Joseph Maxwell ClarkWhere and what were you before coming to Northumbria University?
I was working for the private sector in Denver, Colorado. Why did you choose Northumbria University? I selected Northumbria because of the faculty and the area in which the study was oriented. What are your first memories of when you arrived? I remember seeing Newcastle for the first time and thinking to myself how much rich history was contained within my view. What was the most valuable part of your student experience? The connections I've made withing my field of study and the opportunities those connections have created have been invaluable and I am very grateful for the opportunity. Who/what at the University particularly inspired you and why? My inspiration came from an instructor outside of the core cohort. His name is Simon Taylor and he gave me guidance and inspiration for work within this field. Would you like to be a student again – if so, would you do it differently? I am a lifelong student, I could go back to Northumbria to work to improve and spread awareness about the disaster management and Sustainable Development program. How useful was your degree to your current role? It has come up in various ways though my new role. The courses on project/program management, sustainable development theory and the monitoring and evaluation coursework are of use on a daily basis. What’s a typical day at work? I spend my mornings working with the local health professionals at the community health center. Usually doing small group sessions on a relevant topic i.e. Malaria prevention during the rainy season. After lunch I will usually join my neighbors for a chat and a tea.Depending on the day I may also work with some of the children on language skills and help them with English homework. What's next – any future ambitions? We shall see... a few more months in West Africa for now. |
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