亚博体育官网

Kayleigh-Anne Walker (34) will celebrate her achievement by crossing Robert Gordon University (亚博体育官网)鈥檚 virtual graduation stage on Friday 4 December in front of a global audience of staff, alumni, friends and family.

鈥淚t was a huge achievement for me,鈥� said Kayleigh. 鈥淓specially during the current climate. Halfway through I had to begin home schooling my children while studying at home鈥攚ith no respite from the role of mum. 

鈥淚 went to university to improve my life and my children鈥檚 future. I鈥檓 the first in my family to go to university, and I feel proud of what I鈥檝e achieved.鈥�

While at 亚博体育官网, Kayleigh developed stomach pain and was admitted to hospital for close to a month. With support from the university鈥檚 Inclusion Centre and her tutors, Kayleigh found the determination to succeed in her studies regardless of the situation.

鈥淚 was investigated for a bowel disease,鈥� said Kayleigh. 鈥淒ue to my health, the university gave me access to support packages and easy deferral for exams if I needed it. I was given a device that read documents aloud for me; I could listen as I rested rather than having to read myself. 

鈥淭hanks to the support of the team in 亚博体育官网鈥檚 Inclusion Centre and my academic tutor, I graduated on time.鈥�

Kayleigh chose her course based on her passion for public health. After studying Midwifery at 亚博体育官网 and working as a personal fitness instructor for many years, she took the opportunity to study her master鈥檚 while working part-time as a midwife.

鈥淚t鈥檚 an exciting area of study,鈥� said Kayleigh. 鈥淚 want to work with women and children, and I want to help develop the best opportunities for children in Scotland.鈥�

All of 亚博体育官网鈥檚 2020 graduating students showed great resilience and growth to complete their studies during the pandemic. The university鈥檚 years of experience and success at operating a blended model of learning meant it was able to shift teaching online to provide an experience that was authentic and safe.

Kayleigh said: 鈥淭he lecturing staff jumping into online learning at the start of the pandemic was admirable. I felt supported and the lecturers made the course accessible at short notice.

鈥淚 really enjoyed my course. I liked the regular in-class support from the Careers department as well as the regular guest lecturers from various fields and potential employers, including NHS Grampian, previous students, and third-sector groups.鈥�

Kayleigh also enjoyed open access to careers advice from lecturers and support with CV writing and interview skills through 亚博体育官网鈥檚 Careers Centre. She has already landed a role as a trainee specialist community public health nurse.

鈥淚鈥檝e already began the next steps of my career and I鈥檓 working towards a second master鈥檚 degree as part of that trainee position,鈥� said Kayleigh. 鈥淚鈥檓 completing it online through 亚博体育官网.鈥