Project 5 – Course Evaluation

Pros:
A fantastic, informative course.
This is like the Arts Degree for students that have no idea what field they want to go into! I would recommend this course to everybody but more so to those with itchy feet, looking for a career change. When I left school I studied Montessori Teaching, I then moved onto Child Psychology and Play Therapy. I worked at the Cork Regional Hospital (now CUH) in the children’s ward as a Play Specialist. I also spent a bit of time in Temple Street Hospital in Dublin. After a year I had enough – watching children suffer and die is something you can’t just switch off from when you go home. I needed a career change. I signed up for an Arts Administration course with FAS – was living on zero money for about six months, then got a graduate placement at the National Sculpture Factory. I worked with them for two years – one year contract and one year freelance. Then decided it was back to college with me and I did a Diploma in PR, Advertising and Marketing. Scariest thing I ever did – big risk – but it all worked out in the end. The KESP course would’ve been an ideal option for someone like me at the time. It covers so many subjects; it would really give you a feel for business and maybe spark an interest in a certain area.

Meeting my fellow KESPians
It was toward the end we began to really get to know eachother and bond, it was a lot of fun. They’re all a bit mad in the head (which is the best place to be a bit mad – going a bit mad in the leg could cause fierce damage) and a right shower of messers. I was an innocent bystander in a lot of the sweet throwing and dismantling of Rochestown Park Hotel pens. I swear.

Our course tutor Peter
Didn’t know a blog from a blob, but made us laugh and made us feel at ease from day one. Even more so on day two when we were all on the verge of throwing in the towel. Sowed a few seeds and gave us some stuff to think about.

I found a new love for scones.
Nuff said!

Cons:
The time!!!
This course really needs to be spread out over six months at least. A month per module would also give enough time for project work and for teams to meet up over each module. I finished my final module assessment to coincide with the final class cos I just wanted it to end. I am mentally and physically drained from it. I need a holiday or else some drugs to get me through the day!!!

IT Issues
As it was a pilot programme, there were bound to be teething problems and IT issues, these were very frustrating. The gobbling up of assessment scores and having to do the same assessment six times is enough to make you chew off your own leg.

Module Set up
Module Four should follow Module one as it gives a great overview of business. It throws you a bit when you finish module three and click into module 4 and you’re greeted with “Welcome to the KESP course” eh wha?! Hello? I’ve been here weeks!

Last but not least…

I am now allergic to scones.
I have a scone intolerance. My face breaks out in sultanas. I’m devastated.

So where next? Right now I’m thinking I’ll never do another course again – just cos this one drained the life out of me – plus I don’t think I could cram in any more knowledge. But I know, come September I’ll be itching to go again. I say it after every course that challenges me.

Project Management, Train the Trainer, maybe learn a new language? I have a little Italian and right now I would like to say I am truly FOTTUTO! ;)))

Ciao bella,
Del