Staff Spotlight - Alison Kirk
At UHI Perth, we offer a wide range of subject areas from SCQF Levels 5 - 10 within Business, Administration and Accounting from National Qualifications to Honours degree.
We talk to employers locally and nationally to ensure that all our courses provide the most current knowledge and skills required in the workplace. Our courses have a practical foundation and students can expect to be developing and applying their new skills from day one. Highly experienced and enthusiastic staff work to support students to achieve their full potential and gain the best possible educational experience within the department. In the blog this week, we meet a new member to the team 😊 👇
Can you tell us about yourself?
My name is Alison Kirk and I live in Perth.
What is your role at UHI Perth?
I am an Administration and IT lecturer for UHI Perth and the Personal Academic Tutor for NQ Administration and the HNC and HND Administration and IT courses. I have been a lecturer for over three years with UHI Perth.
What’s the best part of your job?
The best part of my role is meeting the students. I really enjoy watching students grow in confidence as they develop new skills and increase their knowledge.
What is a typical day at work like?
A typical day at work includes checking and responding to emails, delivering lectures, meeting students, and marking students work.
What has been your most memorable moment since working at UHI Perth?
My most memorable moment was my very first class. The students were all lovely and very welcoming and it has been the same with every class since.
What might people be surprised to know about you?
Most people are surprised to find out that I don’t drink hot drinks.
Do you have any interesting hobbies?
I don’t have much time for hobbies as I have two primary school children, but I do enjoy walking and running when I can.
Favourite type of food?
I would love to say something healthy, but my favourite food must be pizza!
Favourite holiday destination, and why?
My favourite holiday destination is Portugal. We enjoy going to Zoomarine with the kids.
Where would you like to travel next?
Our next holiday is going to be Disneyland in Paris. We have never been, so we are very excited to go in October.
Favourite TV show or film?
My favourite film at the moment is Avatar 2.
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
As a child I wanted to be a teacher and often played in the garden with my blackboard and chalk.
If you were a super-hero, what type of powers would you have?
This is a conversation I often I have with my kids as we are big Marvel fans. It is very difficult to choose, but I would love to have the power to travel back in time so I could revisit happy memories.
First thing you would do if you won £1 million?
If I won £1 million the first thing, I would do is book a big holiday for all our friends and family.
Who, or what, inspires you?
I am inspired by people that don’t give up.
Happiest memory?
Too many to pick just one.
And most embarrassing?
I embarrass myself at least once a day so there is far too many to big just one but my most recent embarrassing moment was when I decided to have a mint tea. I don’t normally drink hot drinks, so I wasn’t expecting it to be quite as hot as it was and took a big mouthful only to have to run out of the room to the nearest bathroom. I was left with a very burnt mouth and a red face!
And finally, if someone is interested in studying Administration and IT at UHI Perth, what would your advice be to them?
My advice would be to make sure you can achieve a good balance between your studies and any other commitments that you might have. If you have a busy personal life or work, you can complete many of our courses as a part-time student or via Distance Learning.
