Further and Higher Education Progression Story
Discover Fatima’s FE progression journey from studying to securing her first academic job in Further Education.
Fatima is a Learner Developer/Thriver Tutor in Law at Birmingham City University.
While Fatima has had an incredible journey throughout her career, it wasn’t easy and required continuous educational courses, travelling, and a lot of challenges.
From 2004 to 2016, Fatima completed various higher education courses to get to where she is now.
From completing a bachelor’s degree in English and Linguistics at the University of Leeds to one year as a Postgrad in English Language and Literature at the University of Huddersfield.
There was never a respite for Fatima, straight after completing her Postgrad, she enrolled for a Master’s degree in TESOL Studies at the University of Leeds, followed by another year as a Postgrad student at the University of Warwick studying Social Sciences Research.
Through all the hard work and dedication, Fatima finally achieved what she was destined to do and secured a job in Further Education as an ESOL Lecturer at Joseph Chamberlain Sixth Form College, where her FE progression journey began.
In 2013, Fatima continued her journey in Further Education and began teaching at Coventry College as an EFL/ESOL Lecturer.
Benefits of working in Further Education
Fatima worked at Coventry College for 12 years in a permanent position, building a great network with colleagues and students.
Fatima’s passion and dedication continued to grow within her job, working closely with ESOL students in the local area.
As well as teaching, she worked on a variety of projects for the local community, which was an additional benefit of working in further education and a drive for her long commitment to Coventry College.
Alongside working at Coventry College, Fatima continued studying as a PhD student at The Warwick University Centre for Lifelong Learning.
Gaining experience in both perspectives in academia as a student and delivering seminars, attending presentations, workshops and conferences.
Fatima mentioned how studying as a PhD student helped her become part of the academic world and gave her a closer insight into what is required, encouraging her to take on a new opportunity within Higher Education.
Impact within HE
After 12 years, Fatima concluded that she could no longer have an impact within Further Education and discovered there were also students within Higher Education who sought help and assistance.
It was clear to Fatima that if she wanted to be part of a big change, part of the movement to reform education, she needed to progress in other areas of education.
Fatima was motivated by her new role after she found out it was a student-centred position, where her true passion remains teaching.
Fatima has always considered working in academia but didn’t want to move on if there was no opportunity to help students progress and succeed in life.
Fast forward, and Fatima made the jump from teaching in Further Education to Higher Education.
Luckily, Fatima’s new position continued to allow her to have a direct impact on the students.
What does it look like to work in Higher Education?
Fatima now teaches within the Faculty of Law as a Thrive tutor.
There are three main responsibilities within her new role.
Attending the Law Society events, voting sessions, and having to sit in the hot seat at a jury and judge are some of Fatima’s most memorable experiences to date.
Fatima expresses that she is dedicated to supporting her students, whether it is attending a games night or taking part and supporting the legal justice team.
Aside from the events, Fatima attends, tutorials, seminars, and delivers bespoke written sessions to students on academic writing skills, personal development, study skills, or employability and enrichment.
As exciting as Fatima’s new job is in higher education, her main drive and passion continues to be making huge strides in changes within the policy and curriculum.
For Fatima, the excitement stands in knowing this will be an amazing opportunity for Birmingham and the West Midlands, which she can proudly be part of.
Bringing Further Education skillsets and knowledge to her Higher Education teaching has been an advantage for Fatima, taking the lead on curriculum design, assessment planning, team leading and focusing on all the enrichment activities required by students to become successful.
It has been an honour for her to continue working with students from a mixed background, both in FE and HE, which allows her skills to be transferable in Higher Education.
Fatima’s journey in education for both Further and Higher education will continue to make a change for the better, and many students and employees will benefit from her endless support and encouragement.
Fatima Reszczynski
Learner Developer at Birmingham City University
You can find out more and connect with Fatima on LinkedIn.
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