Becky Broughall

 

BSc (Hons) Event & Festival Management

Graduated 2016

I’m Becky, and I studied Event & Festival Management at Bucks from 2013-2016. I’m now the Senior Communications & Engagement Manager at ITVET (https://itvet.co.uk/). I’m 30 and live with my husband Paul, our 16-month-old son Zach, and our three cats. I’d love to say “in my spare time…”, but there's none of that at the moment!

 

What are your memories of being a student at BNU?

My favourite memories are with my housemates, some of which I'm still in touch with. We had so many laughs living together for three years. Moving away from home for the first time is really daunting and you are literally figuring out being an adult, but it helps when you have a fun group to do it with. We did bicker a lot too though, over the bins and heating, but that's just a pre-cursor to living with a partner really, isn't it?

The Student's Union put on some amazing nights out while I was at Bucks. This included live music from Circa Waves, Newton Faulkner and Dagny too which was a bonus! My course also took me to some fantastic places - Amsterdam, Barcelona and Switzerland! 

What advice could you give to recent graduates who want to get ahead?

Keep investing in your personal development - whether through courses, events, networking, freelance work, or any role even slightly linked to your field. Every experience counts and could be the stepping stone that gets you closer to where you want to be. It also demonstrates commitment and initiative to future employers.

How did your degree at BNU impact on your career?

My degree has had a big impact on my career. Although it’s not a role where a degree is strictly required, the knowledge and experience I gained put me a step ahead of other candidates. I took every volunteering opportunity going, got involved in the Students’ Union, and picked up as many jobs as I could - paid or unpaid - to build experience. Setting myself up before graduating helped shape my CV and made me stand out to employers.

Why did you join the course?

Honestly, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do after school, but the course sounded interesting and fun. I wouldn’t recommend choosing a degree just because it sounds fun, but I knew I wanted to study something that genuinely interested me. I’ve always found academic work challenging, so a course with less emphasis on exams and more on practical, coursework-based learning suited me well.

What aspects of your studies did you enjoy the most and why?

We had an amazing group of lecturers - some of whom are still teaching at Bucks now - plus brilliant guest speakers. One that really stayed with me was Claire O’Neill, who spoke about event sustainability. Her talk influenced my entire dissertation and even shapes my current work, where sustainability is still a key focus.

I also had an amazing opportunity to volunteer at Hearing Dogs for Deaf People as their Social Media Coordinator during my final year at Bucks and it's still one of my favourite experiences ever. 

Which parts of your student experience were the best preparation for your job?

Definitely the range of opportunities. There was always something to get involved in, and me being me had to get involved in as many as I could. Internally, I was RAG (Raise and Give) Chair, involved in Netball soc, organising events in the Event soc as well as making the most of the external opportunities such as volunteering at large events (scanning tickets and fencing) and freelance social media work. 

My attention to detail definitely stems from those early experiences and working in lots of different roles and environments. Lists are my best friend now - you live and learn!

What are your major careers milestones since completing your studies?

I’ve had some fantastic roles over the past decade, and I recently completed my Foundation degree in Internal Communications. 

Interestingly, the role I’m in now is the most aligned to my degree, even though I initially went down the Marketing route before moving into employee wellbeing, communications & engagement around six years ago. The skills are all transferable though and a big part of my current role involves organising employee events. 

What are your future ambitions?

I’m very much rooted in the People space at the moment, and I genuinely love it. I’m open to where the future might take me, but after a few very busy years, I’m quite happy staying put for now!

What advice would you give to a student considering the course or looking to get into a career in your sector?

Go for it - you won’t regret it. Event Management gives you incredibly transferable skills and opens so many career paths. It’s fun, rewarding, and equips you to wear multiple hats. University also exposes you to new people, experiences, and opportunities you may never have come across otherwise and those life experiences count for a lot.