Julie-Watson-Cowen studied for her Housing Diploma at Southampton Solent and has since been appointed as student representative with CIH South East. Julie’s current post is Housing Enabling Officer at Havant Borough Council – and she ensures that affordable housing is delivered to meet the needs of the local population. This requires full involvement with developers, housing associations and planning officers at the council.“I have been working on my Diploma in a group of about 26 students from a variety of organisations and job roles within housing. I was surprised by how many fellow students had little idea of the important work of CIH and how influential it could be. And there seemed to be a general lack of enthusiasm for converting their student membership to full membership when completing the course.”
Julie also praised the course at Solent, and the benefits of studying at the university. “The course has covered subjects directly relating to my various roles. The fact that I was studying for the Diploma helped secure my current job. Each of the modules has benefited my work in some way or another, from devising questionnaires, delivering presentations, writing reports, understanding organisations' governance procedures and, most importantly, being able to question whether things actually work or not. I've also gained a lot of specific technical knowledge, for example in planning and design, and also an appreciation of the bigger housing-related picture.”
(Focus on FMAS newsletter, 2009)
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