Class of 2022
Religion, Philosophy and Ethics
Country: United Kingdom
Job:
Director & Moving and Handling Practitioner – SupportiveAction Ltd
IF YOU STUDIED YOUR UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMME AT YORK ST JOHN UNIVERSITY OR FOUNDER COLLEGES, DID YOU GO ON TO POSTGRADAUTE STUDY?
No.
WHY HAVE YOU CHOSEN THIS PHOTO AS YOUR YSJ SNAPSHOT?
This photo means so much to me because it represents something I never imagined for myself. Since graduating, I’ve taken a slightly unexpected path and now run a business within the medico-legal sector, supporting disabled children and adults with complex care needs.
Looking at this photo reminds me how far I’ve come since university. It’s a reflection of the opportunities I’ve had, the challenges I’ve overcome, and the role my time at York St John played in helping me build the confidence to take opportunities I never thought I’d be capable of. It reminds me that sometimes the best things happen when life doesn’t quite go to plan.
WHY WOULD YOU RECOMMEND YSJ TO SOMEONE?
My advice to current students would be to say yes and put yourself forward. So many of the things I once found uncomfortable or cringe-worthy have ended up shaping who I am and what I do today. You don’t need to have a perfect plan, but you do need to be willing to give things a go. You never know where an opportunity might lead.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE YORK ST JOHN UNIVERSITY OR FOUNDER COLLEGES?
I chose York St John because I loved the city. It was close enough to home to feel familiar, but far enough away to give me some independence. I also really liked the campus and the atmosphere. From my first visit, it just felt like somewhere I could see myself being!
WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN DOING SINCE COMPLETING YOUR STUDIES?
Since graduating, I’ve taken a slightly unexpected path. I now run SupportiveAction Ltd, a business specialising in moving and handling consultancy and occupational therapy services within the medico-legal sector, supporting disabled children and adults with complex care needs across the UK.
My degree didn’t lead me directly into my current role, but the skills I developed at York St John have stayed with me. Being able to think critically, explore different perspectives and challenge assumptions is something I use every day.
Running a business has been one of the biggest challenges of my career, but also one of the most rewarding. As a dyslexic business owner, I’ve learnt that there isn’t one right way to do things, and some of the things I once saw as challenges have become strengths. I’ve had the opportunity to work alongside brilliant colleagues, support incredible clients and families, and build something I’m genuinely proud of.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE YOUR SPECIFIC COURSE?
Religion, Philosophy and Ethics wasn’t actually my original plan…
I initially wanted to study Philosophy and Sociology, but York St John didn’t offer that combination. After falling in love with the university, I explored the Religion, Philosophy and Ethics course and quickly realised it covered many of the aspects of society, ethics and human behaviour that interested me most. In the end, it turned out to be a perfect match as it allowed me to focus my dissertation on the ethics of care when caring for those with disabilities (something that still hapes my practise today).
WHAT WERE THE BEST FEATURES OF YOUR COURSE?
As someone who is dyslexic, one of the things I loved most about the course was the focus on coursework rather than exams. I enjoyed being able to fully immerse myself in a topic, go down a rabbit hole of research and develop my own ideas. The subjects were incredibly varied, which kept things interesting, and I loved being challenged to look at issues from different perspectives and think beyond the obvious answer.
HOW DID STUDYING AT YSJ HELP IN YOUR CAREER SEARCH/SUCCESS/CURRENT ROLE?
Although my degree isn’t directly related to my current role, the skills I developed at York St John have been invaluable. The course challenged me to think critically, question assumptions and explore issues from different perspectives. It also helped me develop confidence in my own ideas and abilities. Whether I’m working with clients, collaborating with professionals or running a business, I regularly draw on what I learnt during my time at YSJ.
WHAT ONE PIECE OF ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO A CURRENT STUDENT, OR ONE ABOUT TO GRADUATE?
Say yes! Put yourself forward for opportunities, even when they feel a bit uncomfortable, cringe-worthy or outside your comfort zone. So many of the things I once felt nervous about have ended up shaping who I am and what I do today. You don’t need to have everything figured out, but you do need to be willing to give things a go. The things that feel awkward now might just become your biggest strengths in the future.