‘Proud moment’ as mum and daughter celebrate graduating together
A former dental nurse has a new reason to smile after graduating from Staffordshire University alongside her daughter.
Jenny Byrne, 47, and Laura Whalley, 21, from Seabridge in Newcastle-Under-Lyme started their degrees on the same day and have now graduated in the same week.
Jenny applied to Staffordshire University through Clearing after taking the leap to leave her full-time job to study BA (Hons) Social Work.
She explained: “After looking into different people’s mouths for 30 years, I decided it was time for a change. It wasn’t an easy decision. I was a single mum with two teenagers, I’d just lost my dad to cancer, I’d had a few knocks along the way, and I imagined I was going to be the oldest person at university.
“But, when I mentioned to my friends and family the crazy idea that I wanted to leave my career and full-time job to go to university to become a social worker, they all encouraged me and believed I could!”
Following a few phone calls, Jenny got a place at Staffordshire University through the Clearing process, organised her student finance, and had handed in her notice all within a month.
After driving in together on their first day, Jenny and daughter Laura have supported each other throughout their studies.
Laura, who studied BSc (Hons) Policing and Criminal Investigation, said: “It was nice to be able to share the experience and offer each other advise, especially when we were working at home through the pandemic.”
Jenny now has her dream job as a social worker and Laura is working with the fraud team at Bet365.
Laura said: “It’s a proud moment for us both and one which we will not forget!”
Jenny added: “In the end, with the encouragement of my amazing family and friends I believed I could. If I can, anyone can! It’s fair to say, it has been quite a journey. It’s the most fabulous proud mum/ daughter moment ever!”
Hear more about Jenny’s story on Staffordshire University’s Graduate Success 2022 YouTube playlist.
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Find out if you are eligible for an offer through Clearing by using our Offer Generator and have a ‘live chat’ with current students experts at http://www.staffs.ac.uk/clearing/ or call our Clearing hotline on 0800 590 830.
Amy Platts
Media Communications Officer
t: 01782 292702
m: 07799 341911
e: amy.platts@staffs.ac.uk
Staffordshire University is a Civic University which plays a leading role in improving the regional economy and enhancing quality of life in local communities. We pride ourselves on being connected to the needs of students, academic partners, business and society.
We ranked 6th for social inclusion in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2022 and were in the top 15 for Student Satisfaction in the Complete University Guide 2022.
Our main city campus in Stoke-on-Trent features excellent learning and teaching facilities and good transport links. We have a Centre for Health Innovation in Stafford and our Staffordshire University London campus is committed to preparing students for careers in new and emerging tech industries.
