Emily’s Story

Name: Emily

Subjects studied: Business Studies, Economics and English Language

What’s Next?: A career in recruitment or account management

My Story

After achieving fantastic GCSE results at Penrice Academy, including top grades in English, Science and Photography, Emily chose to continue her education at Truro College. She studied Business Studies, Economics and English Language, leaving in 2022 with an impressive A* in Business as well as Bs in Economics and English Language.

Emily explained that choosing Truro College was an easy decision: “I’d heard so many positive things about the teaching and support available, from friends and family who had studied here. It also offered the exact courses I was interested in, without me needing to travel far from home. I liked the idea of being somewhere with a friendly, community feel but still having access to great facilities and opportunities.”

One of the highlights of her time at College was the teaching: “I enjoyed how supportive and approachable the lecturers were. They didn’t just teach the subject, they really cared about helping you understand it and encouraging you to push yourself,” she said. Emily had originally planned to study English Literature but switched to Business Studies in her first week – a decision she doesn’t regret. “Thank goodness I did because I enjoyed the subject so much more, and the transition process was seamless.” Alongside her studies, Emily made lasting friendships, many of which she still maintains today.

After leaving College, Emily went on to study Business Management and Marketing at Cardiff University. She describes her time there as life-changing: “Going to university was the best decision I have ever made, exploring so many new opportunities and seeing the world.” Since graduating, she has gained valuable experience working in hospitality, retail, and now in a debt collections agency. Each role has helped her grow in confidence and develop transferable skills such as resilience and communication – foundations she says were first laid during her time at Truro College.

Looking ahead, Emily is keen to pursue a career in recruitment or account management. “My goal and next steps are to work in a role where I can combine building relationships with achieving clear performance targets. I’m motivated by roles where hard work directly translates into results, and I want to keep progressing into positions with more responsibility and leadership opportunities.”

Reflecting on the skills she gained at College, Emily emphasised the importance of organisation, resilience and communication. “During my A Levels you couldn’t just give up when you didn’t understand something or when you were under a lot of pressure – that translates into the real world. I also learned the importance of being prepared and organised, which has been essential in busy, fast-paced jobs.”

She also praised the support systems in place at Truro College: “The staff care about you as a person, not just your grades, and there’s a real sense of community. You’re encouraged to aim high, but you’re also given the support you need to get there. I wouldn’t have wanted my time there to go any differently (apart from Covid), but even through the pandemic, the online resources available were exceptional and I was engaged throughout the whole of the remote learning periods.”

For current and future students, Emily’s advice is simple: “Don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone, whether that’s speaking up in class, trying a new subject, or getting involved in extracurricular activities. Going to university and moving away from home is scary but you will not regret it. Taking part in the Cardiff Business School Netball Society opened so many avenues, between new friends and just having fun while studying. The more you put yourself out there, the more you’ll get from your time there. Also, talk to your tutors if you’re struggling – they really do want to help.”