UWTSD Digital Degree apprentice uses new skills to secure leading role in post Covid health study

UWTSD Digital Degree Apprentice Karen Windsor is celebrating a new role as a Lead Information Specialist for Cancer and credits the university for giving her the skills and confidence to change career direction.

Karen, who works for Digital Health Care Wales (DHCW) and is two years into the four-year degree programme, was previously National Clinical Coding Audit Programme Lead at DHCW.

Karen said: “There’s no doubt in my mind that the support and guidance from lecturers at UWTSD, who have given me new skills and confidence, enabled me to go for this new role and to be successful in securing it.

“During my interview, I was asked what I was most proud of accomplishing to date and I told the interviewers about my degree, my pride at my excellent grades and feedback from lecturers and my pride that I was studying at this level and succeeding.

“It’s a change of direction for me after 18 years in clinical coding and I’m looking forward to the new role and continuing my learning journey through the degree programme to continue furthering my career.”

Karen said that when initially asked about undertaking a degree whilst working, she thought she was too old and had been out of education for too long.

“I thought I would struggle and perhaps not be able to cope with it. But how wrong I was,” she added.

“But I took the plunge, signed up and although initially I did feel a bit overwhelmed, I persevered. If you’d asked me 10 years ago, I would have said I wasn’t clever enough to study for a degree but here I am and I’m doing it!”

Karen said her lecturers Gaynor Thomas and Beverley Holland had provided amazing support throughout.

“I know that they don’t mind being asked questions and are always on hand for support,” she said.

“And that support gets you through. It’s invaluable. Studying for my degree has really opened my eyes to what’s available in terms of my career development. I feel that if I can do this, anyone can. Yes, you have to juggle work and family life, but it is achievable.”

Karen said her family was able supporting her studies. “My daughter graduated two years ago and is so proud of me and that helps so much. My son and husband think it’s amazing too,” she added.

Karen said she hoped to inspire others to follow a similar path, but said it was important to highlight the need to keep to strict deadlines for university work.

“I would say to anyone thinking about a degree to go for it. But to succeed on this path, I have also learnt to complete work before the deadline. That’s so important and enables you to receive valuable feedback from lecturers before you submit course work and assignments. It’s definitely helped me.”

Dr Stephen Hole (Apprenticeship Liaison Officer) said: “Karen is an inspirational student, her progress in such a short time is incredible. 

“Karen’s confidence has grown significantly together with her technical skill set. These factors led to her applying for and getting a new role outside of her previous comfort zone at work and taking up a new challenge. Her progress demonstrates that age is no barrier to studies and that if you want something and are prepared to put the effort in then it can be achieved. 

“The Digital Degree Apprentice studies has helped to transform Karen and she is now being called upon to pass on her experience to new starters to the programme.  Karen is amazing and it is my pleasure to be able to support her through her studies and her remarkable transformation.”

Further Information

Rebecca Davies

Swyddog Gweithredol Cysylltiadau â’r Wasg a’r Cyfryngau

Executive Press and Media Relations Officer

Cyfathrebu Corfforaethol a Chysylltiadau Cyhoeddus

Corporate Communications and PR

Mobile: 07384 467071

Email: Rebecca.Davies@uwtsd.ac.uk