Why I chose MSc Voluntary Sector Management at Bayes?

I was conscious I’d neglected my own personal development somewhat. That’s not to say I’d not undertaken learning, but I’d not dedicated significant time to study that at the time I felt might help me take the next step in my career.

When I began exploring options, I was interim senior director for people at the British Red Cross and I was torn between following a study path specifically in the people space, something like CIPD, or whether to branch out into a broader arena. Researching, I discovered quite a number of the CEOs of charities I knew well, including the BRC, had CEOs who were alumni or who had been involved with Bayes Business School.

I have to confess I also knew Dr Justin Davis-Smith really well, having been a Trustee of his when he was CEO of Volunteering England, and I’d guest lectured on City’s undergraduate and master’s course a few times.

Key Learning Moments & Influential Charity Sector Leaders

The spaghetti towers exercise in one project that was memorable, which I have done many times before but never delved into the academic theory behind it. As a Scout Leader it’s a challenge we give our young people regularly, but I never thought I’d be writing a Masters-level assignment about it. This for me reflects how the MSc Voluntary Sector Management takes the everyday from day jobs and volunteering and gives you the skills to apply some real and relevant academic rigour to what you do.

There are two people who particularly influenced me. One, of course, is Dr Justin Davis-Smith, a  longstanding colleague and friend. Being taught by him and guest lecturing alongside him is always an inspiration.

I’d also say Dr Rick James. What Justin doesn’t know about the voluntary sector in the UK isn’t worth knowing. What Rick doesn’t know about the NGO sector overseas, the same. I was working for an NGO when I took the Masters, and being able to compare and contrast Justin’s UK-based input with Rick’s was so interesting. Rick was also the leader of my action learning set, where we had a great time examining real-life problems and challenges and developing meaningful solutions, which I know many of us put into practice.

Career impact and new opportunities

I genuinely do not think I’d be Interim Executive Director of Operations at the Scouts without the MSc Voluntary Sector Management programme. I feel it has given me both the confidence and credibility to take this step in my career.

Given the course and in particular the assignments are designed to be rooted in organisations we either work for, know or admire, in my case it meant colleagues were interested in the academic analysis I’d carried out of real challenges and problems we were experiencing during my studies. I was able to literally submit an assignment and then turn it into a paper for our board/senior  leadership on more than one occasion. The learning has stayed with me day-to-day by applying the knowledge and skills from the programme, especially when writing papers.

There is curiosity in everything I do. A thirst for knowledge, but not analysis paralysis. Reading, again, a thirst for knowledge and sharing, although interestingly often with my eldest son who is currently studying for his A-levels.

Reflections

I wish I’d known about the extent of the online resources available to you. I was really concerned about how I’d fit in the time to be in the library or even get to the library to access resources. I completed the course without borrowing a single book from the library. I bought a few (which my son has since stolen) and used masses of online articles, and occasionally still access bits here and there.

Advice for future Bayes MSc Voluntary Sector Management Students

Go for it. It might seem daunting, but it’s so worth it. You do need to be really careful with your time though. Those assignments do need researching, and that takes time. It’s also well worth ensuring you have a friendly proofreader. My wife was mine and she was excellent. I’d not written 4,000 words or at least not written them and been subject to a word count—for some time, and it was often a challenge editing them down. A caring, understanding extra pair of eyes is really valuable.

Find out more about MSc Voluntary Sector Management and Centre for Charity Effectiveness (CCE)