09 Keele Management School News l Summer2014
Keele Economics and Finance Society( KEFS)
Run by Students, for Students
KEFS was voted the Most Improved Society Award presented to an established society that has demonstrated growth and improvement since the previous academic year.
Membership of KEFS is open to any student studying Economics and Finance modules or those with an interest in Economics and Finance. They organise study sessions including‘ Investment’ and‘ Research’ sessions, social activities and events in collaboration with other societies such as‘ Global Affairs’ for which KEFS provided a 15-minute presentation entitled‘ An Economic Analysis of a Country’.
“ Our members are encouraged to get involved in the participation and organisation of these study groups as they are student-led by fellow students of each year. As we work hard, we also play hard and enjoy meeting for socials and other activities on a regular basis!”
As well as an active involvement in this year’ s Society Sign Ups, the Economics and Finance Society have kept a high level of awareness and tried proactively to recruit new members at other events such as the‘ Welcome Festival’. They have also participated in the‘ Give it a Go’ programme, adding their own independent events to the programme resulting in a more diverse footfall and a greater focus on non-traditionally engaging students, opening up the society to as many people as possible and highlighting the diverse nature of their membership.
Keele Management Society
Keele Management Society is still pretty new to Keele; it was started by a group of KMS students to help each other get the most out of their time at Keele and to help students mix in the departments of the Management School. Keele Management Society is both fun and academic; the Society holds a mixture of weekly socials as well as talks, trips and much bigger events like a Christmas and End of Year Ball. So there’ s plenty to do and always something for everyone. This year the Society is also very excited to announce the start of their overseas trips!
On the academic side of things, they’ ve arranged plenty of talks this year. In past years they’ ve arranged for representatives from Nissan, Barclays Bank and InternChina. They also hold regular revision sessions around exam time, and have great ties with Careers and Employability. What more could you want from a society?
Come and find them at Freshers Fair, say hello and grab some freebies!
Meet our staff
Dr Steve French
Lecturer in Human Resource Management
Tell us about your role with KMS?
I have worked at Keele for 14 years and undertaken a wide range of roles within the School and University. I am currently the subject lead for the HRM and Industrial Relations teaching group and teach on full-time undergraduate and postgraduate HRM courses, as well as the part-time distance learning courses in Industrial Relations where Keele has a strong reputation for providing lifelong learning opportunities.
If you weren’ t an academic what would you be?
I was formerly a computer programmer and a trade union representative and I expect I would have tried to become a full-time trade union official if I had not taken an academic career path.
What would you say to a prospective student thinking of joining us in Keele Management School?
Although students are clearly interested in studying management subjects with an eye to their future careers, university should be seen as more than a mechanism to enhance employability and rather a wonderful opportunity to critically engage with ideas that have interpreted and shaped the world in which we live.
What is the most important message you would give to a new undergraduate KMS student?
The first year of an undergraduate course is a really important year of study. The more energetically students engage with their classes, develop their academic reading and writing skills and approach their assessments, the greater chances they have of achieving a really good degree.
While it is important that students have a wide-ranging experience at university, it is also easy to mis-manage time and not to devote sufficient effort to your degree. This is a false economy!
Any advice for a postgraduate or executive training student with KMS?
Postgraduate and professional development courses can be really challenging in terms of the level of commitment required. Staff at Keele provide excellent support to students on these courses, but never underestimate the time it takes to undertake your studies, especially on distance learning when you are balancing work, family and studies.
If you could visit any country in the world, which would it be and why?
Wales – wonderful countryside, fantastic rugby and home for tea-time!