Student Profiles

Samantha James is a 26 year old who has recently completed a Foundation Degree in Childhood studies at Merthyr Tydfil College.

After finishing school, she felt that her options were limited to working, or going into University. She didn?t feel that she was ready for university, or that it was the right choice for her at the time, so she began working. After some time, she began to feel that the best way to progress at work would be to further her education, but she felt that it was too late and that her chance had passed her by. She also felt that if she were to go into education, it would need to be flexible and to fit in around her work and lifestyle.

When she discovered that there were courses available locally with the flexibility and support she needed, she enrolled on the Foundation Degree. She was impressed by the friendly and informative tutors. She felt that they were laid back and helpful. While studying, she volunteered at a pre-school in order to gain as much knowledge and experience as she could.

Upon finishing her Foundation Degree she had the option, like others on her course, to do a third year of study to top-up and gain her full degree, but she was accepted onto a child nursing course and is extremely proud with what she has achieved, and now feels satisfied that she is on the right career path.

Kevin King aged 47 has attained a Foundation Degree in Care Studies from the University of Glamorgan after studying at Merthyr Tydfil College.

Having worked in many jobs over the years, Kevin recognised that the care sector was a booming industry, and decided that he would like to become more involved in order to try and give something back to the community, whilst achieving for himself. He decided to return to study and found that he could do it locally at a centre for learning which had excellent facilities. Kevin was delighted at the convenience of not having to travel to study.

He says that he would recommend it to anyone. He feels that as a mature student he has benefited from the whole experience and can now use his knowledge to help others.

Kevin is going on to undertake a Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools and hopes to continue bettering himself and giving back to the community in the future.

Alison Woods from Merthyr Tydfil is in her 30?s. She studied a Foundation Degree in Care Studies at Merthyr Tydfil College.

Alison wanted to work in the mental health sector and had previously worked supporting people with assisted living and has undertaken voluntarily work within the same sector.

She has decided that she would like to pursue a career in social work and is returning to college to study law and NVQ level 3 Children?s Care Learning & Development in order to gain more experience in working with children.

Alison says that one of the best things about studying at Merthyr Tydfil College is that it is local to her so she can fit her study around her family life.

The support from tutors and staff has really helped her to feel more prepared for further study, and she says that the facilities at the college, such as the learning zone and library are excellent. Alison says that she never would have thought that she could do what she has done ten years ago, but that she is now confident in her ability to pursue the career of her choice.

Tracy Davies is a single mother of three children and is in her 30?s. She studied a Foundation Degree in Care Studies at Merthyr Tydfil College.

Tracy felt that she wanted to do something for herself in order to progress in her career. She works part time as a carer for the NHS while she studies, and is fortunate that her employer has been very supportive.

Attendance at college was one day a week and Tracy found the flexibility of the course to be beneficial. She loves that fact that she can study locally and feels that she is setting a good example to her children who can see her hard work. She also feels that the experience of having a family will be beneficial to her eventual career.

Tracy is going on to complete a maths course and is hoping to apply for university so she can achieve her ambition to become a social worker.

Nicola is 23 years old and currently lives at home with her mum in Ebbw Vale. Nicola left school at 16 and went on to complete a Health and Social Care course as well as a Childhood and Education course at Merthyr Tydfil College. For the next few years she had a variety of jobs, including briefly working in a nursery.

Nicola is currently in her final year of the Foundation Degree in Childhood Studies at Coleg Gwent, Ebbw Vale. As well as undertaking this course, she is also working part-time as a Maternity Support worker at Nevill Hall Hospital in Abergavenny. Nicola has found that the convenience of studying locally and being able to live at home has been the best option for her. At the end of this course she hopes to continue her studies locally by enrolling on a top up year in order to gain a degree. Nicola has always wanted to work with children and hopes one day to be able to open her own nursery with her sister.