Professional development

Last September after several years with London-based public relations consultancy, ING Media, I quit my senior role to study full time a master’s degree in regeneration studies at Cardiff University. The crazy decision to junk a well paid job had been spurred on by my keen interest in everything regeneration. It was my ambition, following 12 months of dedicated studying, to graduate brimming with solutions for the hottest and most vexing regeneration issues.

The MSc Regeneration Studies is run jointly by the university’s School of City and Regional Planning and the School of Social Sciences. The course is split into three semesters. The first two are taught semesters when students choose five or six modules from a possible 10 that are lecture-led. The final semester is dedicated to individual research and producing the dreaded 20,000 word dissertation.

The content of the course covers both “hard” and “soft” regeneration issues, from the physical such as property development, through to local economic development and regional innovation strategies, to sustainable development and on to community-owned initiatives and health and well-being.

I experienced an immense high as I took my first steps back into full-time education and to study a discipline that would set me on a lifelong career path. The quality of the lecturing was exceptional as was the encouragement and dedication of the professors. Numerous experienced practitioners were invited to guest lecture, which was a treat and took the edge off the more highbrow debates.

The bump that brought me crashing to earth was the first coursework assignment of 6,000 words. I could not believe that I had the ability to deliver quality work at that length to secure a pass grade. But I rose to the challenge and have continued to motivate myself during an intense year to submit a workload that included group projects and presentations.

Those students who decide their specialism at the start of the masters, broadly speaking in either community, physical or economic regeneration, are more likely to have a head start when job hunting at the end of the course. As I have been challenged on both a personal and intellectual level, I am now less certain that the frontline is for me.

What I am sure of is my new level of confidence, skill-set and an insight into the theoretic and practical issues that continually confront people in the regeneration sector. I am itching to get back to the “real” world and apply my new found knowledge. I admit that at times studying for the masters has been a struggle – being up to speed with policy developments while spending hours studying is a real test, but I have no regrets.

How to choose your course

• Look at the professional body that the course is linked to – for example, RTPI or RICS
• If you are planning to specialise, make sure your course supports your career plans
• Before you sign on the dotted line, meet the course leader to make sure the course is right for you
• If your working life was in England, but you select a course in Wales or Scotland, remember devolved governments have their own policy framework
• Remember that the dissertation is the opportunity for you to undertake research that puts you in contact with potential future employers
• This is an intensive year that demands personal discipline – luckily the students union is now a bore

On the move

• Jason Prior has been appointed president of EDAW, after six years as co-regional director of its European offices. Bill Hanway, EDAW's other European co-regional director has been promoted to chief operating officer.
• Northern Counties Housing Association (NCHA) has appointed Carol Matthews as chief executive. Matthews was previously director of housing management at NCHA Counties.
• Andy von Bradsky has succeeded Barry Munday as chairman of PRP. Concurrently, Roger Battersby succeeds Chris Rudolf as managing director.
• Lovell has appointed Peter Quinn as national head of business development.
• Peter joins Lovell from Midland Heart.
• Alex Ross has been appointed partnership manager of Yuill Homes. Ross was previously working on regeneration schemes for Guinness Trust Housing Association and Hartlepool Revival.