Since graduating with a Master’s from BU in 2007, Alma Becirovic has forged a career in digital project management which has led to her being recognised as one of the country's leading freelancers, working predominantly in East London's Tech City - the UK counterpart to Silicon Valley.
Having completed her first degree at the Academy for Film and TV at the University of Sarajevo, Alma went on to enrol on the MA in Broadcast and Film Management (now MA Film Production) at BU. Alma said: “After researching a number of film-related MA programmes in the UK, I decided that the MA at Bournemouth University ticked all the required boxes for me. The course was a logical next step and gave me a new perspective on the business of film.
“The programme offered modules in TV and film management, from corporate strategy and operations to media law and marketing. The lectures encouraged critical thinking and there was a good balance between theory, concepts and practical work as well as regular talks from industry speakers who provided valuable insights.”
After submitting her final dissertation, Alma began working for a London-based film distribution company specialising in documentary and foreign language films. While there she began to specialise in using digital marketing to promote the products she was working on. Alma said: “Over the next few years I came to specialise in the use of digital technology and worked for many of London’s best development studios and digital agencies for a variety of clients and industries. I drew on the management skills and critical thinking I developed through my MA and this informed my management approaches and practices.”
As a freelance Project Director and Agile Delivery Manager Alma has gone on to deliver work for many blue chip clients including Google, Cadbury, the BBC, BMW, Ford, PlayStation and American Express. In 2015 she was shortlisted as one of the 10 best freelance project managers in the UK by the YunoJuno Awards, which is voted for by industry professionals and company owners.
Alma said: “Being recognised by industry professionals and my peers was a special honour for me. Being meticulous in my job, being passionate, determined and focused whilst valuing collaboration with others are some of the qualities I have taken from my studies at Bournemouth and applied to my professional life. Technology and innovation management is similar to film management in that it requires strategic thinking, people and communication skills and commercial awareness. I am proud to say that I gained a solid foundation for all of these skills while studying at BU.”
Alma’s plan for the future is to continue working in the technology sector. She said: “My goal is to continue working with the best companies, inspiring individuals and projects. I also plan to keep visiting Bournemouth whenever I can!”
