First class students set out to inspire others

Press release issued: 21 November 2008

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Carrie graduates with flying colours

Carrie Munroe joined Anglia Ruskin University after she realised that the course she was on at another university was not the right course for her. She decided that she wanted to study psychology as she had really enjoyed it at A Level so she came to Anglia Ruskin University where the right course was available and was immediately 'hooked' on the subject .

Now three years on, she has graduated from the University, not only with a first class BSc (Hons) Psychology degree but also with the British Psychological Society undergraduate prize, both awarded at the same ceremony.

As Carrie, from Cambridge, explains, she started the degree with great enthusiasm:

"I was highly motivated from the start as I was so pleased to find a subject that I found interesting and could connect with. I got mostly 2:1's in my first year and then got a few firsts in my second year. I worked very hard on my coursework and exams, but had no idea whether I could get a first or not overall. Being the first person from my family to attend university, I didn't really have an idea of what grade to expect."

In her third year, Carrie worked really hard to make sure she continued getting firsts and started to believe that she might be capable of getting a first overall. It was her sheer drive that made her a top student.

She continues:

"I tried to go beyond the lecture material and the recommended reading to make links to other areas such as philosophy and found this really interesting. I just felt very passionate about the subject and in particular my dissertation subject. I really enjoyed the independence of conducting research and writing up such a large piece of work. "

Towards the end of her degree, Carrie started working with children with autism and developed an interest in educational psychology. Now she is working as a teaching assistant with a child with special educational needs.

It is her hope to work within educational psychology in the future.

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Karen is first class at looking after pupils who need extra help

A student is celebrating gaining a first class degree from Anglia Ruskin University and finding her vocation as a result of her studies.

Karen Tyers, from Somersham, left school with 3 A Levels but felt that it was not the right time for her to go to university as she was undecided about the direction I wanted to take in life.

In the years that followed she worked in various administrative roles and it was while she was working for the NHS her path crossed with one of the Directors.

Like Karen, she had been a single mother with a young son and had returned to university to study. Looking back at the time, Karen explains:

"This sparked a realisation in me that it would be possible for me to do the same, and within a month I had sent my application to Anglia Ruskin University to study for a degree course in Criminology and Sociology."

Karen was accepted for a place and during the three year course she studied hard, determined to make the most of the opportunity of furthering her career.

While she studied, she worked as a volunteer for the Huntingdon Probation Service, providing support for a literacy class.

She continued:

"This opened my eyes to the experiences some young people have of the justice and education system together with economic deprivation."

Now, having graduated, she is working in a Pupil Referral Unit, in March, called Fenland Junction which provides education for 14-16 year olds who, for varied reasons, have had difficulties at mainstream school.

"The opportunity of working with these students, providing them with inclusive education and emotional support, with the ultimate aim of improving their life chances, is immensely fulfilling.

"It was the degree that ignited this passion and I am now, for the first time in my working life, in a job which I know is right for me."

As far as the future is concerned, Karen is keen to continue her education. She is now considering studying psychotherapy to further enhance her knowledge.

Her degree study was made possible with the help of government funding, without which, she concedes, that she would not have applied to undertake the degree.

She had other financial help, from family including that provided by her 'Granddaddy' who, with his late wife, set up an education fund for his grandchildren. And she acknowledges the 'invaluable' help of others who have been there for her while she studied, namely her son Rufus, boyfriend Reuan, and her parents.

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Computer genius Barny graduates with teaching aim

Anglia Ruskin University student Barny Shergold has graduated from Anglia Ruskin University with a first class BSc (Hons) degree in Computer Science and Internet Technology, an industry prize and the aim to move from a career in business into a life dedicated to teaching.

The 40 year-old, from Ashwell near Baldock, has always been driven in business, working on the development of data bases and computer systems for a number of companies before ultimately becoming a director of a large Internet Service Provider. He was fortunate to become financially secure after the owner of the business he worked for sold the company to a larger group to facilitate taking the business to a new level, and rewarded the directors for their hard work and loyalty.

He had worked in IT from the age of 18, was self-taught and worked 'extremely hard' throughout his business life.

When he reached this change-point in his career, he decided he wanted to fulfil a long held wish to become a teacher and found that he would have to formalise his knowledge by getting a degree before training as a teacher.

He began a full time degree course in 2005, encouraged by his wife and six-year old son, and was determined from the very start of the course to gain a first.

Barny explains:

"I was privately educated but I didn't enjoy education. I was just not interested which is why I subsequently focused exclusively on work and worked very hard to achieve my business goals.

"Now having witnessed the way education has changed, it is my aim to become a teacher, helping to engage others and encourage them to make the most of the educational opportunities available to them.

"I made many friends at Anglia Ruskin University and had no problem with coping with the age difference between myself and many of my fellow students despite being twice the age of most of my classmates.

"I would recommend higher education study to anyone of any age. It really is never too late to learn a new or familiar subject and you will find through the learning process that you change as a person, becoming much more focused on what is really important to you. I have am looking forward to becoming a fully qualified teacher, helping others and achieving what I feel is the ideal work/life balance for me."

During his third year of study, Barny won the British Computer Society (East Anglia Branch) prize for being the 'Best Year Two Student'. He will collect this prize at the same time as he collects his degree award.

Barny is currently undertaking a Graduate Teacher Programme at Denbigh School in Milton Keynes and at the University of Bedfordshire. When he completes his training he plans to go on to take a Masters Degree in Education.