We spoke with Carley-Jayne, a winner at our Celebration of Success Awards who is currently studying Counselling at University Centre Weston, after completing counselling courses at Weston College!

Why did you initially decide to enrol on a Counselling course?

When I was 16 and starting college, I wasn't sure what career path I wanted to explore or even where I wanted to be in 10 year's time. In between having children, getting married and supporting my husband work his way up to management, I didn't have much time to think about my career path. My husband came to me one day and said "I'm at a good place, now it's your turn, what do you want?", I told him that my dream is to become a counsellor and help others, which is something I have wanted for over 10 years but never thought it would be possible. I had kids, I didn't have time, I worried about money and the workload, but my husband encouraged me to think about it. I started looking into the course, knowing it would always be at Weston College because of how local it is, and I decided to just go for it, and so I enrolled.

What did the course entail?

The course was an introductory course into counselling, covering the history, the theories and practising our counselling skills. We focused mostly on person-centered counselling, the core conditions, and active listening. Barry in Level 1 was a fantastic tutor that increased my passion for counselling.

Where has your academic journey taken you since then?

I then progressed on to Level 2 and level 3 counselling courses, which are very similar, however Level 3 is more detailed. Mel (my tutor) prepared me in becoming degree ready as much as possible, assignments and presentations made the transition from college to university easier. My academic writing improved leaving me with basic knowledge around citations and referencing. However, the degree is a lot more intense, and it does feel like you're starting all over again. As I approach the end of my first year of the degree, it does get easier the more you practise.

What skills have you learned during your time studying counselling?

I have learned a tremendous number of skills during my time studying, which is not only useful in counselling, but in everyday life. The course is not just academic writing or reading, a lot of what we learn in class can't be found in a book. Being in class with a trained counsellor and among other like-minded individuals who all share the same goal, is a valuable and supportive experience. If you think, like I did, that you're going to learn how to simply help others and listen well, that's absolutely not the case. I learned so much about myself over the last 3 years, and I continue to learn more every day. The course has been truly life changing and I'm so grateful I enrolled and began this journey.

How do you think your time studying will help your career?

My skills and qualifications are really important to me, I have always been a good listener and have always been trusting and confidential, people often came to me for support even before college. However, this course has enhanced my skills and improved my knowledge around psychology. I am currently in placement and seeing clients, without this course or the skills I have obtained and continue to gain on university, I wouldn't have the confidence or feel as competent as I do. These skills and qualifications are not just for a wall display, they are to protect me and my clients, making sure I am always working safely and ethically.

What support have you received during your time at Weston College?

Mel was a huge support during my level 3, I went through a particularly difficult time for half of the course and found some days difficult. Nothing was too much for Mel, this wasn't just a job for her, she really cares for her students and would always check in and make sure we were ok. I had many conversations with Mel, and just by listening and being understanding, I felt truly supported during my education.

Have there been any standout moments during your time studying?

I couldn't possibly pick a singular moment that stands out during my time at Weston College, the entire course as a whole was life changing for me. Level 3 with Mel really did encourage my passion for counselling, I was excited and ready for uni and knew this was exactly what I wanted to do and who I wanted to become. At the end of each term we would always do an activity which was planned by the tutors, and on the last day, we made scrolls and wrote our goodbyes on each of them for everyone to keep. Mel collected them up and handed them out individually issuing her own goodbye, I will never forget those moments, she helped me feel accomplished and proud of myself for our achievements and hard work. So Mel, if you're reading this, thank you for everything, you have been a huge part of my education that I will never forget. Another stand out moment would be my final Triad in Level 3 where Tash observed me. I recieved such lovely feedback and felt such a huge amount of pride when she said I was degree ready. A huge compliment!

Congratulations on your win at COS! How did it feel to win Counselling Student of the Year?

Thank you so much! I had no idea, honestly, I wasn't even aware it existed. I remember getting a phone call from Mel and she told me the news that I had won the award. I was so overjoyed, but I was convinced they had called the wrong person and waited weeks for an email to say they had made a mistake. Being there on the evening was surreal, I still couldn't believe it and was so nervous about going up on stage. It was so nice to be able to share that evening with my husband and best friend who have been my biggest supporters and cheerleaders throughout my course, and I was so happy to see Mel again. I still can't quiet believe I won, I have my certificate proudly on show in my living room ready for my counselling room one day.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

I would like to say a special thanks to my husband Ben, my best friend Karla, my mother in law Linda and my kids Leo and Jonah. Without them I wouldn't be where I am today, they have truly been my biggest supporters throughout my time at college and uni. They may not be able to help me write my assignments (much to my dismay), but they are always there to help and listen when needed.

If you are interested in Counselling courses at Weston College, click here.

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!