After almost 20 years in the same role, Andrea Porter knew she wanted to try something new.
While balancing work and family life, she enrolled on the Access Adult Learning Diploma in Health & Welfare at NWRC’s Strabane Campus and discovered a new path.
Today, the mum of 2 is a qualified Occupational Therapist.
And Andrea wants her experience to inspire other people – saying it’s never too late to do something new!
"The Access course in Strabane changed everything for me,” she said. “It gave me confidence in myself, and showed me that it's never too late to follow a new career path."
“I had already studied Business Admin in 1997 and had worked as the Haematology secretary in Altnagelvin Hospital for almost 20 years, but I decided I wanted a change.
“But I was nervous at the beginning – I had no intentions on leaving my full-time job – as far as I was concerned I wanted to keep my full time wage. Life has a way of working out though and it turned out that the Access course was taught on a Wednesday – my day off – so I went to NWRC every Wednesday and was still able to do my job.
“What made it even easier was that the college was just three minutes away from my house.
“My lecturers Claire Campbell and Angela Thompson were amazing, I cannot say enough about them. I was a terrible doubter and thought: ‘I won’t be able to do this.’ But they encouraged me and told me I could.
“After NWRC I went on to Ulster University and have just graduated in Occupational Therapy.
“My daughters are now attending the college – Jenna who has completed her Level 3 and is now studying Nursing and Erin who completed her BTEC Level 3 and hopes to study Social Work at Magee.
“The last few years have been an unreal experience – I gave it all 110% and I’m so proud I got here. I want to tell people they can do this – it is never too late to change your career, I feel so blessed that I had so many good people around me giving me the help and support.”
“Don’t doubt yourself – do it!”
To apply for a course at NWRC visit www.nwrc.ac.uk/results
