SERC Helps Access to University for Karl

We love it when past students get in touch out-of-the-blue and tell us how they are getting on. So we were delighted when Karl Chadwick dropped us a line to share his success and thank lecturing staff - some of whom have since moved on - for their encouragement.

Karl (49) came to the Newtownards Campus, pre-merger (around 2005 when SERC was formed) and did a Certificate in Humanities (now the Access Level 3 Diploma in Foundation Studies).

He said “I came to college to further my education and get the chance to go to university. I look back fondly at my days at ‘Ards Tech’ - the tutors inspired me and were very patient, and I just wanted to let them know they were a big influence in my life.” 

Karl was full of praise for former lecturer John Kerr, and said “I was dyslexic and didn't know it until I was 36. I had deep anxiety and couldn’t understand why I couldn't read at times, which caused me to skip class. After diagnosis, I learned how to study and went on to get a BSc (Hons) in Business, and in September 2022, gained an MSc in Environmental Management. John was a big influence in my life, and I just wanted to share the impact it had on me as just one of, no doubt, thousands of students who come through further education.”

Karl, who now lives in Witney, Oxfordshire, said “I am currently a project manager working in environmental infrastructure management at Oxfordshire County Council. I have no doubt the self-awareness and social consciousness taught through the sociology and history at college led me to my current role.”

He concluded: “The charity sector is an exciting sector to be working in and you can certainly align your interests to where you want to work – mine happen to be with environmentalism.   My advice to anyone wishing to work in the sector is to be passionate and do it for a reason, not for the money.”