Kelly Birkin
Kelly Birkin
Age: 40
Course: BA Hons in Theatrical Hair
In 2019, aged 36 I went back to education because my children had grown up and my son had started at university, I felt it was my time to work on myself.
I had left school age 16 with good GCSE results and had gone on to do an apprenticeship in office administration as I thought that’s what I wanted to do at that age. I then became pregnant with my son and life changed completely for me.
As my son was growing up, I trained in beauty therapy and became a self-employed beautician so that I could work around him. I followed this by doing jobs within different areas: childcare, hospitality and caring for the elderly.
I had never really known what it was that I wanted to do when I was younger, but as I got older I had more time and experience to be able to seriously think about what I wanted in life.
I therefore decided to go back to my beauty roots and become a make up artist and enrol on to a degree.
Kelly Birkin“I had never really known what it was that I wanted to do when I was younger, but as I got older I had more time and experience to be able to seriously think about what I wanted in life.”
My course helped me to develop my social skills, academic thinking, writing skills and practical skills, and I made lifelong friends along the way.
My time at University Centre Rotherham cemented what I wanted to do and helped me understand what steps I needed to take to get there. I loved my time at UCR.
Now I am working for the RNN Group doing the job that I dreamed of when I first started my university journey, and I’m working with the same amazing team that supported me through my degree.
I am so glad I used my time to go back to completing my education and do a degree. I could not happier.
Click here to find out more about returning to education
University Centre Rotherham recognises that adult education is a powerful tool for personal growth, economic resilience, and social cohesion. Across the region and UK, adults are gaining the skills to progress in their careers, build confidence, and connect with others. The impact reaches far beyond the classroom as employers’ benefit from a more adaptable workforce, communities grow stronger, and society becomes more inclusive.
With the right support, course and training, adults through adult learning can address multiple challenges at once – from closing skills gaps and tackling social isolation to reducing inequality and strengthening communities.
University Centre Rotherham – working to transform lives, empower communities, and drive sustainable growth.
