CPD Case Studies
Sarah Streeter
Marketing Manager, VisitSouthDevon
PG Certificate Student, Jan - Dec 2009
Over the past 11 months I have been studying part time for the Postgraduate Certificate in Destination Management with Leeds Met University. The place was offered to me in partnership with the Tourism Skills Network, Tourism Management Institute and RDA who provided the funding for the course. I jumped at the chance to further my education, especially as professionally I was about to be seconded to the South Devon Area Tourism Partnership – a new private/public organisation tasked with marketing the South Devon destination.
As with most new experiences, I started off keenly, setting aside 3-4 hours 3 days a week to do the reading and research. However, this soon started to slip with increasing day to day work load at Visit South Devon. Although I sometimes found it a struggle to keep up with the reading, and assignments, when I did sit down to it, the content was so relevant to my day to day work that I not only found it interesting, but was able to apply some of the theory into my day to day work.
Overall, the course has been extremely beneficial to me and my career – this qualification has given me the knowledge boost I needed and given me more confidence in the workplace. So much so that I have recently taken over managing Visit South Devon (VSD), a job which was given to me with the full support of the VSD board, knowing that I had the academic knowledge as well as the experience for the post. This is part of the reason I am so keen to continue with the Diploma, and ultimately the Master course as I see real professional and personal benefit – and it of course helps to know that I will be one of the first in the country to be awarded this qualification.
Paul Szomoru
Business Relationship Manager
Tourism Tyne and Wear
PG Certificate Student, Jan – Dec 2009
I’m a Business Relationship Manager in an Area Tourism Partnership. I came from the private sector; hotels, hospitality and event management. When the opportunity came up for me to do the TMI post grad qualification in Destination Management, I couldn’t let it pass me by. My job involves working with anyone that has an interest or impact in the visitor economy; from micro, SME and PLC private companies, to 3rd and public sector organisations, local authorities, education providers and the RDA. My expectations going into the course were that by doing it, I’d be better informed, knowledgeable and confident in my job, I wanted to know the theory to back up my practical experiences. I also (very optimistically!) hoped for some form of epiphany and greater understanding of some of the bigger challenges and frustrations I face in my role working in the minefields that exist in public-private partnership across various authority and governance boundaries
It was a big challenge; the distance learning, the amount of reading involved and of course the assignments. More than anything it was tough finding and making the time to do the work and there were times when I didn’t think I could do it and seriously considered quitting. But the tutors were excellent; very supportive, understanding of circumstances and always encouraging. 12 months later I’ve completed the postgraduate certificate and whilst I wouldn’t call it an epiphany, I certainly have a better appreciation and understanding of the complex relationships and intricate workings that make up the structure and governance within the visitor economy and destinations. I am more confident in myself and my organisation; why are we doing what we are doing. I’m now less frustrated with how things are and I feel more determined that we can make a difference and have an impact on a currently very fragmented, poorly understood and respected industry.
