Allan Gibson

Not only has this degree taught me more about my profession, but also how to prioritise my time more effectively, be the very best I can be and, as a manager, lead and inspire those around me to feel good about themselves, to be confident and to help, guide and develop their potential and skills.

Professionally I know I am a better manager already, I benefit from the improvements made in my work place and the associations I have made with those around me. Project Management and Change Management are certain areas that I had been involved with before, however now I am more productive because of the knowledge and understanding behind the structure and methodologies of the process involved.

When I first started my Degree, I was a Regional Manager for an International Company where I managed a team of 17 personnel. Shortly into my first year and as a result of some of the changes I had been able to adopt into the organisation I worked for, I was promoted to a National Supply Manager. I now have autonomy on the development of this section within the UK. I would not have felt confident enough to carry out this role without the benefit of knowledge learnt on this course.

There have been many benefits already gained by some of the project work I have been involved in as a direct result of my involvement with this Degree, some milestones in the industry I represent have been set by the company I work for because of the initiatives I been able to influence into the company.

The great benefit with learning on line is the relationships you build with your fellow students on Canvas; a virtual classroom where you share your ideas and study, build friendships and share the experience of learning together as one team.

The biggest reward for studying this course is how well it harmonises with my day to day managerial duties. The proof of this is how well my team in the work place have adapted to my new and improved methods.

The experience of learning online has surpassed my expectations, the modules are carefully planned and the back up and support is second to none. The one thing that has stood out from this course is that you are not alone, it is not a solitary experience, there is always someone you can relate with and the tutors at ARU really do care about your progress.

Many managers, myself included, either stumble into the position or are promoted into the position. There are many structured daily courses that we can buy into, many residential courses we can spend time doing, but nothing I have experienced can deliver the same return on investment as completing an online degree in Management that will be with you for the rest of your life.

I would thoroughly recommend that you give it very strong consideration. Either as an employee, looking to further his/her career and inspired to do that little bit more, to develop themselves by obtaining a BA (Hons) in their chosen field. Or an employer who is looking to get their best return on investment. This surpasses all the money you can invest in daily courses or weekly courses. Do not be afraid of the extra work load, work-based modules can blend in very well to the working day. You will witness the improvement evolve into the work place.

Prior to the Module starting make sure you have all your documents organised into folders, so they can be easily retrieved and stored when required.

Keep a diary of your learning with key points learned so the document can be used for quick reference when you do your assignments.

The great experience of learning in a module format is that you get to experience different lecturer styles. You are blessed with a different, highly experienced, accredited professional teaching each module, with their own different method of delivery and style.

The world is a much smaller place now with the internet and social media. The university encapsulates the benefits of these into a learning environment that fits in perfectly with you work and study time.

This is definitely a course I would recommend to others who, like me, were in a quandary as to which step they should take in career advancement. The accolade at the end will be worth every penny and the learning outcome is far greater than you would ever imagine.

As an international student I feel lucky to have chosen Anglia Ruskin University to study Charity and Social Enterprise Management. The lecturers have been very supportive and the content of the modules were extremely interesting.