Emma Hughes

Question and Answer with Emma

What was your motivation for undertaking postgraduate study?

I decided to undertake a postgraduate course mainly because I'd been in my job for the past 16 years; I’d probably got to a stage where there was nothing more I could do within the job, and so I thought “I'll try something else, I'll try something different”. I always was quite curious about business outside of my role and how things worked, and I always wanted to start my own business.

But really, I was also frustrated in my own role, and service improvement was what my role entailed.  It's just very difficult with current scenarios, things aren't as efficient as they should be in the Trust. So it was more to improve and build on and do more projects within my own work that could help improve services. So that was the main factor, and also to get more experience in management leadership to see if it was my type of thing.

How can postgraduate study fit around your busy life?

Whilst studying and learning about business improvement, I had the urge to do what I always wanted to do and start a business of my own. I work full-time and have two children, and life is very busy, but I wanted to start my own business and it's basically a business that motivates people to keep going, and it has been such an amazing journey so far.

I have loved every minute of it and don’t regret it. Although a work life balance is difficult, it's non-stop and insane managing full time work, a business, fitness and two children, but I have loved every minute of it and don’t regret it.

How can postgraduate study help build your career?

My life has changed in that it has opened up many doors, that I've seen there's so much more in the world. As much as I love my job, there's a lot more out there that I never knew about.

So it's opened up a lot of doors, a lot of networking. It was good to meet a lot of people outside of my normal work, so it was great to hear and see what they were doing, rather than me just being stuck in my own environment in work. So it  was a very refreshing experience.

I started my own business and everything is going well so far. I've enjoyed every second and I can't believe how supportive people are in the business world.

What advice would you give to those considering postgraduate study?

The advice I would give to someone who is considering postgraduate study would be go for it, absolutely take the opportunity if it's given to you. Go and get it. Go and do it.