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Natalia Lasys

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A birds eye view of three students sitting in big pink chairs, with a circle table in front of them with their laptops on. One student has a book on their lap.

I chose to study this course as I wanted to work in Public Health, to have the opportunity to make a difference. I’ve always enjoyed motivating others towards positive change, so to be part of an organisation that creates change is what I strive for.

I enjoyed all the degree modules in health as I’ve always been very passionate about and interested in health-related subjects. I gained a lot of knowledge from the course which enabled me to have a greater understanding of health and wellbeing and I particularly enjoyed learning about the development of people from birth to adolescence. In my current role, I’ve utilised all the modules that were taught, so all my learning has played a part in my career so far.

While I was studying, I also worked as a Student Ambassador. Being a mature student gave me an advantage – other students took my advice and I enjoyed supporting my peers as I’ve always had good leadership skills and an awareness of others. Though going to university was a big change for me, and at times I doubted my choice of career change, this role gave me more confidence in my abilities and reassured me that I’d made the right decision.

I was diagnosed with Dyslexia in 2014, at 21 years old, while in basic training for the Royal Navy. I’d always wondered why I struggled so much academically, but then I was able to understand and realised it was ok. Because of this, going to university wasn’t easy, but I knew I could achieve a degree. I worked hard and had a lot of support from my lecturers, and we all supported each other inside and outside the classroom. Going to university gave me the opportunity to learn a subject I was interested in and gave me confidence that I can write professionally and find a way of learning that suits me.

When I graduated, I became a Social Prescribing Link Worker, which I did for a year before taking my current role in Public Health. My goal is to become a Public Health Practitioner and I can achieve this through either a master’s degree or portfolio through my work placement. I’ve chosen to take the portfolio route, which will take me a little longer, but it suits my home life and makes it more manageable. The knowledge I learnt from my university course has given me the motivation to keep achieving, especially in areas that once would have held me back.

The advice I would give to undergraduates interested in this career path would be to never hold back because of fear. I was turned down twice for a place on the course, but I never gave up and it was the best thing I ever did – I loved every second!

* We no longer offer Health Studies and Applied Social Care BA (Hons), but we offer Health and Social Care Practice BA (Hons) or Health Sciences BSc (Hons).

View our Social Work and Social Care courses