Josh Robson

Josh's Graduate Story

Degree Title(s): MA International Heritage Management

Job title: Senior Operations & Events Executive

Employer: Historic Royal Palaces

Tell us about your current role and employer.

I work for Historic Royal Palaces and I studied International Heritage Management as a distance learning student with the University of Birmingham between 2019 and 2021.

I am currently employed as a Senior Operations and Events Executive for Historic Royal Palaces. Historic Royal Palaces is a heritage charity, an independent heritage charity that supports the care of six palaces across the UK and Northern Ireland.

What was your journey to securing your first job after graduating from Birmingham?

I used all of the learnings from my studying with the University of Birmingham and applied that to a new opportunity that came up within my organisation and I have now been in that role for around four and a half years.

How do you feel your time at Birmingham helped to prepare you for your career?

Studying with the University of Birmingham was incredibly important to me. It came at a time in my life where I was really looking to take the next step in my career and just expand my interests and my knowledge within the heritage sector as a whole.

What was your biggest achievement during your course?

The biggest achievement for me during my course was when I was awarded a distinction for my thesis that I submitted during that time. It was a really challenging piece of work, but a piece of work that I was supported on so amazingly well from both the university and from my employer. So for me, it's a really proud moment to have been able to deliver something that was so well received.

Why did you choose to study at the University of Birmingham?

A number of my colleagues had already studied with the University of Birmingham. One colleague in particular was a year in when I started the course. So, I knew how high a regard it was held in, and I knew the industry experts that were already involved in this course and leading on those lectures. So for me, I was able to see snippets, and I was also able to see how successful several of my colleagues were becoming around me. I wanted to give myself the very best opportunity to progress within my sector and to be able to offer more into my current role. Actually, there were so many practical elements to my learning that I was able to apply directly into what I do on a day-to-day basis. It's really amazing to be able to reflect on those special moments with the University of Birmingham across my daily role.

How was your experience as a distance learning student?

I was a little bit anxious about being a distance learner at first. I knew that I wasn't going to be in that classroom environment, and I wasn't sure how I would respond to that when I was working on this higher education work, but actually the level of support was incredible. I was very honest with my employer about the level of work that I would have to put into the course and the level of support I gained from them in return was incredible and really reassuring. So, I always felt as though they were supporting me throughout the process.

What advice would you give to current students?

My advice to current Masters students with the University of Birmingham would be to really just dive in to the course and make sure that you are speaking to, communicating with your lecturers who are industry professionals held in such high regard. Equally, spend time with your fellow students who will all be from different walks of life with different experiences as well. That was something that was really valuable to me during my learning. I got to learn so much about my sector just from the other people that were coming from it to study this course with the University of Birmingham.