NEWS ARCHIVE
Mum makes the cut for uni!
A Cornwall College St Austell student is a step closer to her dream career after being accepted to study BSc Nursing at Plymouth University next year, a far cry from her last profession. She has received the news at an apt time as next week marks Adult Learners' Week (12-17 May) celebrating the successes of mature students around the country.
Leanne Martin, 25, from Liskeard has two young children and is currently studying a Nursing, Health and Social Care Access to Higher Education Diploma course three days a week at the St Austell campus. Coming from a multi skilled background, Leanne has in the past had experience in performing arts and most recently in hairdressing.
Leanne explains about her change in career and how she had the confidence to try something new: “I completed my apprenticeship in hairdressing and continued with the salon for about five years, which was great for me as I was always good with hair and I really enjoyed it. When I had my second child I gave my career some thought and decided for me that there weren’t many prospects in Cornwall in the hairdressing industry unless you wanted to run your own company.”
After thinking long and hard about what careers she would enjoy and what would give her family stability for the future with jobs hard to come by in this economic climate, Leanne decided that she liked the idea of being a nurse; “When I was younger I had wanted to be a Doctor but my grades weren’t up to that standard so I just accepted that and moved on to something else. I realised that after starting in the hairdressing industry I liked socialising with customers so decided to expand on this.”
Before Leanne embarked on the one year Access course and made the huge decision to change her career, she was offered support and direction from a lady from an organisation called WILD Young Parents who helped her to get where she is today. WILD offers young parents’ access to peer support, and the opportunity to learn new skills and take part in voluntary work, peer education, issue-based group work, Skills for Life and accreditation courses.
Leanne continued: “I never thought I would go to university as in the past it was never an option for me. Studying on this Access course gives me a great opportunity, Plymouth University instantly recognises them and they prove that students are prepared and ready for higher education.”
With a lot to look forward to and her career as a nurse looking set to take off, Leanne has one message for anyone considering a change: “It’s been the best decision that I could have made for my career and my family. Don’t be worried about the unknown, embrace your dreams, there are so many people around to help you achieve your goal.”
