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Steven
Graduated 2005
Since leaving Sheffield Hallam I have completed a PGCE in Early Years. With studying Early Childhood Studies I had a sound understanding of early years practice and policy before I started the course. I feel this gave me an advantage over other people on my course, as some had studied less relevant degrees and had a lot of catching up to do. Even though I had the advantage of doing an early childhood studies degree I still found the course unbelievably demanding.
Now I’ve finished my PGCE, I’m doing supply work. While I’m still young I want to go travelling, so supply seemed a good option, but I’ll still keep my eye out for that perfect job.
I’ve found in previous interviews that having an ECS degree gets you noticed more as opposed to having a more mainstream degree.
The ECS course in general equipped me with a range of skills and knowledge that are vital to becoming a good teacher.
Even if I hadn’t done a PGCE and became a teacher, I still had plenty of options in regards to my career. During the summer I walked into a job working at a nursery. I also had the chance to be a playworker.
During the ECS degree I found all the group work difficult, but in retrospect I’m glad this was part of the course because collaborative work is essential in most early year's settings and it prepared me for the reality of working in the sector.
The only advice I could give any ECS student is to make sure they work hard in the first and second years, because the knowledge gained in these modules sets you up to achieve well in the third year. More importantly, enjoy your time in Sheffield because I really miss it and wish I had made more of my time there, get involved in a much as possible.
My future aspirations are to first finish my NQT year then hopefully in time become a foundation stage leader. In regard to my academic development, I would like to undertake a master's degree in early childhood education. I think I would also like to author children’s picture books because I found the children’s literature module of my English elective really interesting, although this is just a thought at the moment.