How a ‘niggle’ at the School Gates led Carole to University

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18 September 2020

Carole Headley

Restarting education is a big step for anyone.  But at SERC we have a range of programmes and support in place to take you where you want to go, whether you feel you missed out at school, didn’t reach your full potential, want to be able to help your children with their homework or would like to get on a pathway that is going to lead to a career.  

Over the next couple of weeks, we will be sharing the stories of three people who returned to education for a range of reasons. This week, Carole shares her story.    

Carole Headley (34), from Dundrum, is married to Lee and mum to Porter (8) and Tilly (5).  She said, “I suppose the decision for me to return to education came when I found myself embarrassed to say what I did for a living to other parents at the school gates. I was working full time in a family run fast food outlet.   It’s a good job, and I was paid well – I still work there part time –  I was paying my bills and putting food on the table but there was this niggle about other people’s perceptions of me and what I did for a living which spurred me to find out about the Restart Education course at SERC. I had decided then that I didn’t want to work in a chippy for the rest of my life. I just wanted something better for myself.

“I had gone to Shimna College - which I loved - did well in my GCSEs and went on to do my A Levels at college, but by Christmas I had lost interest, dropped out and went to work full time.   I did a few different jobs before starting work in Country Fried Chicken in Kilkeel.  My employer was brilliant, and I had loads of opportunities and training as part of the job including completing an NVQ and training up staff and preparation for opening new outlets.   When I told them I was going back to college, they were very supportive, changing my shifts around so I could go to classes.

“When I started the Restart course, I had no confidence in myself, but I could feel it growing as the course went on.   The next step was the Access Course which I did full time over 2 years, taking on my GCSE maths in the first year.

“I really hadn’t intended to go to university when I started back in education.   I had thought I might do an apprenticeship but didn’t know how to get myself into a career rather than just a ‘job’.   That’s where the careers service at SERC stepped in.   It’s integrated into the Access course, so you are talking to someone from early in the course about what you are going to do next.   To tell the truth, I didn’t have a clue what to do, what kinds of jobs or courses to apply for, or what could I do next? But Ruth from the team worked with me to look at all my options and helped me identify a possible career path and that’s when I thought I might apply to do a degree in Environmental Health – it didn’t seem too far out of my comfort zone and I have plenty of experience from the food sector to  I take with me

I still can’t believe I am starting Ulster University in September to do a BSc in Environmental Health.   I am a bit scared, but the confidence I have gained, not only completing the Access course, but doing exceedingly well, is immense. You do a course to get qualifications, and hopefully a career, and come out the other end with an entirely different outlook in life. It’s truly amazing.

She concluded, “I wouldn’t have got through the Access Course without the help and support of my husband Lee, friends and family, all of whom gave me that kick up the backside and encouragement when I needed it most.  I have already recommended Restart and the Access course to so many people, including my sister Susan who is starting out on her own return to education journey this September. The one thing I’d say to anyone considering re-entering education is that, I didn’t think I could do it, being a mum and working full-time, but I completed it, it’s never too late.”

If something sounds familiar or you are feeling inspired to give it a go, why not come along to our no obligation Restart Education Drop-in Information Sessions:

Downpatrick Monday 21 September 10am-12pm

Ballynahinch Thursday 24 September 10am-12pm

Newcastle Friday 25 September 10:30am-12:30pm

Find our more about our Restart and Access Programmes.

Or if you would like to find out more about Little SERC Creche at our Newcastle Campus contact Fiona Neely at community@serc.ac.uk or call 028 9262 6757.


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