Education, Community and Leisure students excel

03 October 2012

Sophie Owen, BSc (Hons) Nutrition, secured a job at Vitaflo International as a Product Development Technologist after attending LJMU's World of Work workshops.  She said:

"The World of Work Careers Centre really helped me with my interview techniques. It was great to be able to call in to the centre at any time and I really feel that the advice I was given about my CV helped get me the job."

As well as seeking help from the World of Work Careers Centre, Sophie said her tutors were also instrumental in helping her secure her role at Vitaflo "the tutors have been brilliant, they all helped me with my personal statement and gave me some great feedback and advice."

Hayley Curran, BA (Hons) Dance Studies, has worked at Litherland High School at the same time as doing her full-time degree course.

Hayley commented: "LJMU has supported me throughout the past three years and has allowed me to take amazing opportunities that will benefit me in the future. Studying at the University has been amazing as I have learnt so much throughout my journey. The tutors are always supportive and have encouraged me so I leave university feeling confident, eager and excited for the future.

"I worked at Litherland High School alongside my full-time degree programme, and sometimes it was difficult trying to manage my time. LJMU understands the importance of work experience to employers so they try to be as flexible as possible. If there is something you can do to increase your chances of getting a job after graduating, they will try to help you with it. I have just got a job as a teaching assistant starting in September so that will give me even more experience and next year I hope to do a PGCE in Performing Arts."

Claudia Sult, BA (Hons) Tourism and Leisure Management is an international student from Berlin.  She graduates today with a First. Using her knowledge of how tourism can make a lasting impact on people and local communities from her degree, she will be travelling to India this summer. 

"I was able to combine my passion for travel with a high quality degree.  The course really prepared me for my career - and for life and future travels - as it opened my eyes to things I had never thought about in relation to tourism. I have learnt a lot about responsible travel and what you can do to be a 'better' traveller. The industry has the power and potential to change the world for the better, and I definitely want to be part of that. LJMU has given me the skills, knowledge and confidence to go out there and do it."

Anna Hardman graduates with a First in BSc (Hons) Nutrition.  In addition to her academic experiences, Anna, who is from Sheffield, embraced the social opportunities in the city through joining the Liverpool Harriers and taking part in the Liverpool Half Marathon (where she was the seventh woman to finish the race). Anna has been working at a weight management company, MoreLife, following a work placement in her third year. She has been accepted to start an MSc in Dietetics in September.

"LJMU has such a fantastic environment and the facilities, particularly the Food Academy where  I did practical sessions, are outstanding. I loved being in a new city and the university is so supportive for when you're living away from home.  My course also allowed me to take academic knowledge to my running, which has really improved. The lecturers are always amazing, from the Open Day to the end of the degree. I would recommend LJMU to anyone."

Martin Turner BA (Hons) Coaching Development undertook a work placement at Everton Football Club during his degree, working with local schools and colleges.

"This University really allows you to experience the city. I moved from Bristol and straight away I knew LJMU was the right choice. My work placement meant I could enhance my professional development alongside gaining academic skills. The different teaching styles really work on the course and the one to one tutorial support was fantastic.”

Lauri Thompson, BA (Hons) Home Economics (Food Design and Technology), is winner of the Howdens Prize and an Academic Excellence Award.
32 year old Lauri said she never imagined she'd love her university experience so much.

"I came to university as a mature student just to become a teacher,  but I didn't expect to enjoy the social side of things so much.  I've really thrown myself into it and even had a hand in setting up the Food Society where I was Vice-President for its first year.  I really enjoyed it: we organised meals out, arranged for chefs to come to our kitchens to perform demos and set up a Veggie Bag Scheme for students."

Lauri, who is starting a PGCE at LJMU in September, added:

"I’ve been really happy with LJMU, I know the campus, know the place really well and feel really comfortable here. I was really surprised when I heard I'd won an award.  I’m over the moon and feel like all that hard work has really paid off."

Hannah Johnson graduates with First Class Honours in BSc (Hons) Community Nutrition. During her degree Hannah had a little a little girl, Niamh, now aged 19 months. She also juggled studying with working, first for Liverpool Community Health and then as a Dietetic Assistant for Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester.

Hannah first went to university straight after school and enrolled on a teaching course. She left after a month and then worked as a beauty therapist, before joining LJMU five years later.

"I really have found my niche -  I love patient care and I love food," she says. "It's been challenging at times but I wouldn't have changed it for the world. I know what I want to do now."

Hannah now hopes to qualify and work as a dietician, her dream job.

Stephanie Tempest BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies, received a First in her degree. She is now planning to complete a masters in Social Work at LJMU and then travel around the world, volunteering within different communities and making a difference in other people's lives.

Stephanie commented: "The placements have been the highlights of my time at LJMU. Being in the workplace with other practitioners has opened up my eyes to different ways of working with children. My long term goal is to be a social worker, working in deprived areas around the world. In particular I’d like to work with disabled children and adults. I’m currently working in a special educational needs school and will be starting my masters in September."

Sarah Bradley graduates with a Foundation Degree in Tourism, Leisure and Hospitality, which she studied at Liverpool Community College. Sarah now hopes to work in events management, ideally as a wedding planner, after she completes the full honours programme at LJMU.

 

 

 

 

LJMU Learning and Teaching Awards
The work of LJMU staff delivering not just best but excellent practice is recognised by the University through its annual Learning and Teaching Awards. At this ceremony, individual awards were presented to Dr Wendy Johnston and Dr Kaye Richards from the Faculty of Education, Community and Leisure.

The Vice Chancellor's Award for Best Programme/Support Team was also awarded to the Faculty's Sports Development Programme Team: Barbara Walsh, Julie Money, Sarah Nixon, Louise Williams, Simon Roberts, Danny Cullinane, Ceriann Magill, Cath Walker, Sally Starkey, Track Dinning, Ian Beattie, Milly Blundell, Gus Ryrie and Vicci Boyd.

Best in Class 2012
The following students are the winners of the 2012 Academic Excellence Awards for the highest award mark in each graduating cohort.

Natalie Brazier
Becky Clarke
Lauren Cumming
Anna Hardman
Gabriella Hill
Kerenza  Knowles
Mel McLean
Jessica Smith
Claudia Sult
Lauri Thompson
Samantha Threlfall
Martin Turner
Louise Warn
Richard Webb
Jenny Whitley

Liverpool Community College
Sarah Bradley

St Helens College
Sarah Bradley
Victoria Fulton

Some of the winners are pictured here