Graduation from Loughborough College marks a high point in a long and determined journey for Samantha Taylor – which she hopes will inspire others.
After being awarded a BA (Hons) in Leadership and Management Samantha returns to her position as an HR advisor for Butlins in Skegness but her career ambitions will also see her continue her studies.
“I wanted to get a degree and at 30 I have finally earned my place in the family hall of fame,” jokes Samantha. “My degree has undoubtedly helped me progress and I am not stopping yet.
“Loughborough College has been incredible. It can be unbelievably hard to earn and learn but they have always been there for me with support that’s been second to none. And they’ve given me so much flexibility so I could work and be with my family. I am so proud to have been part of the course and even at my age I wanted to make them proud. It is not an over statement to say my tutors Mat and Donna have helped change my life.
“My degree has revealed business acumen, abilities I never realized were there – I certainly never thought I’d be poring over the Financial Times while I studied at midnight
“Work has been amazingly supportive, enabling me to take the time to go to College for lectures and exams.
“My partner is so proud of me and my mum is over the moon at what I have achieved. She’s been a real driving force, there at night with the black coffee while I was studying and saying, I can’t do it, telling me, You can.
“My dad passed away in 2015 and he would have loved to be part of my graduation. He instilled ambition in me, to be the best I could be and that was a key motivation for me.
“I was a terror at school. I never took it seriously, didn’t think I needed it but I joined Butlins at 22 and have risen through the ranks and now I have a degree – and spend time talking to young people, many a lot like I used to be.
“I work with the Young Apprentice Ambassadors Network and am passionate about sharing my experience and passing on the message that you can achieve anything if you put your mind to it. I do this in the East Midlands and now also host groups at Butlins for school students and leavers, urging them – if you really want it, go out and get it.
“I look after a team of 48 now but I want to keep progressing in my career. I’ll be continuing my studies, this time for professional qualifications in HR.
“Meanwhile, I am telling my eight year old son Jack, Right kiddo, knuckle down. I hope I’ll be a good role model to him.”
Donna Quansah, Programme Manager for the Distance Learning BA (Hons) Leadership and Management top up at Loughborough College, said: “Arriving on her first day, it was clear to me that Samantha was nervous, but also excited at the prospect of what lay ahead. During her time of studying for her degree through the block release approach, Samantha’s confidence developed and her work went from strength to strength. She quietly got on with her academic studies while also managing a new position at her place of work Butlin’s. Her focus didn’t waiver and she proved to herself that she could achieve amazing things with the abilities and drive that she had.”
Pictured: Loughborough College graduate Samatha Taylor hopes to inspire others, including son Jack