UWTSD Master’s student hopes to inspire others to return to education to transform their lives
When Peolita Douglas crosses the stage at her graduation ceremony in Birmingham this afternoon watched by close family and friends, she will do so proudly, knowing that her hard work has paid off.
With the support of lecturers, Peolita has overcome challenges as a result of the pandemic and the current living crisis to graduate with a Master’s in Managing Skills in the Workplace.
It’s vastly different from her days at school during the 1960s where although enjoying some aspects of lessons, she was subject to racism.
Peolita said: “I am a mature student, coming from working-class Caribbean parents ,who migrated to England from the Caribbean Island of St Kitts in the early 1960s. My upbringing and going to school in the 60s in Birmingham was difficult, and racist at times and I felt isolated.
“But my parents had always promoted education as a way of achieving as much in life as you can, so I was keen to do just that.”
Since leaving school Peolita has enjoyed a 40-year career working within social care as a youth worker, foster carer, senior social worker assistant, commissioning placement officer and fostering manager.
In 2019, Peolita decided to semi-retire so she could enjoy trips away with her family and friends – but that well-intended break didn’t last long.
Peolita said: “Alongside my job, I am a mother, a wife, plus I support my extended family members and friends.
“I wanted to take some down time and semi retire and enjoy life holidaying for a few years.
“But after speaking with a friend who was about to start at university and hearing about the opportunities to study for a degree, I jumped at the chance.
“Initially I had not thought about achieving qualifications beyond Level 4 Skills in the Workplace, and now here I am three years later doing my Masters.
“Friends and family say they are enormously proud of me. I am also proud of myself. I hope to achieve a management role in the future in HR. In the meantime I have opted to undertake some voluntary work in HR recruitment within Barnardo’s where I work part time, this feels exciting, and it will enable me to use many of the skills I have obtained with my BA.
Peolita said she had experienced challenges during her studies but had worked hard to overcome them.
She said: “I have experienced a lot of financial hardship, due to the economic downturn and escalating cost of living. I also found out that I had learning disabilities in my late fifties.
“These hardships could have put me off, but I persevered and know I feel such a sense of achievement knowing it’s all been worthwhile.
“I would recommend this course to others, especially mature students who have worked before and want to improve and expand their work and life experience. And especially to those who want an opportunity to experience University life.”
Further Information
Ella Staden
Press and Media Officer
Corporate Communications and PR
Email: ella.staden@uwtsd.ac.uk
Phone: 07384467078