Julie Smiles, part-time BA (Hons) Social Work
Enrolling at the University of Sunderland turned out to be a life-changing experience in more ways than one for mum-of-three Julie Smiles.
For soon after deciding to take the plunge and signing up to study a degree in Social Work at Sunderland at the age of 38, Julie had to deal with the breakdown of the relationship with her partner and the surprise news that her 17-year-old daughter was pregnant.
Julie admits: "It did feel like I was leaping into the deep end, particularly with all that was happening in my personal life, but I decided to just go for it.
"And although there were times at the start when I wondered if I'd bitten off more than I could chew, the support I was given from the university was excellent and kept me going.
"Four years later I graduated with a degree, which has led me to be able to do the job I am now doing."
Julie, a social worker on the safeguarding and care planning team at Gateshead Social Services, had worked for a number of years as an unqualified social worker, mainly working with the elderly, before deciding to do a degree.
She said: "I looked at both Sunderland and Northumbria, but opted for Sunderland as they offered the option of doing the first year part-time and I was impressed by the flexibility of the course.
"I did my degree over four years - the first year was part-time and then full-time after that. It was tough at times - physically and financially as I had to work throughout - often at weekends in-between studying.
"But there was a lot of support there as and when you needed it, from both my tutors and peers, which was great and very soon I really started to feel my self-confidence grow."
After leaving, Julie decided she wanted to work in children's services and after a placement with Gateshead City Council, she was offered a job working with children and families in her current role.
Julie added: "I would really recommend going back to higher education to anyone, no matter what age you are and I haven't ruled out doing more. It's been a life-changing experience for me in all the right ways."
