Masters students helping to solve community groups’ challenges

Masters students at the University of South Wales (USW) have been working in partnership with Monmouthshire County Council (MCC) to help promote a number of community projects.

The group, who are studying for an MSc in Strategic and Digital Marketing, have worked with the authority on their final course module, learning what it is like to be consultants in the ‘real world’. 

Dr Caryl Cresswell, who has been working as a volunteer business mentor with MCC on a number of community-based initiatives, operated alongside the students on three projects - Music in the Community, Halls Together, and how to highlight cost of living challenges.

Through the work, the students helped MCC to develop digital transformation strategies that the three community organisations could use, and then presented them to the group leaders and council officials.

The project also gave the students an opportunity to practise their consultancy and business planning skills, and a ‘real-time’ understanding of the different stages that project goes through, such as client liaison, problem solving, and professional communications.

Professor Jonathan Deacon, who is course leader, said: “This module is the very essence of the USW practice-based learning approach – we support the students to apply business theory to real situations in real time and at pace.

“I am indebted to Dr Cresswell and the team at MCC for their help in proposing a number of very valuable community-focused projects for the students to contribute to.”

Dr Cresswell said: “This project really is a win-win – the communities around Monmouthshire are going to get some quality consultancy advice from a group of hard working, enthusiastic, and talented masters students, and the students are gaining experience, networks, and confidence.

“The work I have seen from the students has a depth of insight and a high level of quality that will make a difference to the communities of Monmouthshire.”