Graduations are underway for the University of Cumbria, with over 1000 people to have graduated by the end of the week.
Starting yesterday (July 16), graduands attended ceremonies being held at Carlisle Cathedral for one of the most important days in many people’s lives.
Graduate Phoebe Exley, 23, from Barrow, studied sports rehab after one of her college friends got her into it.
“Through Covid I lost my job and it left me at a bit of a loose end, so I thought I’d take up something new, I’ve really enjoyed it,” she said, adding that she hopes to continue working in sport as she’s currently working in rugby.
Krishna Panicker, 39, from India, studied a PGCE at the university’s Lancaster campus and now works at a primary school in London.
On what he enjoyed most of his time at the university, he said: “It’s the hands-on experience.
“I think the course trained me well to deal with any kind of situation because we had three different placements, and it’s quite intense which turns out to be good.
“I’m happy that it worked out and I landed a job fairly quickly.”
He said he worked for 10 years in Dubai, volunteering and holding workshops for young children.
“It wasn’t in a school setting but we valued education-centric sessions for kids, and that got me interested in teaching.
“My main job was in marketing which was really boring, and one day I took the plunge, and here I am,” he added.
Ese, 26, came to Cumbria from Nigeria to study primary teaching, and said the county had lots to offer.
She said she valued having a personal tutor and added: “I had really a nice relationship with my colleagues as well.
“We worked as a team to make sure we would help each other to get to where we are.”
This year an honorary doctorate was given to Emeritus Professor John Lee, who has dedicated his life to working in education and ecology.
Two people were handed a Spirit of Cumbria Award this year as well - Jessica Kelly-Dettlaff who studied Fine Art, and Lilly Swietek, who studied Animal Conservation Science.
Lilly has completed her degree with a sandwich placement degree programme that is delivered by the Institute of Science and Environment.
In all, 1,299 students are expected to have graduated by the end of the week.
Ceremonies will continue up to and including Thursday, July 18.
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