Laura Swanwick - BA (Hons) Media Studies

» What were the main reasons why you took the course?

I studied media at A level and really enjoyed it. There are lots of elements to media and lots of options afterwards, like broadcast media, print media, web design and journalism.

» What were the mains reasons you chose Derby?

Derby was a convenient location for me, I was able to stay at home and commute. Plus Derby is familiar to me as I spent time here as a child visiting the city centre and park, so I feel safe in Derby.

The open days were really friendly, the staff were helpful and the atmosphere was nice and relaxed.

» How would you sum up your experience of the course here at Derby?

The subject was so varied and I got a lot out of it; there were lots of opportunities and tasters which helped me to decide on the area I wanted to go into after I graduated. The tutors were really supportive all the way through too and I made loads of friends for life through my course. You get to meet such a diverse range of people from different backgrounds which was a real extra to my University experience.

» How has Derby helped your career so far?

Whilst studying the course I worked for Aim Higher for Derby and as a student ambassador. These roles really gave me a taste for the higher education sector and I realised that I wanted to work in this sector in my future. I enjoyed working with the students to promote the University.

This led to the lift off of my professional career as I secured myself with a job in the University's central marketing department working for the Education Liaison team - which promotes the University to potential undergraduates.

This then led to my current role which is as a Marketing Officer for Central Marketing.

» What would you say to someone thinking of coming here to study at Derby?

My time at Derby has been really memorable, they have been the best years of my life so far and I have met some good people and made some great friends. The support networks were really valuable to my experience and I would definitely 100% recommend the University of Derby.

I have studied and worked here and my message to you is: Derby is a great place and a place of great opportunity. Plus it is an exciting time to be in Derby at the moment, it is really being promoted as a city and there are loads of development projects going on in University and in the community and city centre. Derby is really up and coming city and it's interesting to see the journey of its commercial progression.