Former SERC Access Student Graduates with a First in Midwifery

Bangor woman, Jenni Martin (36), a former South Eastern Regional College (SERC) Access Student, has graduated with a First in Midwifery Sciences from Queen’s University Belfast and has recently taken up a post with the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust.

Before studying at SERC’s Bangor Campus, Jenni had worked as a hairdresser for fifteen years, on her decision to change careers, she said, “As cliché as it sounds, my passion for midwifery was ignited when I became pregnant with my eldest child. I find the physiology of pregnancy and birth incredible and fascinating and yet, it is the most natural thing. Having a baby is one of the most vulnerable moments of a woman's life, however, the care I received by my midwives at that time, made me feel quite the opposite. I can pinpoint my desire to support women, advocate for them and help ensure they feel empowered and safe - as I had felt - right to this time in my life.

On her time at SERC, Jenni comments, “I have fantastic memories of SERC. There was always such a friendly, welcoming atmosphere on the campus and the staff always had time for me when I needed someone to listen. I was eligible for finance which covered a large percentage of childcare costs. That allowed me to avail of the library at every opportunity and the online resources were endless.

“The Access course changed my life. I had floated through school with average marks, but I never felt so motivated and eager to learn before I started the programme. I did the Socio-bio fast-track Access Course in one year which was recommended to me by the career’s advisor in SERC.

She added, “We hit the ground running and it was hard work, but within one year, I went from being a hairdresser to a candidate ready to study midwifery at university.

“The tutors are a credit to the SERC team as they always went above and beyond with everyone in the class  and it was clear how passionate they were about us getting a place in university if that was your goal.

“The course provided an additional maths module alongside the Access Course modules, which allowed me to improve on my previous GCSE grade - a requirement I needed for university. The team at SERC were very proactive with help and support for applying to university. They provided constructive feedback for my first draft of my personal statement. The reference they produced for my university application was both personal and professional. This was all supported with information sessions on applying to university and opportunities for mock interviews to practice how to answer questions with a nerve-free, positive, and smiley disposition.

“I found the modules we covered in the Access Course gave me a good head-start for my degree teaching me how to properly structure and reference my work and helping me discover my own creative writing style. In addition, I gained a sound understanding of anatomy and physiology at a cellular level, the relevance of different research methods and how they continually shape evidence-based practice, all of which are heavily focused on throughout the degree.

On her present and future plans, she said, “I have just commenced working as a midwife for the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust and I intend to continually develop and improve on my midwifery skills, by rotating throughout the antenatal, intrapartum and postnatal areas of maternity. My exact plans for my future in midwifery are not set in stone, but I do plan - and expect - to keep loving it as I do now.

Jenni concluded, “I cannot thank everyone at SERC enough for all the help, advice and encouragement they provided me with whist I was a student there.   I guess I am proof that it is never too late to change your career and once you put your mind to it, there is plenty of help and support along the way.”

If you are interested in returning to education or changing careers, please consider our Restart and Access courses.

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