Share On
Sophie Wade My Story
Former HE Graphic Design and Illustration student, Sophie Wade tells us her story.
My name is Sophie Wade, I am 24 years old, I studied BA (Hons) Graphic Design and Illustration at South Essex University from 2020 until 2023, and this is my story.
After finishing my A-Levels in 2017, I spent three years working in Local Government Administration roles. I wasn’t finding the work enjoyable or fulfilling, so in 2020 I decided that I would return to education and embark on a new creative career path.
I liked the idea of studying local and being able to commute to and from the University every day. When I first expressed an interest in joining the course, I met with John, who was the course leader at the time, and he reassured me that despite not having any previous creative experience, with my proactive and conscientious approach, I would be able to succeed on the course. Having a tutor who believed in me from the get-go was amazing and just from these few conversations I had with John prior to joining and the amount of support and encouragement he provided, I knew that enrolling would be the right decision for me.
There were around twelve students in my class in total, which meant that I received a huge amount of one-to-one support, something which is not always possible at larger universities. The tutors were very responsive and were always there for me whenever I needed them, both in person and via Teams. I loved working with them as they are just as passionate about Graphic Design as I am! The overall environment is also very welcoming and inclusive.
The best thing about completing a higher education course is the sense of accomplishment which you feel when a hand-in day finally arrives, and you submit everything you’ve spent so much time working on. My tutors knew how much I wanted to do well and pushed me every step of the way to ensure that I achieved my goals.
My greatest achievement so far is being given the opportunity to work in partnership with the RSPB on my final major projects for both my second and my third year. It has been a pleasure to work with the Community Engagement Team and the young people who volunteer at Rainham Marshes, and I will be forever grateful to my tutors for facilitating this collaboration.
As a HE student I have been able to undertake extracurricular opportunities which alongside my degree programme itself, have significantly boosted my confidence. I was a HE Peer Mentor during both my second and third year, and throughout my final year, I have been part of the college’s board of governors. Being at the university provides you with so many amazing opportunities to grow, thrive, and develop both professionally and personally
Since completing my course in May, I have been busy job seeking, and I have also been preparing for the D&AD New Blood Festival – our final degree show. I am on track to receive a First-Class Honours degree which has been my goal since starting the course, so I feel immensely proud of the fact that my hard work and determination has paid off.
Within the next few months, I am hoping to secure a London-based role as a Junior Graphic Designer, where I can work on creating both print-based and digital solutions. From here, I would love to gradually progress into the position of Senior Designer, and eventually, I would love to work my way up to Management level and oversee my own team of creatives. In the future, I would love to set up my own.
Success stories
Success story: Monique Warburton
Course studied
Throughout my time at South Essex Colleges Group, the tutors were incredibly supportive and always encouraged me to keep going, even during difficult times.
My name is Monique Warburton, and I studied Level 6 Professional graduate Certificate in Education (PgCE) at South Essex Colleges Group.
Before studying my PgCE, I worked in special needs care, supporting young people in my local community and giving their parents valuable respite. Helping young people gain independence inspired me to pursue a career in teaching.
I began with an Access to Teaching course, which helped me build confidence in academic writing and prepare for university-level study. I then completed four years of Special Needs Studies before taking a break. Having spent many years at South Essex Colleges Group, I chose to return to complete by PgCE in 2023 because I already felt comfortable and supported by the staff. Staying local at the Southend City College campus gave me the confidence to continue my education after being out of learning for a long time.
Studying for my PGCE was a huge achievement for me. The course taught me valuable skills including lesson planning and how to use digital technology in teaching, such as Kahoot and Blooket. Throughout my time at South Essex Colleges Group, the tutors were incredibly supportive and always encouraged me to keep going, even during difficult times.
Since graduating, I have been working at the college as a part of the Adult Workforce Skills team. I previously worked as an iPrep tutor teaching employability skills, including health and safety, money management, and mental health first aid. I also taught counselling skills and support work before progressing into teaching Business Administration and IT.
I now help learners develop skills in Excel, Word, PowerPoint and Cyber Security, something I genuinely enjoy because I continue learning new skills myself while helping others achieve their goals.
My time at the college massively helped prepare me for the workplace and also built my confidence personally. Completing both my degree and PGCE are among my proudest achievements, alongside raising my children and working full-time as a teacher.
The best thing about further education is working with learners who genuinely want to be there and achieve their qualifications. I would absolutely recommend South Essex Colleges Group because of the support available from staff, the welcoming environment, and how accessible the campuses are locally.
Looking ahead, my ambition is to open a small cooking school for students with learning disabilities, helping them develop life skills while also working towards maths and English qualifications. I want to continue supporting others to gain confidence and independence, just as I was supported throughout my own journey.
Find out more information about our teacher training courses
The course has prepared me for the workplace in many ways, not only by developing my technical skills but also by helping me build confidence.
