This year saw me transition back into education after a five year break in employment. This was therefore quite daunting to me and I was uncertain whether I would be able to accomplish what I had set out to. However, the experience Derby College gave me has allowed me to make this move with the best possible outcome I could have wished for. I owe my achievements and successes throughout this year to the supportive and captivating team of staff I was lucky enough to encounter.

I found the facilities accommodated the course structure well and facilitated us in producing the highest standard of work achievable. I also found that any facilities that were not available directly through the college, were accessed through other sources where possible.

I found the support offered to me through this process has been impeccable. Throughout the completion of my dissertation, my mentor was always available for a one to one meeting on request and if their schedule was busy, they were always accessible via email or phone. I never had any experience of personal counselling throughout the entirety of my course, however was always made aware of the services on offer to me through the college and who I was able to contact if I so needed.

The staff provide an insightful and innovative approach to their individual subject specialisms to provide the best possible learning experience. I found the lessons to be engaging and informative, and the incorporation of academic trips and organised training days, really added great value to the course, whilst allowing us to incorporate what we had learnt into a dynamic real life situation.

12

Throughout the entirety of this course, I have been lucky enough to obtain numerous skills which have added great value to my future career prospect. Through the various assignments and through my research project I have developed my academic writing, along with data analysis and professional research and through the various presentations we have produced, I have improved my confidence in delivering to a wide range of audiences as well as my communication skills and my ability to build an effective report with the audience. This course has also allowed me to become involved with various professionals in the industry, to allow me to network with the relevant individuals and gain vital advice on job roles and interview techniques. I really found this course provided me with many opportunities and allowed me to develop as a professional within the equine industry, whilst equipping me with the best possible set of skills to successfully move forward through the industry and be a vital asset to its expansion.