My name is Charles Spady and I was born in Oregon (USA). I joined the United States Air Force Medical Service as a young adult and spent 21 years assisting the sick and injured around the globe. I paused employment plans to provide special home care for a family member. Ten years later the opportunity became available to fully commit to re-entering the workforce.
Why did I choose Westminster Business School?
I needed to prove my mind was sharp after the long employment pause. I wanted contemporary workplace knowledge and skills development. I compared degree programmes of different universities. It was only Westminster Business School that advertised both the compulsory and elective modules I knew I wanted to study. Furthermore, I found Westminster Business School’s multicultural environment and the fact it values a mature person’s experiences particularly appealing.
I studied Business Management and selectively chose elective modules based on work experience subjects I believed important. Compulsory modules built well-rounded business knowledge and skills such as the use of many Microsoft Office suite programs, research techniques and business strategies. Many modules included links between Human Resource Management (HRM) and financial perspectives. My elective modules continued focusing on HRM and finance subjects as well as emphasised Project Management (PM).
I could not have asked for more professional and supportive tutors, lecturers and administrative staff. Lectures were interactive and involved students to ensure understanding of material while being presented instead of just at the end. Seminars provided both hands-on practice and in-depth discussions around theories and workplace practices. While coursework and examinations were challenging, and therefore knowledge and skill building, grade mark explanations and improvement suggestions where always willingly and clearly provided in one-on-one meetings whenever I or subject leaders felt the need.
While I found all my modules meaningful, I particularly enjoyed the HRM and Project Management modules due to my personal passion for the subjects. Exploring HRM processes and procedures related to subjects from employee relations and development to organisational strategic HRM concepts reinforced my belief in the significance of human resource and organisation links. Investigating real-world large-scale projects enhanced my appreciation for PM concepts and application. However, even modules I did not originally have a particular passion for, such as Strategic Business Perspectives, captivated me with engaging tutors and lecturers. The decision to utilise a computer based business simulation program as an extended blended learning tool immersed me into business strategies and gave me the opportunity to experience the best group I had the opportunity to be a part of in university. I even went and bought a book on competitive advantage because of the module just so I could have a personal copy of the theory for the rest of my life.
In my final year I volunteered for the mentoring programme to assist first year students through navigating subjects such as: pre-classroom preparations, coursework workload management and registrations for next year. While technically only the junior students gained from the relationship, realistically I gained a sense of gratification in helping those also striving to improve themselves.
What does the future hold for me?
Westminster Business School staff, and a fellow alumnus, provided critical support in my gaining my first position in a well-established organisation after such a long employment break. I plan to continue personal development through specific certifications. My goal is to work in a learning and development position and ultimately manage a workforce education related department. I firmly believe Westminster Business School has provided sound theoretical and practical exposure to achieve this objective.
I am so glad I chose Westminster Business School and Westminster Business School chose me.
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Dear Charles Spady, your history is rich and inspiring. I am glad to know that Westminster embrace people like you, which makes it a very interesting place to be.
I am sure of your success on you career and wish you all the best on your new challenge.
Dear Charles,
I just came across this entry. Thank you for sharing part of your life story, and your thoughts and feelings about your time here at WBS. I was very pleased to read how much you enjoyed your experience, and that you got so much out of it. I was particularly touched to read about your taking part in the mentoring programme, sharing your own experience with new first year students. I wish you every success in your career. and hope that you will keep in touch with the School for many, many years.