Keen to develop her leadership skills and enhance her career, thirty-year-old, Education Services Lead, at BAE Systems, Jessica Dradge, embarked on a CMI Leadership and Management course at West. Described by her tutor as purposeful, inclusive and someone with an innovative mindset, she undertook the course with a high level of commitment and honed her skills to positively impact her current positions at BAE.
Speaking to Jessica about the course, she said, “I was looking for courses to support my personal development and my Head of Early Careers suggested the CMI course as a means of consolidating my leadership skills with a qualifications.
"My mentor, and previous manager, exemplified great leadership. The way in which she supported and developed my skills professionally is something I have always wanted to ensure I can pass on to others and exhibit good behaviours to members of staff I have the pleasure to lead/manage.
I really enjoyed the practical elements of the course.
Rather than developing research papers with mountains of case studies and journal articles to read, being able to relate theory and practice to what I was currently doing in the workplace made the course ‘come to life’ for me.”
When asked how she found combing work with study and how it has aided her job, Jessica said,
Having to juggle work demands and diary commitments meant that sometimes I was unable to attend class, however the hybrid/flexible nature ensured I could keep pace and complete the work when it suited.
"This course has absolutely helped me with my work. Having a deeper understanding of management and leadership tools has allowed significant development in my current role, particularly with how I engage with individuals.
‘I would recommend the course to any person who wants to learn about what makes a good leader, the importance of self-awareness, and how to inspire others through effective leadership.
"The qualification will help with my current role in allowing me to showcase leadership qualities moving forward in my career. It will also help as I progress to managing larger or more dispersed groups of people.
‘My current role sees me working towards a number of objectives which rely on the support and interaction of both staff and volunteers. I’m hopeful the diploma will continue my development, supplementing my skills and confidence in management and leadership, ultimately to support the wider organisational strategy and mission.
To sum it up, I really enjoyed working towards my CMI qualification. I feel it has built upon my skills and made me a better leader.
I look forward to the diploma and my continual development with CMI.”