“It was so competitive and had 17,000 applicants with only 220 places nationwide and only 20 of those available in the North East”, she said.
Beth, who has had to juggle work and studying with a young family, says she was attracted to the University of Sunderland because it provided a flexible way to study whilst also still being able to work full-time.
She added: “It was also close to home.”
Asked about who or what at the University of Sunderland influenced her most, Beth replied: “It was a lecturer named Peter Coleman. At one point I had some bad news regarding a family member and I also found out I was pregnant before my course was due to start so I wanted to delay the course as I was worried I wouldn’t be able to keep up after giving birth in the January but he took the time to sit with me and discuss my options and give me advice, he encouraged me and supported me to keep going and I’m so glad I did!!!”
Beth’s advice to recent graduates entering the job market is: “Apply for the graduate schemes, including the top schemes which are the most competitive, they may seem the most daunting, but it is possible to secure a place, I had no confidence due to the competition that I would be successful, but I was.”
Beth’s plans are to complete her two-year scheme and apply for a full-time management role in the NHS and to keep learning!
She concluded: “I will always keep studying and adding to my qualifications as I believe they are really important in helping to secure the best jobs available out there.”