Nadia on track for career in social work

Following her GCSEs at Priory Integrated College, Nadia Hall from Dundonald progressed to the Level 2 Health and Social Care and then the Level 3 Diploma Health and Social Care at SERC’s Newtownards Campus.   The young woman is en route to higher education and her dream career in social work.

Nadia (19) says, “I knew that I didn’t want to take the A-Level route after my GCSEs, so I had been doing some research to see what options were open to me.   I wasn’t sure exactly what I was going to do, but I knew I wanted something in the health and social care sector.

“I found the course through SERC’s website and applied online. Although I hadn’t been to the College before, I knew of other people who had come to do different courses and were doing well."

“The tutors are all lovely, they are there to help you if you need help, and I feel I have worked much better in the college environment.   The course work on the Level 2 and Level 3 programmes suited my style of learning and, because I chose what I wanted to do, I feel I was more interested in what I was learning.

“It was challenging at times, and you do have to be organised and keep on top of the work - taking on board the guidance and advice from the tutors - so you are continually working towards your goals.

“In September, I am coming back to SERC for one more year to top up my qualification to the Level 3 Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care which is equivalent to 3 A-Levels, and I hope to go on to do a degree in social work at a local university."

Speaking about the transition from school to college Nadia says, “It is a big change from school, but I loved it. At the start of each year in the college, everyone is involved in the Enterprise Fortnight when you are given a real-life problem, and working in groups you have to find a solution.   It is a brilliant way to settle into your course and the college, and to get to know other people in your class really quickly as you are all working on the same issue.

“Our course also planned and organised food collections throughout Newtownards Campus to make up hampers, which we donated to the local foodbank at Christmas time.   It was a lovely part of a project that made us all feel part of the wider SERC community."

 Nadia concludes, “Everyone in the College wants you to do well, from the tutors to the learning resource centre staff to the careers team – they are all part of the bigger support network available to you when you come to SERC; looking out for you and helping you progress to where you want to be.”

Apply now for courses commencing September 2023.