The Teesside University MSc International Management graduate works for Middlesbrough Council. Kim, 27, of Darlington, said: 'While studying at Teesside I was involved in managing the traffic survey unit, which provides transport data analysis, management and maintenance to private and public sector clients in the Tees Valley. 'After completing the master’s, I was offered a secondment opportunity to join the Change Programme, launched in July 2013 to help modernise the way the council delivers services.' Kim’s new role involves co-ordinating and delivering change management plans for a range of projects within the council’s cultural and enabling programme, including introduction of new HR, financial and IT systems to the council. She decided to study at Teesside University largely due to its reputation.
'Teesside University is highly regarded and it was the obvious choice for me, as it is local and offers degree content comparable with that of other leading universities across the country.' Kim, who had previously studied Local Government Management through distance learning, added: 'I wanted to find a course which would enable me to continue studying similar content on a part-time basis. 'The University’s MSc International Management recognised the previous learning I’d gained elsewhere and at the same time, offered course content which would complement my role with Middlesbrough Council.' Kim said the variety and broad subject area of the course equipped her to develop in her current role. She said: 'We covered content such as economics, marketing, business research and management across cultures, which developed my business acumen as well as topical business knowledge required to maintain a sustainable business function in today’s economic climate. 'The learning gained helped me to develop the traffic surveys function at the council into a self-sustaining business unit. Completing this course has encouraged me to join the Chartered Management Institute and continue my learning and development through to chartered manager status.'