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'I wanted a chance to try something different and it felt like a chance to learn and do something I loved'
Name: Heather L
Age: 46
Studying: BA Photography at the University of Huddersfield
Qualifications: HNC Photography
When I left school I didn't really know what I wanted to do. I found myself doing a Certificate in Social Care at 17 and as a result I worked on play schemes and in a boarding school and children's home. Temporary jobs and redundancies were the norm, so I drifted in and out of jobs. In my thirties I decided to travel and worked in a few countries and on a cruise ship.
I never really knew what I wanted to do, but I wanted to be involved with something creative. My mum was a craft teacher and dressmaker but nothing felt quite right until I discovered photography properly.
Many years later in 2007 I was made redundant and felt I wanted to do something at college part-time that could improve my job prospects and photography was the course I decided to learn more about. I found a photography HNC course on two evenings a week at a local college. The additional year to do the diploma was not available in my area so I decided to do a degree at university.
I was worried about the cost of going to university and taking on debt. On the other hand I wanted a chance to try something different and it felt like a chance to learn and do something I loved.
Getting back into education hasn't all been easy. I have found academic study a real challenge after many years out of the education system, however I feel it's worth it as I've learnt so much.
I'm currently doing an Employment Placement Year (EPY). This is a gap year scheme run by the ¿Business Mine' at the University of Huddersfield. During this year I have been working for myself as a sole trader.
Although the gap year adds on another year until I graduate, I recommend taking time out from university. It's given me time to explore a little and to plan my final year.
In my photography I'm now concentrating on underwater portraits, so I can do a bigger and better portfolio for my final year, which might lead to some bigger advertising and commercial work in the future, as well as the opportunity to do underwater portraits of the general public.