Why did you choose a Degree Apprenticeship?

I asked at work if I could try to get some qualifications that would help me to do my job, both for my own knowledge but also to make sure that I was giving the best service I could to our customers. A mental health worker had asked me what qualifications I had to enable me to help one of my customers and I said common sense, life skills and knowledge of local services to signpost people to.

This led to the seed being planted and here we are.

My manager sent me a few courses, BTEC’s and degrees. There was a choice of three degrees at Salford, Manchester Met and Open University. Manchester Met sounded the best plus I didn’t want to do it online and not meet my peers or tutors. 

Plus, I felt I would have more support attending university compared to doing it online and this was a thing that really worried me. I left school at 16. Went straight into work and apart from a few college courses I’ve never studied since. I’m 50 soon so this was a massive step, also I worried about being old compared to the others in my group.

No one I know was doing this so I would be by myself with no one to go to. 

All very nerve-wracking and all enough to put me off, but I told myself I would push myself before I was 50, meaning learn a new language or even to play the guitar, but here we are. I’m almost 50 doing my first year at university!

Looking back over your time (so far), how have you found the whole experience?

After being in the couple of little workgroups that we have had and being able to talk to others, I am settling in a lot better. I still feel overwhelmed but not enough to chuck the towel in now (which I wanted to do with my first assignment and then even more so with my second).

I have also helped support people who are on the course, so knowing that we all have our own issues made it a bit easier for me. 

Also knowing there were people there to talk to really helped. Most of the tutors have been really welcoming and easy to talk to and I have enjoyed the lessons. However, I do struggle with slides where someone talks over them. I’d prefer to do them as a group and discuss them as we have in most other modules.

How are you hoping a Degree Apprenticeship will support your career progression?

I am hoping that I will pass this degree and have a better knowledge to support my team at work by sharing what I have learnt but also to help me to give a better service to my customers.

This degree will also teach me what is available and what the Social Worker role actually entails. I’ve worked with a few Social Workers who do not get involved and do not get back to me. Knowing what they should do will be a great help and will help in my signposting customers to services.

I do not want to rule out becoming a Social Worker but for now, I’m happy to carry on with what my current job role entails.

What impact has your Degree Apprenticeship had in the organisation?

I am the first person at Trafford Housing Trust to have undertaken this Degree Apprenticeship so I’m not sure that there has been an impact yet, but hopefully once I finish the course and I get my degree there will be some changes that I can recommend and I can share what I have learnt.

Would you recommend a Degree Apprenticeship?

I would recommend it but would warn people that at first they might feel totally overwhelmed but to persevere with it as it all comes together and you get into the swing of it more.

I would also tell them to speak to others who have done it if they know of anyone, but definitely speak to your peers and don’t worry if it’s online, as it’s not all that bad after all.

Do you have any advice for future Degree Apprentices?

Read from the start of each module, try not to leave it and have to cram it in. Have a work and university life balance because at the beginning I was working, then doing my university work without moving from my computer and working until late.

Also, the main advice is don’t be too hard on yourself. Let yourself have a night off without feeling too bad and definitely make the most of the people you are grouped up with. You are all going through the same.