Candidate Profiles
We interviewed two past candidates about their experience of the examination route to Qualification. Jan and Anne’s comments can be found below.
Jan Lloyd, MBIFM, Facilities Manager, The Land Registry, Telford office
|
Which accredited university course did you attend? |
I did a post-graduate diploma in FM with the College of Estate Management in 2002 and an MSc in FM with the University of the West of England, which I completed in 2004. |
|
Why did you decide to do the BIFM Qualification? |
To complement my post-graduate diploma and my MSc. I think the three qualifications sit very closely together. |
|
When do you hope to complete the Qualification? |
I have done three of the six management groupings of the BIFM portfolio and hope to complete during 2005. |
|
What benefits do you expect to gain from the Qualification? |
It will be good to be able to use the post-nominals BIFM (Qual): a recognition of my competence as an FM. |
| Do you manage to find time for any other CPD-related activities? |
I have continued to work with the College of Estate Management, marking student assignments. I am also working towards RICS accreditation through the APC route. |
|
What are you finding most challenging and how are you overcoming these challenges? |
Time constraints. When I first set myself a time-scale for completing this, I was totally unrealistic. With a day job as well, you have to be realistic. |
| What aspects are you finding most rewarding? | It was rather nice when I received my last assignment back and was told I had ‘exceeded the criteria’! |
| Do you have any tips or advice for aspiring candidates? |
Set yourself plenty of time. And as you’re going along and come across documents that might be useful for your portfolio, set them aside in readiness. |
| Do you have any other comments you feel may be helpful? | Remember that BIFM are there to support you – there is a host of other services and information available to you through them. |
| Finally, what’s your favourite pastime when you’re not working or studying? | I am an avid golfer – when I can find the time! |
Anne Lennox-Martin, BIFM (Qual), FBIFM, Independent Consultant but currently working through Facio Consult|
Which accredited university course did you attend? |
I did an MSc in Facilities and Environmental Management at University College London in 1995. |
|
Why did you decide to do the BIFM Qualification? |
To promote the Qualification within the BIFM and to demonstrate my belief in BIFM professional qualifications for the future. |
|
When did you complete the Qualification? |
In 2001. |
|
What benefits did you gain from the Qualification? |
An understanding of the current qualification process from a student’s perspective, together with personal satisfaction. |
|
How has your career developed since completing the qualification? |
My MSc doubled my salary in four years. The Qualification was the icing on the cake. |
|
What did you find most challenging? |
Studying whilst holding down a busy, responsible job. |
| What aspects did you find most rewarding? |
The intellectual stimulation. |
| Do you have any tips or advice for aspiring candidates? |
Be sure of what you want and what you hope to gain, then ask questions of as many others as possible. Do your research before committing to the long haul. Then give it all you have or you will be wasting your time. |
| Do you have any other comments you feel may be helpful? |
The Higher Education route is a good way for those who already have an MSc or MBA in FM and it is not as hard to convert to a BIFM Qual as many people think.
For the future it combines the credibility of the recognised HE qualifications with the aspirations of a growing professional body of managers and supports BIFM in its widest endeavours. |
| Finally, what’s your favourite pastime when you’re not working or studying? | I am a semi-professional singer so gigging plus travelling, gardening and meeting friends in the pub! |
