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We caught up with Lily a former learner who studied Media Production and is now working at Aardman Animations!

Who are you and what is your current job role?

My name is Lily, and I current work as an Assistant Animator at Aardman Animations. My job role includes testing and animating sequences, creating and preparing puppets and mouth sets.

Can you share a bit about your journey from Weston College to where you are today?

I did my BTEC in Media Production in 2011 at Weston college, as one of the modules focused on Stop Motion Animation which I had an interest in. I then stayed at Weston College to do the UAL Foundation Course in Art & Design so I could continue making stop-motion films and developing my skills. After that course finished, I wasn't 100% sure what I wanted to do next as I felt a bit burnt out, so took a 5-year gap out of education. When I felt I was ready and my heart was back in it, I went to University of the West of England to study Animation. In my third year, I got work experience at Aardman Animations and have continued working in the industry following my graduation. Some recent projects include Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl and series 2 & 3 of The Very Small Creatures.

Many young people feel pressured to have their entire career mapped out early on. Looking back, how did your own career path evolve over time?

I definitely felt a lot of pressure in that area, I knew I wanted to work in the creative industry but I started to feel a bit burnt out from education, so decided to take a break and gain real-world experience. I've worked in hospitality, I've worked in an office, I've picked up event jobs, fancy dress costume work on occasion, just a range of things that let me live and have fun without the pressure of having everything mapped out. It wasn't until I applied for another office job that I realised I didn't want to do that type of work anymore; it stopped bringing me joy, and I wanted to pursue working in the creative industry again. It felt like the right time to get back into it and pursue it for my own reasons.

Were there any pivotal moments or unexpected opportunities that shaped your career in ways you didn’t anticipate?

I think a big moment for my career path was when I realised, I didn't want to work in an office anymore. Although the job was for a creative company, I realised I missed being the one who created and crafted things. When I had that realisation and turned down that job, I knew I'd made the right decision and started looking into universities that did Animation courses. During my 3rd year when I was offered work experience on Chicken Run 2 with Aardman, it was my first time being in a proper working studio, and it completely blew my mind. The scale, the creativity, it suddenly clicked in me that this was somewhere I really wanted to be and a career I wanted to pursue.

How important has adaptability been in your career? Are there any specific examples you’d like to share?

Adaptability really is important. In my current job role as an assistant animator, I have to adapt to whatever is required of me on each project. That could be sculpting, animating, rigging or prop making, it all varies. My very first paid job in the industry, I had no experience in a studio or workshop environment, and was asked to do a lot of things I'd never done before. I just tried to be calm, listen and ask for advice if I wasn't sure. It took a while to build my confidence but eventually I started to trust my abilities more and wasn't as scared to ask people for help if I was unsure or had messed something up. 

The industry is also unpredictable. Even though I'm in my dream job, I sometimes have to jump back into office or hospitality roles. Because animation/film jobs are mainly contract or freelance, there have been times where I've not had constant work so I have to pick-up part-time jobs to fill the gaps. People who've been in the industry for 20+ years and are skilled experienced animators still often have to do this too, so always be prepared to adapt when you need to.

 What advice would you give to students who feel uncertain about their future career path?

Listen to yourself. If something doesn't feel quite right or you don't feel that you're ready, don't force it. Taking a step back or a little bit of time out isn't a bad thing, it helps give you some breathing space to really look at what it is you want to do, and what's going to make you happy. You'll know when you're ready, so don't force it.

In a world where industries and job roles are constantly evolving, how can young professionals stay open to new opportunities and remain agile in their careers?

Try not to pigeonhole yourself into one thing. When I applied for Aardman as a trainee assistant animator, they wanted to see evidence that I could animated, but also examples of sculpting and crafting too. I love being creative in a variety of ways so I had plenty to show them and the feedback was very positive. If you stick to just one specific thing, you're missing out on the chance to learn so much more that could actually benefit your area of interest. Talk to people, ask questions, show an interest and people will often respond in kind. It also helps broaden your job opportunities if you've got a varied skillset. It's a tough industry, so give yourself the best chance of standing out.

If you could go back and give your younger self one piece of career advice, what would it be?

I'd say to my younger self, stop worrying about what you think you 'should' be doing or what other people think you 'should' be doing, and trust your instincts. I'm glad I chose to take that gap in education. I gained a lot of useful life skills, had a lot of fun, made some brilliant friends and learned a lot about myself. I also regained my love for animation so I could pursue it on my own terms when I was ready. I was doing it just for me, no one else.

Is there anything else you’d like to add?

I'm grateful to my tutors at Weston College for helping me to pursue my love of stop-motion animation. They let me make an absolute mess of the studios to make my films, gave me advice on workshops and courses to look into and helped me when I was ready to finally apply for university. I never really thought I'd actually end up working in the industry, and although I went the long way about it, I'm so glad that I did it that way.

A big thank you to Lily for sharing her journey with us!

If you would like to study at Weston College, you can find out more about our courses, by clicking here.

