¹û¶³Ó°Ôº

Helen Pascoe, School Manager fromÌýThe Bartlett School of Construction and Project Management, explains how gaining Fellowship enhanced her support to students and her own professional development.

If you support students in a non-teaching role, the ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº Arena for Professional Services offers youÌýthe opportunity to gain recognition for your work supporting theirÌýlearning with a ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº Arena fellowship, accredited by the Higher Education Academy (HEA).

For staff in learning support roles, including:

• Teaching Administrators
• Lab Technicians
• ISD/Digital Education
• Central services, and;
• Librarians

Helen explains why she applied for ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº Arena Fellowship and how it has helped her:

Which Arena pathway did you follow and where did you hear about it?

IÌýheard about ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº Arena for Professional Services from my ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº mentor.

I achieved Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy in 2017. To support my application, I attended sessions specifically for Professional Services:

• introductory session, 'Gaining Fellowship for Professional Services: introduction to HEA Recognition’
• after you've attended an introductory session, sign up to one of theÌýregular ‘Developing your Professional Services HEA application’Ìý

(see ourÌýUpcoming events calendarÌýfor dates - you can filter the calendar by choosing 'Professional services' in the Subject filter).Ìý

What was your motivation?Ìý

I was particularly motivated by CPD and my own career development.

What was the most useful element?

I enjoyed writing the case studies; they allowed me to think through the cycle of recognising a problem, finding ways to improve this and gaining feedback to rework the solution as needed.

How has Fellowship changed your role?

It has reinforced the need for student involvement in admin processes, and the importance of these processes to the effectiveness of Higher Education.Ìý

How do you think your students have benefited from you taking part?

I have a new job at ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº!

I believe that this qualification enhanced my application, not only in terms of CV material, but in terms of thinking through projects I have completed and being able to demonstrate my skills through examples at interview.

How much of a commitment was it for you?Ìý

Once I had thought through my case studies, it really didn’t take that long to write.

Having support and a sounding board from Leigh Kilpert from ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº Arena Centre, really helped.

What did you need to do to apply?

Fellowship is awardedÌýon the basis of your successful experience of supporting students’ learning or leading an aspect of education at ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº and you demonstrate this through an application.Ìý

Your application will include 'case study' examples of your work to support students learning. ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº Arena support your application through the workshops.Ìý

What would you say to someone considering working towards a ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº Arena/Associate Fellowship (AFHEA)?

You do so much more than you think you do!

Once you start thinking through your role, you will come up with numerous case studies!

Ìý

Ìý