Sharon, a graduate of our Addiction and Mental Health MSc, talks to us about her course and experience at London Met.
Can you tell us about your background and what led you to London Met?
I am from a non-traditional academic background, being the first person in my family and peer group to go to university. I first started at the University of Kent, which is where my passion for understanding addictive behaviours started.
After my undergraduate degree I worked for the NHS within the addiction services, but wanted to continue my studies on addiction to a higher level so I pursued an MSc in addiction at London Met.
At the time I was also heavily pregnant and I looked around many universities for a suitable MSc course, but London Met really chimed with me. There were more people from my background and walk of life. The course tutors were happy to accommodate and support me and my growing family, and they understood the diversity of student experience.
What was the highlight of your course?
The real highlight was being able to discuss and explore my subject with other students and experts in the field.
Did anything surprise you about your course or London Met?
To be honest, because I was working in the field I felt I knew quite a lot already, so when my knowledge was extended and sometimes challenged and questioned that was a pleasant surprise.
What do you like about life in London?
I love London. It is a beautiful city, full of culture and highly diverse in population and landscape. Summer in the capital is particularly beautiful.
What's next for you in your career? How do you think your time with us is helping you achieve this?
I now work at University College London as a senior researcher. My understanding of addictive behaviour has been shaped and grounded from my time at London Met. I am also fortunate enough to be awarded a scholarship to study for my PhD, and that also influenced how I think about and therefore study my subject.
What would you say to someone who's on the fence about coming back to study a master's degree?
Do it! If you love your subject and want to fully immerse yourself in the subject, then it is a great place to study.
