Christy Griffin took the opportunity to return to education after 30 years and quickly found employment after the BA in Applied Social Studies in Social Care
What made you decide to apply to WIT as a mature student
I was made redundant from my previous employment.
Details of work/studies prior to studying at WIT
Level 5 nursing studies and 10 years with Bulmers.
Can you recall your feeling when finding out you were offered a place in WIT
I was so delighted, I finally was going to get the education that I did not get when I was younger.
Had you any feelings of doubt about attending college? Tell us how you overcame them.
I suppose the biggest fear was how the other students would take me , I was 49 at the time. The academic side was also a worry, it had been over thirty years since I was in a classroom setting.
Are you happy with your decision to come back to college?
Delighted, WIT was all I hoped for and then some. We had a great mix of young and old in the class and all the lecturers were very helpful and very approachable.
What advice would you give to students considering your course?
Go for it, make sure it's the right course for you going forward. Don't let age be an obstacle, I got a level 7 degree with distinction after being away from education for over thirty years.
When and where was your first job after graduating?
One month after graduation I began working as a Social Care worker for Daffodil Care Services, mainstream residential care services for teenagers. with behavioural difficulties.
Where are you currently working? What position do you currently hold?
Social Care Worker, Daffodil Care Services.
What do you hope to hope to achieve in the future?
would like to work in homeless services
How has your studies at WIT helped you to get where you are today?
Could not have worked in Social Care without the degree, WIT helped me achieve my goal.
Did your work placement / internship or contact with the Careers Centre help get you to where you are now?
Yes, it gave me a good insight into residential care which prepared me well for job interviews.
Why did you choose your course/ to study at WIT/ study in Waterford?
The Social Studies course in WIT is well known and respected country wide.
What advice would you give to students considering your course?
Have a good idea of where you want to go with your future career.
What advice would you give to those unsure of college or of what course to pick
Talk to someone who has gone through the college system. Attend open days. Don't over think the what ifs? Go for it.
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