Life after being Mum!
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Two years ago Kushba Bagum was sat at home, children at school, husband at work thinking seriously about what on earth she was going to do for the rest of her life, “I suddenly felt that I had nothing to do, and was wondering if this was it? Was this my life?”
Seeing an ad in a local paper for adult learning at Tower Hamlets College was the first step, the second was calling the Advice Line but the biggest step of all was actually entering the College during Enrolment and signing up to a Level 2 course for the Certificate in Pre-School Practice. “I really didn’t think for one moment that they would accept me on the course, I hadn’t stepped inside a learning environment since leaving school at 16 and I had no confidence in myself or my ability to learn.”
Kushba‘s story is similar to many other Mums who have dedicated years to the upbringing of their children, only to find that once the children become more independent, they feel less so. Having the confidence to return to education with a view to a career can be very daunting, but the support, advice and courses aimed at getting +19’s back into work, or to improve their career prospects are bountiful.
Local Further Education Colleges provide many opportunities to get adults working or into university, and there are many reasons why people decide to return to college in their later years. Whether it’s a career change, a second chance to get the job they always wanted, or more recently, redundancy, local colleges are becoming the first port of call for many adult learners.
On successfully completing her Level 2 course, Kushba’s teacher progressed her immediately onto a Level 3 where she also secured a work placement at Old Ford Primary School. “The confidence that my teacher had in me gave me the confidence I needed, I finally started thinking that yes, I could do this.”
After completing her work placement, Kushba received the best news of all. Her supervisor not only gave here the highest marks possible for each module, she also offered her a permanent job, with the flexibility she needed in order to continue her studies at College.
“It was so unexpected, I really didn’t think I’d ever be a student again, let alone get a job and a future career. The excellent teaching and support that I have received has given me the foundation I need to continue studying, it’s been brilliant – every step of the way!”
Find out more about the Certificate in Pre-School Practice at Tower Hamlets College starting in January »