It's that time of year when many students are currently embarking on the next stage of their academic journey. Completing exams, getting the grades and finding a course that reflects their life-interests. Many of you may have applied directly from school or made the transition after college. My own journey to studying at Queen's was not so linear, so fear not if you feel that you are on a similar journey, there are such things as second chances and even thirds!

'A perpetual student'

I am currently what my friends having lovingly dubbed 'a perpetual student'. And to be fair to them, I may have done one or two extra courses over the years and not just for the student discounts and freshers' freebies. But this was not my intended goal in life. It just so happened to be that while I thought I was on a straight route to my destined career, life had other plans.

Find out more about studying at Queen's

Art school beginnings

When my time at high school was drawing to a close, my classmates were progressing to become doctors and teachers, I on the other hand, was the stereotypical art student with my oversized portfolio. Art was my identity, and I was destined for art school. I had chosen graphic design as my specialism when I finished my foundation year.

The first year was hard and not like anything I had done at college, I wasn't prepared for the style of teaching and I started to miss painting which was always my first love. I made the switch in second year; a decision I would later come to regret. Again, the course wasn't what I had envisioned, and I graduated with a sense of unease that maybe I had rushed my decision in making a change or in going to uni so soon in the first place.

BLOG: My Experience of Changing Courses at Queen's

Transition to graphic design

A few years later, still dwelling on my life choices, I decided to set things right for myself and I applied for a HND in graphic design, this time determined to succeed. This turned into a full bachelors with honours thanks to a top up degree, and I graduated once more, this time with better grades, a future husband and a belief that I had righted the wrongs of my past. It wasn't easy trying to fit in study and work back-to-back. It took a lot of sacrifice and saving every penny to fund the fees.

Seeing what I had been capable of achieving made me ready for more. I knew I wanted to continue my academic pursuits, encouraged by friends who were completing their master's degrees. I wanted to do one too, but in what I was not yet sure. This was not a decision I wanted to repeat again if I got it wrong.
I was visiting a friend and his girlfriend one day. She was working for a local tech company as a programmer and had just moved up to the city.

Find out more about Code First Girls

I was intrigued to find out more about the role as I didn't know any developers myself. She told me about her dream to build an app, about coding and the creativity of the role. I was hooked.

A week later I signed up to a free coding course and learning Python for 8 weeks. After that I did web design with the same company: Code First Girls - it's free to do the courses and a great way to get an insight into a tech role. It was my first step in applying to Queen's a year later to study the PGCert in Software Engineering.

Skill Up opportunities

Thanks to the funding made available by the Skill Up I was able to take a step towards something new without worrying about the financial burden. It was tough. The entry test alone gave me sweats. There’s been long nights and early mornings, and a lot of imposter syndrome along the way. But here I am two years later and about to embark on the final year of the MSc in Software Development. It has been such an incredible journey and the experience and made me not only realise my potential in doing something completely different to my undergrads but empowered me to believe in my own capabilities.

Find out more about MSc Software Development (Part-time)

Without this course, I wouldn't be where I am today. I even got some careers help with my CV, from the careers team, and that led to my first tech job before I have even graduated!

Studying at Queen's has probably been the most challenging experience but the most rewarding out of everything I've done. I would encourage anyone who feels unsure of their academic pursuits to have faith in the process and believe in your capabilities. Make use of the resources available, network, get involved with the community and enjoy your time as a student. Because for many it's not always an everlasting experience!

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Postgraduate study at Queen's

Skill Up Flexible Skills Fund

Mature students at Queen's

Sharon McAleer Software Engineering | Postgraduate Student | Bangor, NI Hi my name is Sharon, I’m 37 and studying the part-time Master's degree in Software Engineering.  I’m also working full-time as a software support engineer and I love that I get to apply my studies to my job role! I love to learn and am always passionate about continuous personal development. When I’m not studying or working I love hanging out with my cockapoo Barkley, taking him on walks or to the beach, working on illustration projects and tending to my indoor plants. I have previously been engaged as a student rep and been involved in volunteering activities such as Q-Con.  When I’m on campus I can usually be found in the McClay as it’s my favourite building!