Garry Packer
Garry Packer studied at UWE part-time for 11 years, from 1995 to 2006, achieving a BA in Economics and an MSc in Transport Planning. He also found time to hold down a day-job – and instigate a career change.
Heading back into academia was a big step for Garry, who’d left school in 1976. “After nearly 16 years in engineering roles, it was time for a new challenge,” he says, “and UWE helped me rise to it. I really wanted to improve my writing and analytical skills, and think about moving my career in another direction.”
Slow and steady wins the race
Garry took a ‘slowly but surely’ approach to his studies, completing his BA part-time at UWE over eight years, while carrying on working. Partway through, he joined the Highways Agency, initially as an engineer and then moving into project management.
Once he’d finished his BA, Garry went straight on to study an MSc in Transport Planning, which again he did at UWE on a part-time basis. “I was keen to tie in my studies more closely with my new role at the Highways Agency,” Garry explains. “Also, my employers were more than happy to sponsor me to do it.”
How it's all related
Since completing his Masters, Garry has been promoted, and now leads a technical team that manages roadside information systems all over England’s motorways. “Those signs that tell you about fog, roadworks, delays and temporary speed restrictions? They’re the end result,” he says, “but my team and I work on the complex technology behind them, and build virtual models of the English road network, so the Highways Agency can manage traffic more effectively.”
An eye opener
Garry says his MSc in Transport Planning really opened his eyes to the wider context of his work. “UWE is a centre of excellence for Transport Planning qualifications, so I’m really glad I went there,” he says. “Not only did I refine my skills and knowledge, I was also among like-minded people, who clearly love the subject. It made all the difference – I didn’t feel like an anorak any more!”
A door opener
Garry’s MSc has also helped move his career into the fast lane. “I’d struggle in my current role without my MSc,” he says. “I think I was promoted on the strength of it.”
As for the future, not surprisingly, Garry is keen to keep developing. “I’d like to go into a research and development role with the Highways Agency one day. Maybe UWE can help me with that, too!”
Page last updated 1 November 2011