City of Westminster College is celebrating Adult Learners’ Week by profiling students who are succeeding with us. Today we focus on a student who decided to change career path.

 

Natalé Towell, 26, is a first-year student on the Foundation Degree in Professional Photography and combines studying part-time with work as a photographer’s assistant, also undertaking individual commercial assignments. “My previous career was in hospitality management and I decided to go back to college because I wanted to do something more creative, but with a clear vocational focus.”

 

Being able to combine studying with working means Natalé is gaining experience while she trains and she’s also had the chance to decide where her future photography interests lie. She says learning as an adult has distinct advantages: “It’s a real asset to have something on your CV that indicates you have spent time in a work setting – especially when it comes to getting work experience – so your past is never wasted. I’ve even picked up photography assignments from people I used to work with in my previous career.”

 

Natalé’s advice to other adults considering a career switch is to consider your choice carefully, but don’t be afraid of making a radical change. “Choose something you enjoy, but with a clear goal. You can put previous experience to good use. In my case, my background in hospitality management helped with time and financial management and I think it also made me more disciplined – especially when it comes to balancing study and leisure time.

City of Westminster College offers a select range of vocational Higher Education programmes, including Foundation Degree, BTEC Higher National Certificate, Access to Higher Education Diploma and Association of Accounting Technicians QCF qualifications. For information about HE opportunities at the College, and the wide range of other adult courses, call 020 7723 8826 or email customer.services@cwc.ac.uk