Nadine Wood

BSc (Hons) Nutrition and Human Health, Class of 2016

Following an open day at the University in 2011, I was given the information I required to make the decision to return to higher education. This was a big step for me, as I had not contemplated University upon finishing 6th Form and six years later after starting to build a life for myself and after working in the real world, I was now going to shake up my whole routine. I was the first in my family to attend University and was really pleased to be able to start my journey with University of Suffolk.

With a view to becoming a teacher in Food Technology, I went with the goal of becoming a Food Tech teacher and wanted to gather advise on how to achieve this. The university provided lots of information, and this really helped aid my decision to head back to school.

My employment journey started before graduation, I had laid a few foundations throughout my 4 years to ensure I had several transferrable skills and contacts before I finished my course. During my studies I volunteered for 4 years at Westbourne Academy to gain priceless insight into teaching and classroom-based learning and academia. I worked with Students on a 121 basis to try and assist them in the next steps of the career path/higher learning.  

The real crazy thing is I didn’t end up where I first thought I would, and I think this is the case for a lot of students. The original plan was to complete my degree while volunteering in a school – undertake my teacher training et voila. However, a very long story short my Nutrition and Human Health degree landed me a temporary role in a Local Rail Infrastructure company, called RT Infrastructure Solutions Ltd. While working with the business as a temp, I gained several skills, worked hard, and was offered a number of opportunities to progress within the business. I have welcomed every opportunity with open arms and experienced so many brilliant things in my posts within the company. 

The one lesson I have learnt is to be open to the opportunities, nothing ever really goes to plan, so taking it all in, and learning all of life lessons has been a real eye opener. Once you have achieved your academic goal no one can take this from you, so the direction, whatever that may be is all part of the process!  

Please know that there will be so many incredible opportunities afforded to you following your time with the university. Immersing yourself in the experience is key, as the time goes so quickly and the support and nurturing that is founded within the confines of the university are truly priceless.  I took a leap of faith at the age of 24 to move away from my long-term role in retail to try and establish my longer-term career – no one can tell you at 16 or 18 how to have everything figured out or the best way to find your feet. Higher learning was always a path that I kept coming back to, this was in a hope to find some direction and without my experiences at university and in the work I was doing outside of this on placement and volunteering I would not be where I am today. I would also say, appreciate you tutor, lecturers and mentors throughout this process their time and knowledge shared is truly priceless. Enjoy the journey!