Leah Horton

My name is Leah Horton, I am 21 years old, and I studied Early Years Education at University Centre South Essex from 2020 to 2023. This is my story.

Before starting at UCSE, I had briefly attended another university, but I did not feel settled there and decided it was not the right path for me. I returned home and applied to UCSE, receiving a place at the last minute. Looking back, I feel incredibly grateful for that opportunity.

I chose to study at South Essex Colleges Group because it allowed me to commute from home, which made a big difference to my confidence and wellbeing. The course also aligned with the career I had originally planned to pursue, and the positive feedback I saw about it reassured me that I was making the right choice.

During my time at university, I developed a much stronger understanding of what it takes to succeed. I learned the importance of staying organised, working consistently and pushing myself to achieve the best possible outcomes. Completing my work to a high standard gave me a real sense of achievement and helped me grow in confidence.

Alongside my academic learning, I developed valuable personal skills that I now use every day, including organisation, resilience and self-confidence. These skills have supported me as I moved into the next stage of my career.

One of my favourite memories from university was spending time with friends, especially taking breaks together and enjoying the local area. Those moments made my experience even more special and helped me feel part of a supportive community.

After graduating, I worked hard to explore different career opportunities. I applied for a range of roles and also completed additional online courses to build my knowledge and improve my chances. Through this approach, I secured a role at Munich Re, a Lloyd’s syndicate, which is my dream company.

I now work as a Claims Delegated Authority Assistant, supporting the claims team with a variety of administrative and operational tasks. Although I did not have previous experience in this industry, my proactive approach to learning and development helped me make a successful transition.

The support I received from my tutors, particularly Maria, played an important role in my journey. She helped me achieve strong results in my assignments and supported me in understanding what career path would be right for me. Her encouragement helped me grow in confidence and believe in my abilities.

One of my proudest achievements has been completing my degree and achieving a 2:1, particularly in my dissertation. It reflects the effort and determination I put into my studies.

Looking ahead, I am excited to continue developing in my career. I hope to progress within the insurance industry and work towards gaining my CII certification.