A graphic designer has made the leap to project manager with the help of Leicester Castle Business School (LCBS).
Glenn More is five weeks into his role as an account director with creative and web design agency Pixel Labs - a job that "ticks all the boxes".
It's exactly what he hoped to achieve this time last year when he enrolled on the Business Management in the Creative Industries MSc.
"I decided I didn't want to be just a creative, I wanted to work with creatives and help them do the best work they can," said Glenn, who spent 15 years working for toy manufacturer Games Workshop in Nottingham.
"But people didn't see the connection from senior designer to project management roles. I needed to show potential employers I had ambition and could take a risk.
"This course was the stepping stone. It gave me something credible for my CV."
Choosing the course at LCBS, part of De Montfort University Leicester (DMU), because of its billing as business management for creatives, he found studying a shock at first.
"It was terrifying! I didn't know how to study or write or talk about evidence and sources. I hadn't approached my undergraduate degree in illustration in this way," said Glenn.
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Taking advantage of the support on offer from tutors and the library, Glenn adapted to life as a student, enjoying the elective modules in particular.
"I picked modules focusing on brand management and web presence, helping me tailor my degree to the career I wanted," said Glenn.
He enhanced his learning with #DMUglobal trips to Copenhagen and Toronto, where he met business owners to see how they run their companies.
Glenn opted to undertake an Executive Company Project (ECP), which he found "hugely valuable".
He said: "A shout-out to David Gordon, who runs the ECP. I did a three-month independent marketing consultancy project at Adtrak, a digital marketing and design agency in Nottingham.
"It gave me work experience, so when I had a job interview I could show really clear progress.
"I have recently found out that Adtrak's board have approved the recommendations from my ECP project and are going ahead with them."
Glenn also benefited from the Employability Mentoring project, aimed at improving the employability of students.
"Andy Morris gave great advice on how to pitch ourselves," said Glenn.
Not only did the Castle course help Glenn land his role at Pixel Labs, based in Leicester city centre, but he is also using the skills he learnt on a daily basis.
Glenn added: "I have just signed off on a brand design project, and the web module has helped me with pitching to four potential new clients. The business side is really helping too - coming up with marketing proposals means I have to understand the client's business model.
"The supporting modules were also helpful. Knowing and Developing Yourself for Professional Practice gave top tips for networking. I have been to three networking events, one of which opened doors to pitch to a potential client."
Posted on Thursday 23 November 2017