Today, Somerset Chamber of Commerce hosted a Business Brunch at The Grove, located at our Knightstone Campus. The event provided a valuable opportunity for businesses from across Somerset to come together, connect, and network. The brunch included a compelling fireside chat between Pat Jones, Principal and CEO of Weston College Group, and David Crew, Managing Director of Somerset Chamber of Commerce. Together, they explored Pat’s career journey, leadership approaches, and her vision for the future of Weston College. Following the conversation, attendees were invited to engage directly by asking Pat questions, which led to insightful discussions.

Pat highlighted the important role that businesses play in shaping the futures of students and young people through opportunities such as T Level placements, apprenticeships, degree apprenticeships, and supported internships. Drawing on her own journey – as she began her own career through an apprenticeship - Pat shared how transformative such opportunities can be, offering life-changing personal and professional growth for both young people and adults.

The brunch itself was well prepared and served by our wonderful Level 1 Hospitality and Catering learners, earning praise from many attendees. Thank you to all of the learners who contributed - your hard work and professionalism helped make the Brunch a thoroughly enjoyable experience for everyone!

Welcome to the Weston College Careers & Employability Team Monthly Blog!

This month, we’re excited to welcome Carys to the team as our new UCAS and Higher Education Advisor. Here is a little more about our newest member of our team:

“My name is Carys and I'm the new UCAS and Higher Education Advisor. With several years of experience supporting young people in college settings, I’m here to help learners navigate every step of the university application process.

"Whether you’re uncertain about which course or university to choose, need assistance setting up your UCAS account and completing your application, want advice on crafting a strong personal statement, or simply feel a bit overwhelmed, I’m here for you. No question is too small —I'm here to support you throughout the entire journey.

We track your application progress every step of the way, so we can provide guidance even on results day! You can reach me on Teams or via our uni.help@weston.ac.uk email.”

We’d also like to send our best wishes to Sophie, who has now started her maternity leave. Sophie has worked at the college for several years now and built strong connections with her faculties especially the Health and Social Care T level supporting learners to source, prepare and gain the most of their placements. All the best, Sophie – we can’t wait to meet your little one!

Celebrating a Successful Partnership: Careers Excellence Hub and Noah's Ark Zoo Farm

Working with Noah's Ark Zoo Farm for our Careers Excellence Hub in Animal Management has been one of the most successful partnerships we have had. The collaboration has provided our students with invaluable insights into the zoo industry and the personal career journeys of the dedicated staff at Noah's Ark.

Noah's Ark staff have actively participated in career fairs and industry talks, sharing their expertise and experiences with our students. This engagement has not only inspired our students but also given them a realistic view of what it takes to work in the zoo industry.

One of the highlights of this partnership is the exclusive pipeline to Noah's Ark's work experience programme. This programme offers fantastic opportunities for both our T-Level and BTEC Animal Management students to work alongside experienced keepers. The programme is designed to support learners from the start, setting initial targets and providing mentorship to help them understand the work ethic and skills required in the industry.

A shining example of this partnership's success is T-Level student Magdalena, who has been on an industry placement with Noah's Ark since October 2024. Working alongside the birds and reptile keepers, Magdalena has achieved one of her targets by successfully flying Bella the Barn Owl. This accomplishment is a testament to her hard work and dedication.

Through her placement, Magdalena has not only learned about avian and reptile care and behaviour but has also gained vital employability skills such as teamwork, communication, professional behaviour, and problem-solving. These skills are essential for her future career in animal management and beyond.

We are incredibly proud of Magdalena and all our students who have benefited from this partnership. The collaboration with Noah's Ark Zoo Farm continues to be a cornerstone of our Careers Excellence Hub, providing our students with the knowledge, skills, and experiences they need to succeed in the animal management industry.

We look forward to continuing this successful partnership and seeing more of our students thrive in their careers, inspired by the dedicated professionals at Noah's Ark Zoo Farm.

A huge well done to our T Level Business and Digital learners, who have successfully completed their bootcamp placement in preparation for their main summer placement with Lloyds Bank.

They’ve settled in brilliantly, representing the college with professionalism and enthusiasm. During the bootcamp, they met their new teams, took part in team-building activities, and began adjusting to the workplace environment.

Wishing them the best of luck for the summer ahead!

Team Success

Congratulations to Careers and Employability team members Sarah, Sophie, and Emma on successfully completing their Level 6 Careers Guidance qualification!

• UCAS Hub Opens for learners to begin completing their applications - Tuesday 13th May 2025 (For learners who will be starting University in September 2026)  
• University Centre Weston Open Day - Saturday 7th June 2025 
• Summer Show - 7th June 2025
• UCAS Offer Deadline - Thursday 5th June 2025 (Learners must respond to their offers from universities or it will be automatically deleted).  
• UCAS Extra Closes - Thursday 4th July 2025 
• UCAS Clearing Opens - Friday 5th July 2025 
• A Level and T Level Results Day - Thursday 14th August 2025 
• UCAS applications are open and learners can submit - Tuesday 2nd September 2025 (For learners who will be starting University in September 2026)