Feature: Education Column

BD-NTWK’s Nick Collins updates us on how his studies are going for this year’s ISP Diploma.

This morning I received an email informing me that the 4th online test is ready, which means it’s time to put the knowledge I’ve gathered from Module 4 into practice.

However, I’m getting ahead of myself. Firstly, I need to put the finishing touches to Module 3’s questions on ‘Briefing, Research and Evaluation’.

After the baptism of fire of four questions a piece for the first two modules, Module 3 posed just two tasks, which have had me evaluating a client brief, and making reporting recommendations for a campaign evaluation. As luck would have it, I’ve recently drafted a reporting template so I should have the latter put to bed in no time!

In Module 4, as will also be the case for Module 5, we covered content specific to our chosen study option, Creative, Promoter or Project Management – so for me that was ‘Project Management 1’, which is soon to be followed by – wait for it! - ‘Project Management 2’.

Module 4 took us through premium sourcing, promotional validation and print, with fulfillment, budgeting and risk management due to be covered off in Module 5.

In preparation for this, myself and other BD diploma students got a helping hand from Mando Brand Assurance who spent an afternoon outlining the alternative methods of protecting a client’s budget, as well as simplifying how to assess redemption rates – play ‘Family Fortunes’ and ask colleagues & friends whether they’d redeem.

So, is balancing the course with ‘real’ work an easy feat? Our survey says, ‘eh ehhh!’ I’m sure this studying malarkey was a lot easier as a student. Then again, how many students have their lectures in Mayfair?