trial a career which I had already considered those many years ago (albeit to a larger, more qualified audience than my younger siblings). Jumping at the chance to expand my professional experience, I completed a semester’s worth of VL work towards the end of 2021 and LOVED it! After taking a short break for maternity leave, I returned to the University mid 2022 as a permanent member of staff, working alongside the amazing teaching staff that I can now call ‘my colleagues’.
All of this to say, you can’t always dictate the course your ship will sail; sometimes you need to go with the flow, learn from the bad and take the good where you can get it. But eventually, with the right support, vision and hard work, great things can happen.
For those who are still sailing: network, network, network! Conversation is often the key to new experiences. Don’t be afraid to change your plans - You’re not giving up; you’re just taking a different route. Finally, live outside your comfort zone. Trust me, it’s worth it.
I’ll finish by sharing these words taken from the University website; “The University of Opportunity isn’t just a name; it’s a promise to guide our students to their chosen path, whoever they are and whatever they aspire to become”.
…I couldn’t have put it better myself!
Jennifer Dixon MA HRM, LLB (Hons), Assoc CIPD.
Lecturer in Human Resources and Leadership