How Tamara is driving forward the future of visitor experiences

Driving change through research

Imagine if you could experience inspirational works of art or historical artefacts from anywhere in the world. Tamara’s research project explores the potential of virtual reality museums and art galleries to provide immersive and meaningful experiences to visitors. Her thesis has gone on to win the Association for Tourism and Leisure Education and Research 2024 UG Thesis Prize. She says:

“I was inspired by the idea that the latest technology can allow us to design and create experiences impossible to achieve in real life.”

Lecturers across Event Management use their industry experience and research to inform their teaching. Tamara credits the lecturers on her course for their support in encouraging her to produce her paper and is excited to continue to develop innovative research during further studies.

Gaining valuable experience

Tamara was able to gain valuable industry experience during her studies through a range of real-world projects including workshops and industry briefs. One of these projects led to Tamara securing a graduate role with Derby-based international company Bloc Digital, who collaborated on a coursework assignment on the degree.

“I had the opportunity to work with industries during my studies. One of our coursework tasks involved pitching a business idea to Bloc Digital. My openness, resourcefulness, and well-prepared materials caught the attention of the company's director, who later offered me a position as a Project Manager.”

Bloc Digital weren’t looking for a project manager at the time but were so impressed by Tamara’s pitch and the ideas she presented that they offered her a role. Tamara was able to join as a Junior Project Manager part-time alongside her final year studies before increasing to a full-time role upon graduation.

Combining her passions

Tamara wanted a degree that combined all her passions: creativity, planning, working with people, a career where no day is the same, and an industry that is constantly evolving. After exploring her options she found her perfect match in our BA (Hons) Event Management degree.

“My experience at the University of Derby has been incredibly enriching and transformative. I have always been fascinated by finding unusual, practical solutions and implementing them, which aligns perfectly with the dynamic nature of events management. I believed that events management would be a fulfilling career for me. The field's constant evolution, the opportunity to meet new people, and the chance to be involved in diverse events are aspects that truly excite me.”

Reflecting further on her time at Derby, Tamara says:

“I have gained a lot from the course and my time at the University and I believe that with the right approach, students can achieve a lot by using the University's networks and contacts. The knowledge I gained in lectures was very valuable, but the real benefit came from the many chances to use this knowledge in real situations. The University of Derby offered many such opportunities, which I fully took advantage of, helping me grow both academically and professionally.”

Plans for the future

Tamara’s plans don’t stop there, she wants to continue to develop both within her graduate role and from a research perspective:

“My future career plans include pursuing a Masters degree to further develop both my research and skills. My long-term goal is to not only manage projects but also actively contribute to them, offering ideas for innovative and immersive solutions made possible by the latest technologies.”