Chris N.
About me
| Chris N. | |
| Biology | |
| Biology/Parasitology | |
| Research Postgraduate | |
| Derwent | |
| 1975 | |
| United Kingdom |
My employment
| Various lecturing/planning/management roles | |
| International HE institutions - UK, Asia, Middle East |
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A day in the life of a Various lecturing/planning/management roles in
My career goals when I graduated
On graduation with my BA, my primary goal was to succeed as a researcher in parasitology so I remained in the Biology Dept at York to complete my D.Phil. With the doctorate complete, my focus turned to teaching and new degree programme development.
My career history
I first spent many productive years in degree programme teaching and programme development in the UK, before embarking on an overseas career in university teaching, programme development and academic administration in the Far East and Middle East.
What has helped my career to progress
An openness to take special opportunities when they present themselves!
Courses taken since graduation
I remained at York for my Bachelors and Doctoral degrees but returned to a part-time Masters programme in Leeds Univ about 10 years afterwards. The latter specialised in health and social policy and was a vital element in creating the opportunity for me to work overseas.
How my studies have helped my career
The very highest quality of professionalism, teaching and research supervision that I experienced at York lay the foundations for my own long-term personal and professional standards
What surprised me about my career so far
The unpredictability of life and work! On initial graduation, I had no idea that I would enjoy so many happy and fruitful years in different parts of the world.
Where I hope to be in 5 years
I will remain in York
My advice to students considering work
Employers look for not only demonstrable expertise in an appropriate field but for what kind of person you have become. For example, can you work and interact productively and sensitively with others? Are you willing to keep learning in formal and informal contexts throughout your career? Are you naturally curious about whats going on around you, about people and about how things work? Are you a practical, sensible person as well as capable of conceptualisation? Anything you do during your student years to enhance these attributes will be of benefit, so (a) work hard and do well in your studies but (b) engage actively and continuously in the world around you now through university societies, volunteering, part-time or occasional work, language learning and so on, so your cv looks interesting!
My advice about working in my industry
This may not be what a new graduate wants to hear but, after many years of working overseas, my advice is that it’s great to explore international options e.g. as a graduate volunteer on a fixed-term posting such as a year or two. You would learn much about yourself in the process. However, it’s important to bear in mind that employers in all countries, both economically developed and less developed, are looking for real knowledge, experience and skill for the longer term. These attributes are best honed in a well established, modern system with good mentors and by engaging in the ‘state of the art’ in your field (whether this is science, health, business, technology or support services etc). So, get prepared and work hard in a relevant sector in the UK for a few years, then you’ll gain something of real value to offer an employer in another country and be able to enter a very competitive international environment with confidence.
Other advice
I recently retired from a life of full-time work in international higher education in the UK, the Far East and the Middle East. I was active in both teaching and in university planning and management in all three regions. In retirement, I'm now seeking to share that international experience with students considering careers or even short contracts overseas.
Contacting me
I am willing to assist and mentor any student interested in an international career, especially in the education or health fields
What I do
My most recent job was as Associate Dean of a multidisciplinary college in a new university in the Middle East (12 years in Dubai and Abu Dhabi) and prior to that I occupied similar roles in a new university in the Far East for 14 years.
The work in both countries emphasised the design and development of degree programmes, setting up and managing administrative systems, selecting the best available staff from different countries around the world and initiating links between the new university and the government and community. Degree programmes overseen have included science, public policy, business, social science and art & design.
In addition, I had a teaching role on undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes. The earlier phase of my career, immediately after graduation from York with my Bachelors and Doctoral degrees, was spent in higher education in the UK and focussed primarily on new programme development and teaching.
I have now retired from full-time work and reside near York but retain a visiting teaching role on an Executive Masters programme overseas.
Skills I use and how I developed them
Extracurricular skills:
Valuable generic ‘skills’, initially built at York and then developed in successive jobs and community engagements across the world include a genuine focus on quality and objective analysis, a willingness to keep an open mind, a high degree of tolerance of all people regardless of where they come from or how they first appear, a sense of organisation and planning, a consistent professional ethic shown to all people and in all matters, keeping the ‘big picture’ and an optimistic vision always in mind alongside a willingness to delve into the fine details when required.
What I like most
The sheer diversity of systems, cultures and people in an international working environment is both a joy and a challenge. No day is like any other, but every day provides both ample opportunity to apply experience and professional skills and also a chance to constantly learn from and enjoy a rich and complex setting for work and social life. If you are one of those people who says “I want to feel I’m making a difference” then the international career option (provided you are well prepared and of the right temperament) can be a great way to do just that.
What surprised me most
How easy it can be to make amazing and lifelong friendships in far-away places that initially seem so exotic.
Next steps...
If you like the look of Chris’s profile, the next steps are down to you! You can send Chris a message to find out more about their career journey. If you feel you would benefit from more in-depth conversations, ask Chris to be your mentor.