Course Studied: Access to Science and Technology Diploma
From: Helston
Mary originally trained to be a nursery nurse but after having her 3 children and developing a keen interest in forensic biology she decided that she was ready for a bigger challenge. She is now well on her way to becoming a Pathologist’s Technician.
“When my brother died in a motorcycle accident 3 years ago it was a really difficult time for the family. We wanted to know more about how the accident happened and I remember being fascinated by the way the coroner discovered the details from the injuries sustained and the marks on the road.”
Mary, 25 from Helston started the Access to Science and Technology Diploma at Cornwall College Camborne in September 2008 and discovered she was pregnant with Verity two weeks later.
Her tutor, Geoff Garbett says, “We have had students before Mary who have fallen pregnant whilst on the Access course but due to the challenges of studying and looking after a small baby, Mary is the first student to complete the course under these circumstances. She is an exceptionally organised and determined woman.”
“Whilst I was heavily pregnant the programme was flexible enough to enable me to work from home which was difficult at times. I’ve been lucky; two very good children and organisation have made it possible. I was also able to use the crèche on the Camborne campus and they were fantastic. It was so handy having Sophie, my other daughter, on site so I only had to go to a single location in the morning and the crèche were always flexible with drop off and pick up times.”
Mary plans to take two years out until Verity is a little older and then study Forensic Biology at Glamorgan University.