Getting the balance right

Career development is essential to the continuing progression of employees and organisations – especially within today’s competitive and fast-paced marketplace. However, the challenges it presents can prevent people from investing in continued learning – but there are ways of striking a balance

With the AGR (Association of Graduate Recruiters) predicting a 5.4% decrease in vacancies, releasing more staff on part-time courses seems a more likely route for career development. The survey released earlier this month was based on the responses of 245 of the country’s graduate recruiters employing 21,144 graduates. Over a third of participants blamed the current economic climate for the fall in vacancies available.

Striking a work-life balance can be hard, so finding additional time for learning may seem an impossibility. But now there is a way to comfortably continue developing your career in the biosciences and health industry whilst remaining in employment. Cranfield University recognises the challenges professionals face and has responded by offering its qualifications on a part-time basis.

Victoria James, assay scientist at SPD Development Company, has recently completed and passed the Molecular Medicine MSc part-time at Cranfield University. Victoria chose to study the course because of its part-time nature which enabled her to manage the additional demands of further studying.

She said: “I chose to do the Molecular Medicine MSc because it was heavily based on research techniques and technologies, and was very up-to-date in teaching about tools currently used in research labs. This built on the knowledge I had already gained from my degree and experience at work. The course was well suited to me personally and I had heard good recommendations about the quality of teaching and reputation of the university.

“The course material was very up to date and it was easy to see how I could apply my new knowledge to the outside world.”

Victoria from Bedford has been at SPD for 4 years now. She said: “Studying alongside a full-time job was by no means a walk in the park, but Cranfield were very supportive of this. The course structure was very good in that each module was delivered on campus over just one week. This allowed me to focus on studying and not be distracted by work issues whilst at the same time didn’t require me to be away from work for too long. Academic staff all had a thorough understanding of their subject areas and external lecturers were extremely beneficial. Off-campus online tools made picking up lecture notes and submitting coursework easy.

“Carrying out the research project at my place of work extended my knowledge in the relevant subject areas benefiting both myself and my career and made me more valuable to my company.

“I chose Cranfield because of its well-established reputation within this field and I have already recommended the course to fellow colleagues.”

The benefits of part-time study include the ability to network with fellow students and build up contacts. The advantage of face-to-face learning as apposed to distance learning also enables the students to use the high-spec labs on offer.

Amanda Hanna, Scientific Assistant at VLA (Veterinary Laboratories Agency) graduated last year from the Medical Diagnostics MSc. The 23-year-old was introduced to VLA through Cranfield University and this resulted in her starting her career straight after finishing her course.

She said: “I was also attracted to the reputation that Cranfield has with industry. I was able to visit the new facilities at Cranfield and I was impressed with the new laboratories.”

Head of Cranfield Health, Professor Joe Lunec added: “Cranfield prides itself on

“Now there is a way to comfortably continue developing your career in the biosciences and health industry whilst remaining in employment.”

undertaking research and teaching which has a direct application to the work place. We offer a complete package by fulfilling the needs of the industry through our industry-led courses. Most universities are used to providing courses around a traditional curriculum rather than addressing the requirements of industry.

“To ensure all our courses are relevant and up-to-date and meeting the needs of industry we use research and industrial advisory committees whose members represent leading organisations to ensure course content is contemporary and pertinent to the needs of industry.”

Bioscience and Health MSc courses at Cranfield University offer industry professionals the opportunity to develop new skills and formalise existing ones. Cranfield acknowledges both employers’ and employees’ concerns regarding time away from the workplace, offering modules at five days in length. The modules can be studied across a maximum of three years and the qualifications also incorporate a research project that can be carried out within the workplace, enabling candidates to focus on issues that affect them and the way they work. Students are able to apply their new knowledge and skills, and make an immediate impact within their organisation. On-campus training affords students face-to-face interaction with academics and the opportunity to build strong networks with colleagues from other industry organisations.

Whilst not on campus, staff support is always available via email, telephone and a variety of distance learning facilities.

Cranfield Health - incorporating Cranfield Postgraduate Medical School - focuses on health research, education and consultancy. It combines science and technology, human factors and management to provide new solutions for the Health sector. The School draws upon Cranfield's roots in medical physics, food quality and nutrition, bioscience and related diagnostic and therapeutic applications. Cranfield Health’s Vincent Building was part of a £30 million investment programme on campus highlighting Cranfield’s drive to spearhead vital research, education and consultancy in the health sector. This has included all new state-of-the-art laboratories and equipment.

Cranfield University offer a number of additional MSc courses on a part-time basis including: Medical Diagnostics, Genetics, Society and Health. Two new courses for 2009: Analytical Biotechnology* and Nanomedicine* (*subject to senate approval).

For more information, see www.cranfield.ac.uk/health