Stepping away from my career for a few years gave me a chance to revaluate what I wanted to do once my academic studies were over. I had fallen out of love with working in an accounts office but it wasn’t realistic to pursue a career in dress history as this is a heavily oversubscribed field with far more experts than there are learners!
In my accounts work I had always enjoyed teaching and mentoring trainees more than the actual day to day work and the idea of re-training was formed. I came across Talent to Teach in FE on the University careers website and the programme seemed perfect to give me a taster, so I immediately signed up.
I have many years’ experience working in accountants and I’m really looking forward to passing this on to finance professionals of the future. I’m excited to be at the beginning part of their career path and see them progress through the qualifications.
I was given an excellent placement at a local college with a very full programme to give me a chance to observe lessons in different age groups and finance subjects. By day two, I knew this was what I wanted to do for the rest of my career. When I came to be interviewed for a place on a PGCE in FE the fact that I had taken this opportunity and participated in the programme impressed the interviewers no end!
Completing the reflective journal each day helped me to really focus on what a future career as a teacher might look like for me. The staff at the college were very open and encouraging with advice and insights into their own routes into teaching.
Teach in FE! I have signed up at the University of Brighton and begin a PGCE in FE in September 2020. Part of the course includes a placement with a local college and my long term ambition is to teach AAT Accountancy to adult learners.
Further details about the Talent to Teach in FE programme can be accessed on its web page.