Jack combines his long term dreams with studies at Cambridge Regional College to achieve success

A chance opportunity to study an additional qualification with Cambridge Regional College (@CRC_College), alongside his studies at Coleridge Community College (@Coleridge_Edu), opened up a whole new world of study for Jack Hilsden.

Jack always had a strong sense that he would like to run his own property management business and in Year 10, he opted to undertake a Level 1 Diploma in Construction at Cambridge Regional College as an additional study option alongside his secondary education. The experience introduced him to a new industry and gave an insight into alternative further education options available upon completion of his GCSE’s, 

“I enjoyed studying with CRC; the facilities, support, and resources were exceptional, and the construction course piqued my interest from a business and industry perspective, highlighting a possible direction for me to progress my career. I felt that a move to CRC on a full-time basis was the most suitable option for furthering my studies, so after my GCSE’s I enrolled onto the Level 2 Diploma in Construction and spent a further two years learning about the industry.”

As Jack approached the end of his 2-year study programme, he began to feel an element of doubt as to whether entering the Construction industry at this stage was the right choice for him and he turned his attention to studying a degree at university. Unfortunately, the qualifications he had gained were not suitable for the university studies he wished to complete and, after receiving careers advice within the College, Jack re-enrolled with CRC on a Level 3 Diploma in Business.

Jack quickly found that the business course offered him the knowledge and skills to focus on his long-term goal of setting up his own business by providing him with practical tools to move his vision forward through a robust business plan. This gave him a clear goal to work towards, along with greater career certainty and the ambition to realise his dreams.

Jack added, “One of the reasons I chose to study business at CRC is the industry placement opportunity. My placement was with Allia, a social enterprise for charitable causes. I was able to experience the working environment, how businesses operate at a management level, and how projects are delivered, all of which developed my confidence for when I eventually set up my own business.”

Jack took every opportunity to develop as an individual, including becoming Student Representative for Business and he attributes his college success and securing a place studying Business Management at Anglia Ruskin University to the advice, guidance, and support offered at CRC.

Jack concludes, “My advice for anyone considering their next path of study would be to definitely consider CRC. The College has always been very supportive, the teachers offer high standards of teaching along with brilliant facilities enabling students to develop in all areas of their course.

CRC puts its students at the centre of everything it does, and the vibrant atmosphere makes you feel part of a large student community. I made a lot of friends, so my social life took off as well as my college life. I have thoroughly enjoyed every moment of my studies with CRC and would strongly recommend the College to anyone considering studying here.”