Rose Servitova - Job Coach, Author & Festival Curator:
“From observing trends in the non-profit sector and wishing to keep my skills fresh and relevant for any opportunities that may arise with my own employer (disability service) or elsewhere, I noticed that public engagement, fundraising, corporate partnership, sponsorship and event management were on the up. I researched far and wide before settling with Fitzwilliam Institute's Diploma in Charity, Fundraising & Sponsorship Event Management - my personal circumstances (full time employee, mother of two small children, distance from educational institutions) together with their reputation, course structure and cost were my deciding factors. As the year went on, I found working at my own pace very beneficial as well as getting to apply my learning at work, which I had not expected and had me feeling much more confident in my job. It started turning into the best year ever - I was enjoying the variety at work - in 14 years, it was the best so far. Then a lifelong dream of writing and publishing a book for Jane Austen's bicentenary (2017) came up (which has received international acclaim), together with curating a Jane Austen/Georgian Festival in Limerick. While these are totally separate from my career - the skills I learned re event management and sponsorship have been invaluable and I have no doubt but I may not have ventured into this festival of theatre, screen, regency fashion, afternoon tea and workshops without it. In fact the book launch and the media attention I have received have required excellent project and event management skills. I highly recommend Fitzwilliam Institute - you never know where it may lead you!!”