BUSINESS
GTA - FIVE FACES TO WATCH IN 2013
5 Faces to watch in 2013 With so much changing in the world of work it has become more important than ever to take control of your career if you want to keep on track. New technology, new ways of working and exciting new ways of learning mean that we all need to regularly review our career plans and take action if we want to continue to progress. Five such individuals who have taken decisive action to advance their careers are James, Samantha, Gez, Edwina and Hannah. With the support of their employer they have taken the opportunity to study one of the variety of business related courses offered locally through the GTA University Centre.
Edwina Casebow
works in the Insurance Risk Group at Mourant Ozannes as a legal assistant and has just completed a graduate diploma in Law (GDL) with the GTA in association with Bournemouth University. “I qualified as a medical doctor from Cambridge University and as part of my medical degree; I studied medical ethics and law, which stimulated my interest in the legal profession.” “I was fortunate to be offered the opportunity to complete an MPhil degree at Cambridge, for which I studied the theory of justice with Baroness Onora O’Neill and researched legal medicine. I knew I wanted to return home to Guernsey and doing the GDL with the GTA University Centre in Guernsey enabled me to make the transition into the legal profession.” The fact that the course is taught fully on island with lecturers from Bournemouth University was a big draw for Edwina.
James Orrick works at Private Equity Administrators as a manager and is currently in the final year of the MSc Corporate Governance/ICSA course. The course is an opportunity to gain two important qualifications, ICSA membership and a master’s degree, from one course.
“I decided to undertake the Masters course primarily to further my knowledge in the subject matter but also to improve my career opportunities,” said James. “The majority of our investment advisers have some form of MBA/MSC qualification, and I decided that this would be a good opportunity to take up and to differentiate myself from the multitude of other accountants on the island.” The MSc Corporate Governance/GradICSA programme is taught over ten weekends per year, for two academic years in association with Bournemouth University’s School of Management. “The course isn’t for the faint-hearted!” “It involves a lot of independent study and once a month the tutors fly in from Bournemouth University to teach over a Friday and Saturday.” The programme has been developed in close collaboration with the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (ICSA).
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“We were lucky to have some very erudite and interesting lecturers. The GTA organised the course superbly. Doing the course on island has so many benefits: you can work and study at the same time, you have a group of islanders with whom to discuss your studies, and you don’t have the hassle of travelling to the UK.” The GDL comprises eight core units that focus on the foundations of legal knowledge. Units are taught by legal specialists from the University of Bournemouth through lectures, seminars, tutorials and independent learning. For Edwina, the GDL has been a vital qualification to assist her in her transition from a medical to a legal career. “The GDL has been essential for both my role at Mourant Ozannes and my legal career. I wish to become an Advocate and the GDL is the requisite first step to achieve this.” “The GDL is hard work, but very worthwhile. I would recommend the on-island route to anyone considering a career in law.”
“The course is split into various modules such as law, accountancy, company secretarial practice, ethics, risk and financial management and corporate governance.” James was able to take the fast track route for this course which shortened it by a year. “This was one of the reasons I took the course,” he said. I was permitted to go on the fast track route because I am a member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, and therefore the first year modules simply repeat some of the content of this qualification.” Having the opportunity to complete a course like the MSc and ICSA on-island while working full time was an important advantage for James when he was reviewing his further education options. “The only other way to do a course like this would be to take a career break and go on a full time course in the UK or to do long distance learning, neither alternative of which interested me.” For James the most difficult aspect of the course was actually devoting the time to study. “Aside from that it was relatively painless,” he joked. “Passing the course work and exams has to be my favourite part of the course, and the biscuits provided by the GTA during the coffee breaks!”
GUERNSEY’S STYLE MAGAZINE