Success stories

Kirsty Matthews, third year History student at Keele University

Placement at Newcastle Under-Lyme Museum and Art Gallery.

My name is Kirsty Matthews, I am a third year History student at Keele University. I began studying a dual honours in History and Educational studies in 2011 and at the beginning of my third year I changed this to a major in History.

I took part in the Work Experience for Historians module in my second year, and I’m very glad I did. My placement was at Newcastle Under-Lyme Museum and Art Gallery, where they specialise in local history. My task while I was there was to research and curate my own display to be put in the Newcastle Guild Hall to celebrate the history of the Guild Hall.

This placement helped me to make decisions for my future, When I started University I had my heart set on a certain career path but by the end of my first year I had changed my mind, this module was taught in the second semester of my second year and this came at a perfect time for me to look into what other career options I had with my degree. Ultimately it has helped me to decide on a career path in the heritage sector of history.