My name is Jay Hayden, and I studied BA (Hons) Photography at the University Centre South Essex (UCSE) and I am currently working as a freelance photographer.
I chose to study at UCSE because of how accessible it was and how welcoming the environment felt. Compared to other colleges and universities I visited, the staff made the campus feel homely and supportive, which really stood out to me.
I studied at the Luker Road Campus in Southend-on-Sea, where I completed my BA (Hons) Photography. Although photography had been a passion of mine for a few years, I hadn’t had access to professional facilities such as a studio, darkroom, or print space. I knew that if I wanted to succeed, I had to fully commit and push myself to improve.
During my time on the course, I gained access to industry-standard equipment and facilities, which made a huge difference to my development. Working in a studio environment was completely new to me at first, but over time I built confidence and now feel very comfortable in that setting. This experience has also helped me secure work outside of university in studio-based roles.
Since studying, I’ve had many exciting opportunities. My work has been displayed in exhibitions, galleries, and art shops, and I’ve successfully sold prints through my Etsy shop. I’ve also photographed a wide range of events, including dance shows, pet photography sessions, weddings, parties, and hen dos. One of my proudest achievements has been being awarded ‘Photographer of the Year’.
The course has prepared me for the workplace in many ways, not only by developing my technical skills but also by helping me build confidence. I’ve learned how to communicate effectively with clients and how to promote myself and my work professionally, skills that are essential when working freelance.
One of my favourite memories from my time at college is the brief delivery days, where tutors introduced new projects and shared different artists and photographers to explore. These sessions gave me a huge amount of inspiration and helped shape my own creative style. In fact, one of my greatest achievements so far has been discovering my niche and developing a strong, personal style through my work.
What I value most about further education is the knowledge I’ve gained. I’ve learned skills I would never have experienced otherwise, such as processing and scanning my own film, which has added another dimension to my photography.
I would highly recommend UCSE as it’s a safe, inclusive, and welcoming place to study, with access to the kind of equipment and support that really helps you grow and progress in your chosen field.
Looking ahead, my ambition is to become my own boss and continue building my freelance photography career, combining personal creative work with client-based projects. In the future, I would also love to become a photography tutor, sharing my knowledge and helping others develop their skills and confidence.
I would highly recommend South Essex Colleges Group and University Centre South Essex. The lecturers are welcoming, supportive, and genuinely make you feel seen, creating a positive and encouraging environment to learn and grow.
My name is Gabriel Buckley, and I am currently studying Creative Media & Promotion at University Centre South Essex (UCSE).
I chose to study at UCSE after seeing one of my close friends thrive on the same course. At the time, I felt stuck in a rut, but something about the course stood out to me in a way nothing else had before, it gave me a sense of direction and possibility.
Before coming to the University Centre, I spent a year studying Film Production in Lincoln and worked as a chef for five years. Although I initially thought film was my path, being fully immersed in it made me lose my passion, leaving me feeling uncertain about my future. After returning to Southend, I rediscovered my creativity through photography and videography, initially combining it with my work in the kitchen. This soon evolved into a passion for portrait and fashion work, which ultimately led me to this course.
My time at college has helped me grow significantly, both professionally and personally. It has given me the confidence to trust my abilities, approach new opportunities, and engage with industry professionals. I’ve learned that failure is part of the process, and it has strengthened my problem-solving skills and resilience. I have also improved my social skills, which has been invaluable when networking and collaborating.
Beyond preparing me for a career, university centre has helped shape my personal development. What started as a hobby has now become a clear career path. I’ve developed the ability to manage multiple projects at once, improving my workflow and multitasking skills across different creative disciplines.
Alongside my studies, I work as a freelance photographer and videographer, focusing on elevating brand promotion by enhancing portfolios and brand identity. I originally started this journey three years ago as a hobby, but over time I’ve built a growing client base and continue to push my work forward.
One of my favourite memories at college has been organising and taking part in shoots with other students and creatives. Collaborating with peers, working with models, and arranging test shoots, particularly with Matthew David Andrews, has been a highlight of my experience.
For me, the best thing about higher education is the sense of freedom it offers. It allows you to explore your interests in depth and shape your learning around your individual goals, creating a more personal and meaningful experience.
I would highly recommend South Essex Colleges Group and University Centre South Essex. The lecturers are welcoming, supportive, and genuinely make you feel seen, creating a positive and encouraging environment to learn and grow.
One of my proudest achievements so far is having my work published in multiple magazines, including Artells, ASBO, and Marikas. I have also submitted work to D&AD with Olivia Woolford, which was a particularly rewarding milestone in my creative journey.
Looking ahead, my ambition is to establish my own production house not just as a space for my own work, but as a platform to support and elevate other creatives. I’m passionate about creating opportunities for others and contributing to a wider creative community.
