USP College helped me find my passion

When I first joined USP College I didn't really know what I wanted to take, so I started with the essential skills course, now known as pathways. I did that for a year before making up my mind to study Level 1 Animal Care. This is when I found my love for animals, and decided that it was something I wanted to do in the future.

I loved seeing the animals and their lovely happy faces everyday!

Throughout my course I also got to know my tutor, Lorna, and her pack of Malamutes, which she regularly competes to a national standard and breeds, and I was able to watch one of her dogs, Elvis, grow up during my time in College. Elvis was a puppy when I first joined the College and I have seen him grow into an award winning dog (Elvis represented team GB in the world Dog Sled Competition in 2019).

After completing my Level 1 course I progressed onto Level 2 Animal Care. After successfully completing this course and with the support from my tutors, I was able to progress to Level 3 Animal Management with Science.

The best part about my course was helping with the animals in College, especially the Malamutes. Getting to watch them grow was amazing, I even helped Elvis get ready for Crufts a few times too. I now have a lovely placement at J&C's party pets, which is a mobile petting zoo company!

Immediately after College I continued volunteering as I am currently at J&C’s Party Pets, which is a placement I gained through the work experience team at USP. Alongside volunteering I completed The Prince's Trust Team Programme, which was very rewarding.

I would recommend USP because my teachers were very helpful in getting me where I am now. They gave me motivation to complete assignments with a positive attitude, and even good humour. They truly believed that I would do well, even when I struggled to believe in myself. It wasn't just the tutors, it was the work experience team too, who found my placement for me which I still do, and love. Overall I’d score the College a 10/10!