Meet Vicky – one of our Go Further co-ordinators
Vicky co-ordinates the Uni Connect funded Go Further project based at East Sussex College working across the Lewes, Eastbourne and Hastings campuses. She puts in place a wide range of opportunities to support young people’s transition to further learning...
What does a typical day look like for you Vicky?
There isn’t one! I guess that’s one of the reasons I love my job. I work across three very different campuses and support students in such a wide range of ways. The support I offer changes through the academic year, by campus and by individual. Tailoring support so that it is meaningful to each student is challenging, but really rewarding.
What kinds of support are you offering most at the moment?
A lot of our second year students have started their UCAS applications so we’re running ‘why go to university?’ group sessions as well as Q&A sessions to help students get to grips with the financial implications of each pathway and the support options available.
I also love running personal statement surgeries at this time of year. It helps young people develop the strongest possible applications, but it also provides an opportunity to boost their confidence – to remind them of just how much they’ve achieved and how far they’ve come.
What do you find most rewarding about your job?
I’m lucky to have a unique position in the college that enables me to get to know and support students all the way through their time at the college from open days through to enrolment, exams and waving them off on their next step. You’re part of their journey and see the way they grow as people.
I also really enjoy working with vocational learners. So many of them start out thinking they’re not ‘university material’. Helping them turn around that perception, championing them and their qualifications and seeing some of the amazing opportunities they go on to pursue is exciting and a real privilege.
Which project is your favourite?
I love our Peer Coaches project. Our Peer Coaches are students who act as ambassadors and supporters within the college. They help out at Open evenings, talk to Year 11s about college life and offer study skills support for our current students. They each play an invaluable role in college life and in turn grow as people and gain fantastic employability skills.
What is the thing that most surprised you about your role?
Prior to this role I’d never been in an environment where everyone is so willing to share and work together. It’s truly collaborative and everyone’s focus is to help students progress to exciting futures. It helps makes my job so much more enjoyable and the work I can do so much more impactful.