Emma Finds the Right Pathway for her at SERC

Emma Loughlin (31), Belfast, came to SERC and reignited her passion for education, helping her move closer towards her career goal of working in healthcare.

For personal reasons, Emma left school at 18 with no A levels, and later attended courses at Belfast Metropolitan College on two separate occasions. Despite doing very well on both courses, she felt she could not continue for personal reasons. 

After being a stay-at-home mother for 6 years, Emma decided to re-enter the world of work. A co-worker who was studying a course at SERC at the time told her about the great opportunities at SERC. Emma would go on to study NVQ level 2 and Level 4 HNC in Healthcare Practice at SERC’s Newtownards Campus.  

On her time at SERC, Emma comments, “I never believed in my abilities when it came to education and constantly doubted myself throughout the course. Thankfully, I had amazing tutors who were always there to talk to and give me the push I needed. It was hard at the beginning to get used to the online learning due to covid but once we got into a routine it was just like being in a classroom.  

“For anyone thinking about applying for further education or higher education I would say just do it. I'm not going to say it's going to be easy; I'm telling you it's going to be worth it. The fact you're considering it means deep down you have the ability to succeed. It will have its ups and downs but if you keep going with it, it will pay off.” 

“As for my tutors, how do I put into words how amazing they all are. Judith, Laura and Frank - if I hadn't had those three amazing people as my tutors, my life would have been incredibly different. Those three have opened my eyes to what I could achieve and what I could become, in a way that I never thought possible. Their encouragement and persistence taught me that I am capable of more than I ever thought. “ 

Emma now has an offer to study Mental Health Nursing at Queens, we wish her the best of luck with her continued studies. 

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