Social work degree has changed my life

When Clair Paterson decided to go to university, it was a life-changing decision. Now she’s set to collect her BA (Hons) in Social Work today she knows it was worthwhile.

She had worked in a homeless centre and children’s unit and was so impressed by the hard work of the social workers there, she went to college to complete an HNC in social work before gaining a place at the University of the West of Scotland.

Now that she has her degree, Clair, 28, from Crookston, can’t wait to start her new job with Glasgow City Council, working with the children’s team.

She said: “It was a big, life-changing decision to go back to college. I had to move home and turn everything around to do it.

“I thought I’d do the HNC first and see how I got on with that, which confirmed how much I wanted to be a social worker.”

Clair excelled on her course and won the Morag Faulds Award for outstanding practice.

She says much of the UWS course was practical and students were given their own caseload to deal with: preparing them for the world of work.

But Clair, who is getting married next month, says the social side of university was another big bonus.

She added: “I have made lifelong friends at UWS – some of them even joined me on my hen night.

“I’ve learned so much over the four-year period. I can’t believe the amount I’ve learned. I’ll really miss it.