Tell us a bit about your role and how it supports the business?
As Programme Development Manager, I put together the strategy at Immerse Education for new programmes both in the UK and overseas. Everything we do has academic quality and authenticity at its heart, so everything new needs to reflect this. This role drives growth for the business, diversifying our portfolio and ensuring everything we do lives up to our company values. My role is a cross-department function that means I get to work across operations, sales and marketing – which makes it an interesting one!
What has been your career highlight to date?
Running successful flagship academic programmes in Singapore and the US, seeing the impact of opening up opportunities for our students a little closer to home.
What is the best piece of advice you have ever been given?
As a summer programme provider, July and August tend to be incredibly busy as thousands of students descend on Oxford, Cambridge and London for academic teaching, but it’s also when it all comes together and you can see the fruits of 10 months of planning and hard work. On this, I think a great piece of advice is to take things day by day, you can prepare for every eventuality and still, the last things you expected to happen will. Taking things one step at a time, means you stay on track and don’t get caught up in the small stuff when things feel a little chaotic!
If you were not working in this sector what other industry would you have pursued a career in?
My MA in Professional Writing lends itself well to the publishing industry, along with a love of literature and film, so perhaps that.
What are the emerging trends within your sector and have these changed since Covid-19?
Thinking through what we teach, alongside the how – and improving access to essential skills and professional development opportunities for students. At the beginning of the pandemic, the pressure was to replicate everything we were doing in-person online, now that has balanced out a little, ensuring we have impact research, pedagogies, processes and content design that promotes measurable progress and impactful teaching and learning feels like an opportunity many are embracing.
What is coming up for your company in the next 12/18 months?
Lots! We’ve recently launched an education platform that offers university guidance and academic support, alongside new 1:1 online research programmes with Oxbridge and Ivy League tutors. These programmes prove ever-popular with students due to their bespoke nature, with expert tutors matching teaching to particular subject interests. We also have our first programme taking place at University College London this summer, and our first international course taking place in Sydney in the winter.
Covid-19 has had a huge impact on our industry, what is the one thing that you have learnt personally or professionally during this time?
The support network is everything. Knowing your partners well, be that agencies, school leaders, suppliers, host colleges or summer staff becomes crucial in difficult times. Being able to step up and support each other, with all of our shared knowledge and resources, is a gift that I hope we continue to make the most of.
Find out more about BETA Member Immerse Education here
Published 01 May 2022
