Student Profiles

I love coming back to studying after being in work and the joy of learning new things. I’ve heard great visiting speakers talking about their own career paths and enjoyed learning new technical information for my profession. The modules for the course are really varied and each has a completely different feel. Some have a large element of group work and some are more lecture focused. It is nice to have a mixture of teaching styles and the chance to interact with different people on the course as you discuss topics. It was good to have a choice for the optional module as it allows us to tailor our course a bit towards our own strengths. The lecturers obviously enjoy the subjects they are teaching us and they are approachable, which is great.

The disability service at university have been very helpful, which for me was a reassurance coming back to studying and wondering if I would be able to cope. I know I have someone who I can call on if things get difficult and they have put support mechanisms in place to minimise the impact of my health on my studies.

So far, I have gained:

• Research skills
• Group working skills
• Improved essay writing skills (after being out of education for some time)
• IT skills, especially through doing the e-learning module
• Presentation skills

I have taken part in the Writing Project, which was excellent. I felt I gained a great deal from it. Even if you feel confident in your essay writing it would be worth attending, I picked up lots of tips and tricks to improve my writing style from this course. I thoroughly recommend it.

I have also trained as a HLSS ambassador/part of the Make a Difference team. This has enabled me to take part in the Manchester Literature Festival and assist with a school visit to the University. I am looking forward to the Literature Festival in the summer and hope to do more work there. There are lots of opportunities of all different types with the Make a Difference team and I feel it has really added to my university experience and given me extra work experience I would not have gained from my course alone.

 I am also course rep for my course and have found this rewarding. I have been able to help implement changes that will benefit not just my fellow students, but those studying after me.

I am starting a placement next term. We had a visit from lots of potential placement hosts who told us a bit about what each placement entailed. We could then select our top two placements and the tutors try to match us with our requests. I am looking forward to my placement and it was one of the reasons I chose the course. I am hoping to gain new and better work experience for when I graduate.

I have been given a placement at Manchester Central Library. The library are hoping to train volunteers to teach members of the public to use their e-resources from home and I am helping the team to create the training for the volunteers.

Ask lots of questions, especially if something doesn’t make sense. The tutors are really happy to explain things. Much better to ask the “stupid” question than to go away not understanding what you need to know.

...helping other people. It is the basis of being a librarian/information professional. We want to help people find the things they need to achieve their goals.

In one sentence, please describe what you love most about Man Met:

The chance to return to learning and to get a professional qualification.