LILA TAMEA CHANGING DIRECTION

Despite completing an undergraduate degree in Law, Lila Tamea knew her true passion lay elsewhere. Choosing to study a master’s in Education may have been a change in direction, but Lila could not be happier with her new career path.

“I actually made the decision that I didn’t want to go into Law during my undergraduate degree,” Lila admits. “I went out and did work experience during my second year of study, and I realised then that it wasn’t the career for me.”

Changing direction was not a decision that came lightly to Lila, who was initially apprehensive about returning to study. After being in the Student Officer Team at the JMSU for a couple of years, Lila realised that her passions were outside of law and actually in education. After receiving an email from a student about their MA in education, she knew that was the direction her career was naturally heading. “I thought ‘this is it’,” Lila says, smiling. “Since starting my postgraduate course, I realised it was a perfect fit for me. Postgraduate study is going to help me unlock opportunities that I would not have had with just my undergraduate degree. Now I want to eventually specialise in Higher Education (HE), potentially even become a consultant. And it was all because of that email that I am where I am today.”

LJMU hasn’t only offered Lila the perfect postgraduate course, she has also been able to put the theory into practice thanks to a variety of work experience opportunities. “While studying my master’s, I worked part-time with the Outreach team here at LJMU,” she explains. “My first assignment was around Higher Education; looking at the barriers surrounding HE, and issues around access and participation. Being able to demonstrate my skills working at the university has been invaluable, and then also from an academic point of view, linking this practical experience to my assignments has been really helpful.”

Lila has been a lot more confident in her choice of course at postgraduate level. “I did it backwards this time! I looked into the career I wanted first, then chose what to study off the back of that, rather than the other way around. This means I have made more of an informed choice instead of just jumping in, and that has made me more confident in my decision. Being on my course and enjoying it has made such a difference – I have found my passion in Higher Education. It is never too late to change your mind and find a new path!”

After graduating nearly a year ago, Lila is now moving from her graduate role working at an online legal education provider and returning to LJMU as a trainee lecturer. Along with that, she will be pursuing a PhD. Keeping herself busy, Lila will also be maintaining her positions on the board at the Baltic Creative and LJMU’s Centre for Educational Leadership advisory board. We are excited to see Lila’s next steps at LJMU.