Biography
Who is David James Ross?
David James Ross is an inspirational trainer, writer and lecturer. His passions for creativity, learning, enterprise, technology and personal development are combined in his work with creative, graduate and knowledge-based businesses startups. With a background and considerable experience in career and personal development, David is able to help his clients discover their own ways to make the most of their creativity and innovation.
As well as developing and delivering face-to-face programmes such as Make It Happen, The Monthly Fix and Activate, David develops new online content based on his expertise and the needs of his clients.
Former positions
Formerly programme leader for Career Management Studies the University of Derby, David has written more than twenty publications for AGCAS and Graduate Prospects, the UK’s ‘official’ graduate careers website, mostly on creative careers and self-employment, an online self-employment toolkit for applied artists for Banks Mill Studios, funded by Arts Council England, and the professional devlopment part of the Activate toolkit for Arts Training Central.
University education
His degree in Social Anthropology provides useful theoretical background to a strong current interest in social networking and its use in marketing. A Postgraduate Diploma in Careers Guidance from the University of Huddersfield was the step that first brought David into the world of personal development and work-related issues.
New technology
Always interested in the potential of new technology in learning, David wrote and validated Career Track, an online module in career planning for undergraduates at the University of Derby. Having taught it for four years in a traditional face-to face way, it was a challenging project to rewrite it for online delivery within Blackboard. A period as a teaching and learning development worker allowed David to make use of innovative and technology-based ways of learning at a time when they will still emerging. Initial experience of authoring CD-Roms gave way to online learning development and his current interest in new media and their use in learning.
Varied client base
David’s career has allowed him to work with a very wide range of client groups, including special needs school students, PhD graduates, MBAs, marketing professionals, senior university managers, graduate entrepreneurs, foundation and access students, and undergradutes studying Law, Computing, Business Studies, Marketing, Youth and Community Work, Performing Arts, Photography, Film and Video, Web Design, Illustration, Graphic Design, Fine Art, Fashion, Textiles, 3D Design, Creative and Expressive Therapies and various specialised and professional postgraduate courses. He enjoys working with diverse groups and has successfully taught visually-impaired and hearing-impaired students. A recent project worked exclusively with overseas-qualified graduates.
Psychometric testing
David is experienced in the use of a range of psychometric instruments, holding both the British Psychological Society’s Level A and level B (intermediate) certificates in occupational testing. Although he is also trained to use SHL’s OPQ and various ability tests, David’s most extensive experience is with the MBTI and the Morrisby Profile. MBTI Step Two has been a recent addition to his psychometric arsenal.
