St Simon Stock Catholic School

I left St Simon Stock in 2020. I was doing A levels but came to my conclusion that it wasn’t for me so I decided to take the college path. I love horses and knew that’s what I wanted to do so I thought about becoming a farrier. I knew it was going to be hard work but I thought why not give it a go. I went to Herefordshire & Ludlow college and completed a pre-farrier course to see if I would like it, and confirm if it was what I definitely wanted to do. I found I loved it and so I then started an apprenticeship with a master farrier. My plan after my 4 years is to have my own business. Before this I had no experience with horses but it’s the best thing I ever did! Just because you try something and find it isn’t for you, keep trying and you will find something that you love.

After leaving St Simon Stock in 2015, I studied at Staffordshire University for a degree in Paramedic Science. I qualified 4 years ago and I am now working in Birmingham as a paramedic for West Midlands Ambulance Service. Although working on the frontline during the COVID-19 pandemic has been tough, the camaraderie has been undeniable and the support from the public has been a huge morale boost! The 12 hour shifts can be long and tiring but being a paramedic is a great job, and being able to help those in their time of need is very rewarding.

I have completed both a Batchelor and Masters degree and now work for the UK government at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development office. Working for the government has been fascinating! In my six years working here so far I have worked on topics from aid, human rights and trade, as well as travelled to places like France, Belgium, Zambia and Kenya representing the UK overseas. It’s a really interesting place to work, as you rub shoulder to shoulder with people who change the way the world works, like Ministers, Prime Ministers, Presidents and Ambassadors. It’s a place where you can really use creative and deep thinking to deal with the most important topics facing a country. If anyone is thinking of looking at working in politics or for the government, I would say it’s an incredibly rewarding experience. There are people from all different types of background, people who went to university and there are lots of people who never went to university. I would heartily recommend going into politics or government if you care about how society is run, find elections or parliament interesting, or just want something that will really challenge you. Its always interesting and really rewarding work. There are lots of ways of joining, directly, as a graduate or as an apprentice and I’d really encourage you to consider working here.