Returning to education at SERC helped Megan find her passion for social work

Starting university can be challenging. But what happens if you suddenly realise the course you have signed up for is not for you? Megan Ormsby is getting ready to complete a degree in social work at Ulster University, but the path to her dream career wasn’t straightforward.

Megan Ormsby 29, from Donaghadee said, “I did my A Levels and went to university in England to study sports development when I was 18, but I soon realised this was not the career I wanted to pursue so I made the difficult decision to leave the course and come home. After that, I took up a post in community care and soon realised that this was the career path I wanted to follow. 

“After completing a work-based qualification in health and social care I decided to return to studying part- time at South Eastern Regional College’s (SERC) Newtownards Campus where I completed an HNC Level 4 in Health and Social Care. I had no desire to return to university however, academic success on the course coupled with encouragement from my tutors made me determined to strive for more for myself.

“I had fantastic support from the lecturers when applying for university from discussing all the options through to mock interviews which helped secure both offers and a place on the social work degree programme.” 

Megan recently represented social work students at a conference examining the impact of service user and carer involvement in social work education. “If you told me two years ago, I would have been delivering a testimonial to a room full of professionals, service users and carers, I wouldn’t have believed you, but here I am doing exactly that. I’ve found my passion and know my future career in social work will have a strong foundation built on improving the lives of others through my professional and personal values.

She concluded, “I am indebted to the staff at SERC for helping me realise my potential and encouraging me to make a fresh start and follow my heart.”

South Eastern Regional College are hosting part-time open evenings, 4.00pm – 8.00pm on Wednesday 5 June at Bangor, Downpatrick, Lisburn and Newtownards Campuses. Enrol now and transform your future with a part-time course www.serc.ac.uk #BetterOffAtSERC