Inés  Teresa-Palacio MA Transnational Studies, 2007

Acting Head of Strategic Marketing

Hi, I'm Inés Teresa-Palacio and I studied MA Transnational Studies within Humanities at the University of Southampton.

All the skills I developed during my MA (research skills, prioritisation, ability to analyse complex issues and to present an argument in the most credible and efficient manner) have been useful throughout my professional career after graduation, helping me to tackle each work challenge in a positive and efficient way.

 What did you enjoy about the course?

I really enjoyed the flexibility to adapt each course assignment to our specific interests, the enthusiasm and approachability of all the teachers, and the cultural diversity of topics, students and staff.

What is Southampton like as a place to study?

It is great! The University of Southampton offers lots of different activities for students to engage in; the Hartley Library has all the resources you can possibly need for your assignments and offers you some quiet space to study; and the Avenue campus has a special homely and family feeling with friendly staff in the café, a lovely courtyard to relax in the summer, and surrounded by green areas.

Tell us about your current job?

I currently work in the Communications & Marketing department of the University of Southampton.

Previously, I worked in the International Office as Country Development Manager for 5 years where I was responsible for student recruitment, relationship management with partner institutions, funding bodies and VIPs, and international marketing in India, Sri Lanka, Mauritius and Central and South America.

I left the International Office following a promotion as Senior Marketing Manager in 2012. It is incredibly varied and touches on lots of different areas including student marketing and recruitment, research promotion, strategic planning, project management. It requires excellent communication skills, ability to prioritise multiple projects at the same time, research skills to keep an eye on the competition and the overall Higher Education sector, understanding of the motivations of UK and international students to come to University.

I am just about to start a 6 month secondment as Acting Head of Strategic Marketing, which will present me with new challenges and opportunities in my career!

How did your course help you in your current role?

The MA in Transnational Studies was especially helpful for my role in the International Office. As I had focused all my MA work on intercultural relations with Central and South America, I was able to apply my skills to my role as Country Development Manager straight away! I applied my insight into the complexity of political, cultural and linguistic relationships in the region to my work objective of growing the University's relationship with Latin America.

Moreover, all the skills I developed during my MA (research skills, prioritisation, ability to analyse complex issues and to present an argument in the most credible and efficient manner) have been useful throughout my professional career after graduation, helping me to tackle each work challenge in a positive and efficient way.

What advice would you give to a student starting their degree at Southampton?

Enjoy and make the most out of it!

Ensure that you ask lots of questions, use the library facilities, read a lot and keep your brain engaged, make friends and keep in touch as your MA colleagues will become an important professional network after graduation, work hard but also find the time to socialise!