resilient mum secures digital marketing scholarship

A believe housing tenant has won a master’s degree scholarship which could help restart her career after she was made redundant.

Rachel McCourt, who lives in Seaham with her partner and two-year-old daughter, has earned herself a £9,000 scholarship with Digital Knowledge Lab.

The collaboration between York St John University and Gateshead-based digital marketing specialists Mediaworks will see her spend 18 months studying for a master’s in digital marketing and data analytics.

Just days after hearing she’d beaten more than 50 other applicants to secure the place, the 25-year-old was dealt a bitter blow when her employers, Great Annual Savings, went into administration.

Rachel said: “It was such a crushing blow for me personally as well as for all my other colleagues, but the fact that I can now focus on my studies without the financial burden others might face in studying such a prestigious qualification is a huge silver lining.

“While I now need to find a job, there is enormous comfort that my longer-term skills and qualifications are taken care of.”

Rachel won the place as part of a new initiative between Digital Knowledge Lab, Mediaworks and their partners Northern Housing Consortium (NHC).

Through Mediaworks’ activity with NHC and its member housing associations, including believe housing, they offered a fully funded place to someone living in social housing.

Rachel spotted the opportunity on social media and thought she’d have a chance through her family’s tenancy with believe housing.

Catherine Wilmot, Executive Director (Operations and Finance) at Northern Housing Consortium said Rachel’s “passion and enthusiasm for the opportunity” was clear.

Rachel spent more than six years with Great Annual Savings, becoming marketing advisor and overseeing a range of tasks including copywriting, social media, design, and website management.

She added: “This was my first job out of college, and I have learned lots.

“But it was a period where I was looking to extend my marketing understanding in a digital environment, so I’m really keen to hear from others who are experts in their field.

“I know this will stand me in great stead in achieving my long-term career goals.

“The selection process was very nervy as I’d never really been interviewed for more than six years, but I’m so proud of myself to have secured the scholarship.”