Why did you decide to study at Newcastle College?
I wanted to move away from Whitby which is where I lived and I felt Newcastle wasn’t too far but was far enough. I hadn’t made a final decision on what I wanted to study or even where I wanted to study but when I come to an open day Paul Price totally swayed my decision. He sold the course to me and reassured me that I would receive excellent learning and support. I loved the fact my course was situated at the Sandyford Campus!
Did you have the opportunity to go on a work placement as part of your course?
I had the opportunity to do two work placements whilst on my course, one was at Parkdean in Scotland which was a paid 3 month placement, this actually turned in to a job for me; upon returning I was asked to work in the Parkdean Head Office in Newcastle! I also had a work placement at Newcastle Gateshead Initiative, which I actually used as my case study for my dissertation!
Did you gain any skills as a result of your work placements?
Both work placements brought out the confidence in me, it taught me that I prefer a customer facing role as both placements incorporated many different roles giving good scope of the business as a whole. They both helped with my interpersonal skill and I also believe my work placements contributed to me graduating with a First Class degree as I wasn’t achieving particularly high before I embarked on my placements.
What are the staff like at Newcastle College?
Really nice and so approachable! I know I wouldn’t have received this amount of support had I went to University instead of College!
What was the highlight of your course?
I loved the course and the staff that taught on it but for me it was living away from home in Newcastle. I just loved being in Newcastle really, it’s such a great city!
What do you think of Newcastle as a student city?
It’s great, so lively. It is daunting at first moving away from home but I settled in really quick and loved it so much I have returned for full-time employment.
Now that you are employed, what does your role entail?
I work for Premier Inn and I work front of house and on the reception desk. I am hoping to be put on to the training programme to become a duty manager within the next few months. I love it, staying in Newcastle was really important to me as I love the city. I am thinking of applying for the Premier Inn graduate scheme next year.
Would you recommend Newcastle College to anyone considering studying here?
Absolutely! I was unsure of what I wanted to do and didn’t have a lot of direction but visiting the College helped make up my mind! You get so much more support here and it really brought the confidence out in me! I wish I could do it all over again!