Business

Business profile Name: Meryl Bradshaw Occupation: Business lecturer, Warrington Collegiate Institute

How long have you been a lecturer?
8 years

What qualifications do you need to get to become a lecturer in business?
You need a 2.i first degree within a business related subject area. Also you need a Masters usually a MSc or MBA in the specialised subject. I have a MSc in Human Resource Management, which I obtained from Salford University.

Is a lot of what you learn academically useful in the workplace?
Yes definitely. When I was on my Masters course all bar one out of 15 of us were people who were working. The courses are generally geared towards applied knowledge- that is to think through strategies and put them in place.

Did you work in a company before deciding to become a lecturer?
Yes I worked in several organisations, for example as a customer liaison officer at Mobil Oil Co, also as a trainer for a market research company, and a few more when I did not have children. I think you will find all of the Business staff have had external employment away from academic life, it enriches our lecturing and informs us of what is going on.

What made you decide to become a lecturer?
A belief that I really wanted to teach, plus I like young people and believe I can help them achieve in my own small way - an added advantage being what I see as a groovy job!

Do you feel that a career in business is a good choice for an individual?
Yes of course. You can benefit not only the company and yourself but more importantly the employees.

Do you enjoy teaching?
I love it - the interaction with students whilst developing their ideas through my own sometimes bizarre teaching style is 'the best' also my colleagues are wonderful.

What are the benefits of lecturing?
You have a high level of autonomy - I obviously have to adhere to what management wants it terms of quality and standards and also content to some extent, but the classroom is my office and I manage it. I also get to write the lecturers to fit my style although we obviously have to use acknowledged theorists.
Seeing the student's graduate is a great pay off day for us.

Do you specialise in a specific area when teaching?
HRM - I really like the physchology of people at work.