University of Brighton

The experience of the PGCE provided me with countless new skills and endless opportunity for personal and professional development.

The chance to experience teaching first-hand on placement is what really makes you into a teacher. Working alongside teachers with years of experience gave me endless knowledge and insights that I was able to learn from. The mentors and teachers I worked closely with were unbelievably kind and generous with their knowledge and their time.

The facilities on campus are great, the buildings are modern and the library resources are fantastic. The teaching and learning centre is also brilliant and has lots of teaching-specific resources to utilise.

Jesse was one of two winners of Jägermeister’s #SaveThe Night global competition, which supports nightlife projects around the world. Jesse’s prize was €50,000 to build a music studio and nightclub from decommissioned shipping containers in his native Kenya.

What made you choose Brighton and the MA in Sustainable Design?

"The course seemed to have a lot of insight into the way someone would generally think about how the world is designed, and I don’t only mean in a physical way, but in the systems that have been put in place by many people before us. Being able to learn about design in a fresh way was something that really drew me into wanting to do the course, and ever since I began, I haven’t been able to look at the world in the same way that I did before. It’s almost opened my eyes in a way. I found it so much more intriguing and challenging, in a positive manner, than I initially deemed, but it’s exactly what I needed. I believe this is a course that many people who would like to broaden their thinking should do."

"Studying at Brighton helped to provide me with what I needed to go out into the working world from both educational and practice-based standpoints. Advancing knowledge and my own philosophy within lectures under very intelligent lecturers set the foundation for my learning to continue, which I could on the placements that I was involved in.

One placement was within a professional rugby academy and another within the University’s own athletic development scene in some great facilities with state-of-the-art equipment, of which I would progress the latter into a role as a post-graduate leading the strength and conditioning for scholarship athletes from a multitude of sports as well as those on the TASS (Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme).

I am fortunate enough to now say that the network I expanded on whilst at university – including those within the lecturing team – are peers of mine that I can collaborate with in a professional space."

What did you do after graduation?

"Since leaving the university, I jumped into the deep end and took on several roles, of which have mostly now been collaborated under one roof.

I currently work for Ascend Athlete Performance which is a strength and sonditioning company that looks to target both the best athletes and your everyday people, championing the slogan ‘Fitter, Faster, Stronger’, but tailoring this to everyone rather than just the elite.

Nevertheless, both prior and during my time with Ascend AP, I have worked as the Lead S&C coach at the University of Brighton as well as at a Chelsea FC Foundation site, alongside working within professional rugby. My latest role in professional football with Lewes FC Women’s has diversified my S&C practice by opening doors to a new environment and clientele."

What made you choose the University of Brighton and this course?

"Firstly, the City of Brighton and Hove is a great location for a University and for a place of study. I was born in Brighton and love the area and already knew that the University of Brighton was the perfect place for the MSc. Furthermore, the MSc Town Planning course is accredited by the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and has an excellent record in regards to employment opportunities after graduating from the course."

Can you describe your course and experience of studying here?

"The course was a mixture of learning about the theory behind town planning, exploring contemporary planning issues, such as the impact of climate change on development, and also gaining practical experience through the Environment Placement module. I found the course very rewarding, even though it was conducted largely online via Microsoft Teams, and the Course Leader, Georgia Wrighton, as well as Dr Helen Walker and Andrew Coleman, adapted very well to the changing circumstances which we all found ourselves in. The support staff were also very good and it was clear from the start of the course that help was always available if needed."

What were the highlights of your course?

"The highlights of the course were the Environment Placement module, where I was lucky enough to gain work experience as a Planning Assistant at Adur and Worthing Councils, as well as the Planning Theory module, where it was fascinating to learn about the theoretical concepts behind the Town Planning academic discipline. Another highlight was the Dissertation module, given I focused on a local topic close to my heart; rethinking utopia in urban coastal communities. The chance to influence planning policy at Peacehaven Town Council was also very memorable and to work as a team with fellow students."

What are you doing now you have graduated?

"I am currently working as a Planning Officer at Adur and Worthing Councils, starting in March, 2022. I am enjoying it a lot, particularly working on the Adur Local Plan."

I have gained countless skills that will be invaluable in my ECT years. Skills such as lesson planning, behaviour management, classroom practice, curriculum design, subject knowledge, pedagogical theory and diversifying the curriculum, to name some. The year has given me everything I need to be a well-rounded practitioner.

As part of my training, I have attended two placement schools in semi-rural locations within Sussex. Both of these have given me an excellent insight into the reality of being a classroom teacher. At both placements I was working within a robust department with very experienced and helpful mentors.

The practical knowledge gained during both placements will be a huge help when I start my first post in September in an urban school setting here in Brighton. The skills and expertise I have gained will mean that I know what to expect in the role and can hit the ground running in my new school.

Selin works as a Trainee SEO Analyst at SEOMG!, a top SEO agency in Brighton.

What initially attracted you to pursue a Marketing MSc?

"Having worked in customer services and sales positions throughout my career I always found marketing fascinating and decided to do my master’s in marketing as a career path change."

In what ways has the course helped support your career goals and job search?

"We had guest speakers from the sector with years of experience coming to give us insights and share their hands-on experience. We also had career days where we got 1-on-1 help with our CV.

I was lucky that my lecturer Rodrigo shared this entry-level SEO trainee opening at SEOMG! An award-winning SEO company from Brighton with his students. He had heard about it from another former student who was working in that company. This happened in June right after I graduated.

I directly applied to the company, introduced myself and mentioned I heard about the job from my lecturer who taught their current employee, and it helped me get the interview."