Brittany Lee Dixon | Dual Accreditation

I found the learning style to be incredibly engaging and motivating, because it involved more practical aspects, which incorporated real world business examples. I was able to learn key theoretical frameworks within business management and through different styles such as case studies, employer-led projects and business simulations, implement these theories into practice.

Brittany Lee Dixon
University of Derby

Goals

I decided to register for the BA (Hons) Business Management Course because it provided me with the opportunity to study for a dual accreditation with the CMI. The fact that when I graduated I would not only receive my under graduate degree but, in addition, a level 5 Diploma in Management and Leadership was one of the reasons I chose to study the dual accreditation. This is because, through having a professional qualification from the CMI, it would make me more employable because I would have developed additional key skills and knowledge.  Furthermore, the professional development and membership services offered to me by the CMI were exceptional. The fact that there were online services to assist me with my studies along with networking events to help me increase my commercial awareness and meet key industry experts definitely attracted me to the dual qualification.

My goal in taking the CMI dual qualification was to become more employable when I left university through developing my business knowledge and transferable skills. More specifically, I wanted to increase my leadership ability, commercial awareness, communication, presentation, problem solving analytical and critical thinking skills. This is because I believe these are imperative when pursuing a management career. In addition, I aimed to develop my business management knowledge to help me to professionally develop, through fostering a deeper understanding of what management involves and how to become an effective manager in the future.

Therefore, by the end of the CMI qualification, I wanted to have developed professionally through gaining invaluable knowledge and skills in order to be more employable. I also wanted to have met various key industry experts and expanded my professional network through which I could acquire invaluable insider information into the role of managers and how to be successful within the industry.

The CMI qualification

I decided to study the BA (Hons) Business Management with the Level 5 Diploma in Management and Leadership at the University of Derby because I found the staff to be particularly friendly and helpful, which was important to me. In addition, the campus appealed to me because I liked the fact that everything I needed was at one site and particularly the open, friendly atmosphere within the atrium. I had visited Derby University numerous times because my sister was studying her Law degree there and thoroughly enjoyed the environment as everyone was so friendly and welcoming.

I found the learning style to be incredibly engaging and motivating, because it involved more practical aspects, which incorporated real world business examples. I was able to learn key theoretical frameworks within business management and through different styles such as case studies, employer-led projects and business simulations, implement these theories into practice. A key example was one of the modules I undertook in my second year of study that involved running a simulated business and making key strategic decisions and analysing the outcomes and how different divisions of the business were affected. This was intellectually stimulating, because I was able to implement my business management knowledge that I had acquired in my first year to help me foster an understanding of how a business operates. I believe that the practical learning style has enabled me to develop key transferable skills, for example the business simulation module enabled me to develop my problem solving, decision making, teamwork and communication skills, as we managed the simulated business in teams. In fact sometimes we worked within teams on projects or assignments, which I believe is imperative as it enabled me to develop my teamwork and leadership skills which I can utilise within my future career. There were various teaching styles used throughout the qualification, including lectures, workshops and tutorials. The workshops and tutorials involved more of an active, practical style of learning, as this is where case studies and real world business examples were further explored. I also enjoyed the coursework aspect, as it enabled me to gain further knowledge into the specific subject, providing me with the opportunity to carry out additional research into the topic and foster a more in-depth understanding. 

I thoroughly enjoyed the experiential learning style of the qualification along with the professional development opportunities it provided me with. This is because studying theory and then putting it into practice using real world business examples is an enjoyable method of study. Furthermore, the lecturers were enthusiastic and the different teaching styles used were intellectually stimulating. Finally, the online services provided by the CMI assisted me throughout my studies, especially the online journal database. This made studying the dual qualification enjoyable, as I had access to resources to assist me with my assignments and help me foster a deeper understanding of the topics I was studying. 

Outcome

After completing the CMI qualification I have developed my knowledge of business management, especially regarding how to be an effectively manager or leader. Through acquiring this knowledge and participating in the various learning activities I believe I have developed my communication, teamwork, leadership, listening, interpersonal and problem solving skills. All of which have assisted me to develop professionally and become more employable, within a competitive market. In fact, by having a level 5 Diploma in Management and Leadership by the CMI, I have noticed that during my job hunt, it has been a key conversational area with employers, as it is highly regarded within the industry. It illustrates my motivation to acquire knowledge and enhance my skill set, as it depicts how I have gone over and above just studying an undergraduate degree to successfully obtain a professional qualification as well.

Not only did I develop my knowledge and skills, but I was also provided with numerous events through which I was able to network with key business leaders. I believe this has enabled me to enhance my commercial awareness within the industry, along with build a strong network within the industry, potentially facilitating my future career progression. This has taught me the importance of having a strong network within the industry, because through listening to experts I am able to further enhance my knowledge.

Finally, I believe that through completing the dual qualification I have become a lot more aware of management and leadership styles and I am more confident when leading or managing a team. This has assisted me in developing key transferable skills, enabling me to be more employable. In fact I have recently been successful in securing a position on a graduate Business Management and Customer Operations Programme, where I aim to further cultivate my knowledge and skills that I gained through the dual qualification.