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Everyone who completes a course of study has a unique story to tell and South Essex Colleges Group wants to hear yours. Did you achieve your qualification under difficult circumstances? Have you gone on to a career that uses your qualification or did you follow a different pathway? What are you doing now?
English Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)
I’m 18 and from Sudan. I’m an ESOL student and I enjoy the lessons as well as college life. I didn’t speak much English when I joined. I’m going to carry on studying English, and I’ve made lots of friends.
I am really excited to win the award. The course is absolutely amazing, and the sense of community is wonderful. I now work at a nursery, and the course has 100% prepared me with all the skills I need for working in the sector.
I studied Level 1 Media. I really wanted to be creative and make short films. I really enjoyed the course, it was great fun. I’d tell other people to jump at the opportunity of doing this course.
I’m 18 and completed the T Level in Business. I loved the work experience aspect which meant learning the technical knowledge of management and then applying it at the Holiday Inn in Southend. Choosing a T Level instead of A levels means you get work experience and a newer qualification that employers really like.
I have really bad anxiety, and this course helped me overcome it. I’m not very academic, so the practical learning and hands‑on experience such as being on reception and opening beauty treatments to the public showed me a different side of learning that I loved. My favourite part of the course was massage; I loved body massage and learning all the new techniques. My greatest achievement is sticking to it and finishing the three years without giving up. I would definitely recommend the college.
I was nervous and shocked to win! I loved the friendships and the teachers, as well as the learning. There were so many things to enjoy. The course taught me a lot, and I’m moving to degree level next year.
I’m surprised and incredibly happy to win the award! A lot of it is down to the good tutoring. The college is a really good environment for meeting new people and has lots of support from everyone around you. I’m hoping to go into cybersecurity. My advice is to try and make IT your hobby too, it will really help you on your course.
I am very proud of myself and can’t believe I won and now have a job as an apprentice at Essex County Council!