EDUCATION
Transformation – Dominic Gilchrist’ s career has blossomed since he chose to enrol on an Access to Higher Education Health course at Redcar and Cleveland College.
Looking for some inspiration?
Someone who faced all those fears and signed up as an adult learner is Dominic Gilchrist. Today, he is the first to encourage others to do the same.
Choosing to study an Access to Higher Education Health course at Redcar and Cleveland College gave him new direction.
He is now BSc Biology course leader at Teesside University, carrying out his own scientific research and loving every minute.
“ With a handful of 20-year-old GCSEs, I never believed I could be something like a scientist,” he said.
If he put his past work history under the microscope, it would reveal a mixed bag. From working at Hollywood Bowl and Carphone Warehouse to a stint in pub management and running his own business, it all added up to a unique skill set, but none felt like the career of his dreams.
Signing up for the Access to Higher Education programme not only prepared him for the demands of university but opened up a variety of study options.
Still uncertain what direction to take, fate offered a helping hand when he was offered a place to study biological science at Teesside
University – something he would never have previously considered.
“ At first, I thought, will I be able to do this? Am I capable?” he said.
By the end of his first year, he found his feet, and by the second and third year he knew he had the ability, the acumen and the passion.
He explained:“ I see now I had an unrealistic view of who scientists are.”
From university he got the chance to undertake a PhD working with one of his lecturers, resulting in another four years of academic research. A job as a microbiology lecturer followed and he has continued to progress. His aim now is to inspire a new generation of scientists.
Based at the new state-of-the-art BIOS building on the university’ s Middlesbrough campus, the support he received as an adult student is his inspiration in the classroom.
He said:“ The supportive teaching the tutors offered really made learning fun and their passion for the subjects was clear. I will always say it was this course that gave me the passion for learning and the bedrock on which I base my teaching today.”
To find out more about the study opportunities for adults, head along to the Etc.’ s upcoming open events. Visit Stockton Riverside College, Thursday February 12, 5-7pm, and Redcar and Cleveland College, Monday February 9, 5-7pm.
Employers looking to train or upskill their workforce can contact the Etc. For Business team at business @ the-etc. ac. uk or give them a call on 01642 865557.
Visit the-etc. ac. uk.
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