Turning Negatives into Positives Leads Kaitlin on New Career Path

Whilst the aftermath of the pandemic continues to creep into our lives, one young woman is focussing on the positives. Having found herself unemployed for the first time in her life, Kaitlin Maughan decided it was time to rethink her career.

Kaitlin (28) from Belfast said, “After my GCSEs, I did my A Levels and had plans to go on and do nursing.  I didn’t quite get the grades I needed, so I ended up going out to work. For 10 years I was employed through an agency as a financial advisor and worked in a number of local banks.   When the pandemic struck, my role was made redundant and for the first time since leaving school, I was unemployed."

She continued, “I was terribly depressed - being unemployed was a bit of a shock to me - but I knew I had to do something.   I kept thinking back to what I was good at when I was at school and what I had wanted to do, and although I was interested in nursing, I was also interested in teaching.    After a bit of research, I found the QUB Foundation Degree in Early Childhood Studies on offer at SERC and realised that this could take me on the route to where I wanted to be.  I complete the course this June and will progress on to the BA (Hons) in Early Childhood Studies at QUB and from there I will hopefully go on and complete my PGCE - that’s the plan.”

Speaking about returning to education, Kaitlin said, “I was familiar with SERC, as I came to the College through St Colm’s when I was doing my A Levels, so I wasn’t too nervous about coming back, even if I was the eldest in the class. You meet people of all ages at the College and it doesn’t take long to settle in.   I even took on the role of class rep which helped me get to know everyone."

“I found the tutors on my course amazing, encouraging and supportive.   I have learnt so much over the past 2 years about childhood development.   I have especially loved being on placement and assisting with teaching the children.   We get to work with children from birth to aged 8, and it is lovely to see children grow, develop and interact as well as identify what skills and knowledge someone working in the early childhood field needs at their disposal every day. The course has been enjoyable and knowing where it can lead me is fantastic."

“The pathways on the QUB Foundation Degree Early Childhood Studies can take you in so many different directions and careers so I would recommend it if you were interested in this sector.  I would encourage anyone to jump at the opportunity to study at SERC - find out what is on offer at the different levels and where it can take you. She concluded, “It was the aftermath and fallout from the pandemic that led me back into education, so I am turning that huge negative into a positive for my future.”  

The QUB Foundation Degree in Early Childhood Studies is offered full time at SERC’s Lisburn Campus (apply through UCAS) and part time through the College’s Newtownards Campus (apply through SERC).  

Find out how you can unlock your future with SERC. Come along to our Open Evening for Full Time students from 4.00pm – 7.00pm on Wednesday 8 March 2023 at the College’s Bangor, Downpatrick, Lisburn and Newtownards Campuses.