Today, I attended the Torbay Business Forum at South Devon College for National Apprenticeship Week, and it got me thinking about my own journey. Funny how things come full circle because my journey to becoming a graphic designer actually started at South Devon College—though back then, it was based in Torquay.
At the time, my son was too young to start nursery. I was going to a mother toddler group and had joined a course aimed at helping young mums get back into work when their kids started school. I’ll never forget this one moment that changed everything. The lady running the group asked, “What do you want to do?” Not, “What should you do when your child goes to school?” but “What do YOU actually want to do?”
That really stuck with me. Up until then, I’d never really thought about what I wanted. I’d had a few jobs here and there, but none of them sparked any real passion. After a bit of brainstorming, we looked at different industries, and that’s when graphic design popped up. It just clicked. I’d always been creative, but it never occurred to me that I could turn that into a career.
It turned out that South Devon College was offering a National Diploma in Graphic Design, and—perfect timing—they had an on-site nursery, which meant my son could be looked after while I studied. It felt like everything had fallen into place.
Starting the course as a mature student in my mid 20s, I found myself in a class full of 16-year-old lads fresh out of school. But you know what? I absolutely loved it. Those two years were brilliant. I had an amazing tutor who was supposed to retire after our first year, but he decided to stick around just to teach us through the second year. That kind of support really meant a lot, and we’re still in touch today.
After finishing my diploma, I carried on studying at Plymouth College of Art and Design, where I earned a Higher National Diploma in Graphic Design. That journey shaped not just my career but who I am today.
Oh, and here’s a funny twist—I now live on the old South Devon College site, on McKay Avenue, named after the McKay building. I’ve been living here since they built it, nearly 18 years ago. Talk about full circle!
Going back to South Devon College today made me reflect on how far I’ve come. All of it started with one simple question: “What do YOU want to do?”
If you’re at a crossroads in life, maybe ask yourself the same question. You never know where it might lead.
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