Graduate Careers
James Faddes
Postgraduate Diploma Alcohol and Drugs
What did you like about the University's postgraduate course in Alcohol and Drug Studies?
The course was very focused and challenging and the Alcohol and Drug Studies lecturers knew their stuff. The clear outlay of the course - well laid-out notes - along with excellent computer and library resources helped me on my learning curve. However, meeting face to face in a classroom environment with other students made for a dynamic and relational learning environment. The practice placement firmed up a lot of the evidence I read and learned but it also helped me put my ideal notions into perspective as I worked with real people. An excellent course of study that really changed me.
What did you do after you graduated?
I worked for two years as a Drugs Development Worker for a local Social Inclusion Partnership, developing the capacity of the community and voluntary sector in its ability to respond to drug use problems in the community.
What are you doing at present?
I am currently the Project Manager for The Ark in Ayr. An early intervention initiative serving young people in Ayrshire by providing an exciting and safe alcohol free nightclub environment.
What do you intend to do in the future?
I see myself co-ordinating The Ark for the near future but I have had a vision for some time to establish a residential recovery centre on the West Coast (Ayrshire) of Scotland for people with substance use problems.
What advice would you give to current or future students?
Study hard. Don't eat too much chocolate. Stay close to the ones you love. And finally, 'be willing to be driven by the evidence and firmly committed to harm reduction'. Oh, and think early about your practice placement, literature review and research proposal.
David Shaw
Postgraduate Diploma Alcohol and Drugs Studies (with practice)
with Distinction
Current Employer: Renfrew Council on Alcohol as a counsellor.
After completing a degree in social sciences I was unsure
of where to go next. When I found out about the postgraduate
diploma with Alcohol and Drug Studies here at
the University, I decided it would be ideal for me,
as I had an interest in working with people who have experienced
problems due to substance misuse.
What did you like about the postgraduate course in Alcohol and Drug Studies?
I enjoyed taking part in the seminars and discussing some of the issues and debates that arose during the course. I also liked the practice placement component.
What did you do after you graduated?
After graduating I continued working as a full-time support worker and counsellor at Renfrewshire Council on Alcohol . I also delivered a lecture at the University as a guest lecturer, and I would like, if possible to expand on this by getting involved in similar seminars and lectures in the future.
What are you doing at present?
At present I am involved in a number of projects within my workplace; these include stress management training and group work training I am also setting up a Men's Group for our clients. Delivering training for volunteer and sessional counsellors is also an area I have an interest in. I am also undertaking training in a number of subjects and hope to qualify as a trainer with a SVQ qualification in September.
What do you intend to do in the future?
I hope to broaden the scope of my knowledge by gaining more experience in the alcohol treatment field and return to Paisley in the future to take the Masters in research in Alcohol and Drug Studies.
What advice would you give to current or future students?
I would advise students on the PgD course to think carefully about the specific area they would like to work in before graduating. I would also say that objectivity is a vital tool in understanding the complex and emotive issues implicit in the alcohol and drug treatment field.
I have very much enjoyed taking part in the postgraduate diploma course here. It has been invaluable to me in changing my career and broadening the scope and depth of my knowledge and awareness of substance abuse.
I found the teaching staff here approachable and knowledgeable, and open. Their IT resources are also useful and helpful and indeed accessible. In short, the course has provided me with the necessary skills and knowledge to understand the complex issues involving the provision of treatment services to individuals with problems due to misuse of substances.
I would not hesitate to recommend the course to anyone interested in the field of addictions.