Introducing your new student representative
03/07/09
Julie Watson-Cowen has been studying for her Housing Diploma at Southampton Solent University for the past three years. Here she explains why she decided to take on the role of student representative with CIH South East.
'I have been working on my Diploma in a group of about 26 students from a variety of organisations and job roles within housing. I was surprised by how many fellow students had little idea of the important work of CIH and how influential it could be. And there seemed to be a general lack of enthusiasm for converting their student membership to full membership when completing the course.
'Joining the regional committee is a good way for me to get much more involved with the work of CIH South East. Hopefully I will be in a position to inform other students of the benefits of the CIH which, after all, is our professional body. I'm looking forward to being able to contribute in a practical way, particularly with our showpiece event - the Brighton conference.
'My current post is Housing Enabling Officer at Havant Borough Council. My main role is to ensure that affordable housing is delivered to meet the identified needs of our customers. This requires my full involvement with developers, housing associations and the planning officers here at the council. But we're a small borough and so my previous experience in housing, namely homelessness and private sector leasing, is still used to the full. I wear many different hats.
'The experince that I will gain from being more involved with CIH will undoubtably be of benefit, giving me a broader knowledge of national and regional policy.
'And the benefits of studying at Southampton Solent University - how long have you got? The course has covered subjects directly relating to my various roles. The fact that I was studying for the Diploma helped secure my current job. Each of the modules has benefited my work in some way or another, from devising questionnaires, delivering presentations, writing reports, understanding organisations' governance procedures and, most importantly, being able to question whether things actually work or not. I've also gained a lot of specific technical knowledge, for example in planning and design, and also an appreciation of the bigger housing-related picture.
'My customers are now usually developers, architects, housing associations and other officers within Havant Borough Council. I feel that they have benefited because my studies have made me better informed. I can now play a more useful role within my own organisation and get involved with projects outside my job remit.
'My passion is development - even as a youngster I loved drawing houses. I am very conscious that many of the developments we currently see fall short in their sustainability standards and design. I'm hoping to become an accredited assessor for the CABE 'Building for Life' programme and would like to see myself getting more involved with the actual development of affordable housing in the future.'
Julie Watson-Cowen, Student Representative
t: 02392 446507
e: julie.watson-cowen@havant.gov.uk