Natasha – FdA Childhood Education

Course: FdA Childhood Education

My Story:

Upon completing her A Levels at Truro College, Natasha Richards started an Apprenticeship at a nursery in Mount Hawke. Discovering a natural passion for looking after people, being creative and planning sessions, she was promoted to Deputy Manager. Following a seven month hiatus spent travelling, Natasha returned to manage a branch of a nursery in Penryn. It was here that she was urged to apply for a University Course when she noticed that, despite her strong work ethic, there was a pay gap based on education status.

Natasha said: “I worked really hard for a year until I realised that everyone I was working with was earning a lot more money than me because they had degrees. From then I knew that I wanted to go back into education and get a degree of my own.”

As six years had passed since Natasha completed her A Levels, she was both nervous and excited about her return to study. She has now found that her life experience has given her the motivation to succeed: “If I had done this course straight after my A Levels, I probably wouldn’t have done as well, particularly because I had no idea what I wanted to do for a career!”

“My message to everybody is that it’s not too late to do it. A degree really opens up your career prospects. If you’re a bit lost then you should go back into education.”