DCG Success Stories

Making the switch to a career in education after many years in retail has turned out perfectly for Derby College Group student Lisa Rashid.

Lisa, from Chellaston, is currently completing the Level 3 Diploma for Teaching Assistants after gaining the level 2 certificate last year.

A mother of three, she was taken on as a full-time TA at Homefields Primary School in Chellaston after initially working there as a midday supervisor.

Lisa, 45, left school at 16 and went straight into retail. She worked for household names such as Clarks Shoes and Boots, making her way up to manager with fashion retailer Next, before taking a break to have a family.

She said: “When my youngest child, who is now eight, started school, I decided to return to work. I didn’t really want to go back into retail as it had changed so much in the time I’d been away and the hours aren’t very family friendly.

“Instead, I got a job in a local primary school and loved it so much I decided to look for teaching assistant college courses.

“My school let me do placement hours on my level 2 then offered me a permanent position.”

Being naturally well organised and planning out her assignments enabled Lisa to balance the pressing demands of work, study and family life.

She added: “I’ve always been good at organising my workload and my college tutors and assessor have been so supportive.

“Transferable people skills I gained during my years in retail have also been extremely useful in my new job. Being a confident communicator helps when interacting with parents and teachers.

“I work with Year 1 children – five and six year-olds – and I use everything I learned on my college course every day at work, sometimes without even realising it.

“All the course content was highly relevant, with safeguarding and child development my favourite subject areas.”

 Lisa is considering taking the Level 4 Certificate for Higher Level Teaching Assistants with DCG once she’s had a couple of years’ break from studying.

She added: “As a busy mum the TA job I do now is perfect for this stage in my life.

“I’d definitely recommend the TA courses at Derby College and, as my experience shows, it is possible to have a complete change of career direction later on.”