“Like my journey, your own journey may be difficult. You may be frustrated at times, but remember Hillside, its members and staff are there to help you, so keep trying. I hope my story inspires you.”

My Journey to Employment

I would like to share with you the members of Hillside my journey back to full time employment. I have recently been offered a teaching assistant role in a primary school in Islington. My journey has been a long one with lots of challenges, but leading to eventual success. I am writing this article to share my story with Hillside members, so you can be encouraged in your own search for work but also so you can learn from it.

I started at Hillside after being told about it by a professional I was working with. In fact, they mentioned it to me a number of times, but I didn’t think it was for me. My previous experience of day centres had left me sceptical. I could not have been more wrong. I eventually referred myself and met Jessie, who became my employment support worker. Jessie immediately noticed I had been volunteering at an after-school club and suggested I do some sort of teaching qualification, something I had not thought of myself. After researching courses together, I settled on the supporting teaching and learning course at WM College, which is a course to become a teaching assistant. I also started mentoring at Hillside in the entry level English class. As part of my course, I did a placement one day a week, which I found a very valuable experience academically but I also found that I loved working with children.

After I completed both the level 2 and 3 supporting teaching and learning courses I started applying for work. I found this a very challenging experience. I had not filled in an application form for a long time and as for interviews I had even less experience. I eventually had some success in my applications and even got a couple if interviews, but I was unsuccessful. I was told I didn’t have enough experience. To stay positive, I decided to do an English GCSE course and carry-on mentoring at Hillside to keep up my teaching experience. Then the bombshell of COVID hit, the college closed, Hillside closed and like everybody else I spent untold months alone in my flat wondering about my life.

After things returned to the new normal, I managed to secure a volunteering role in a primary school and then we went into lockdown again. I had to stop volunteering. However, whilst schools were shut an opportunity arose at the after-school club I volunteered at, as it went virtual. I volunteered virtually every week for a number of months. This was a valuable experience for my future applications

When schools started advertising for teaching assistant roles again, I started applying. Like my previous attempt, I had successful applications and another couple of interviews. But I couldn’t get past the interview stage! Jessie who had been supporting me the whole time suggested I do the employability course facilitated by WM College. I found the course very useful and would recommend it to anybody looking for work. It changed my mindset and I learnt valuable interview skills.

After being unsuccessful at interview again, I started volunteering at another Islington primary school for more experience. Eventually it got around to the time where jobs were starting to be advertised. I was encouraged to see a vacancy for the school I was currently volunteering at. I submitted my application form and waited. I waited quite some time thinking my application was unsuccessful. Then to my surprise I was offered an interview. I went with a positive attitude and prepared using what I had learnt on the employability course. The interview went really well, I was less anxious because I of my previous experience at the school. I am very pleased to say I was offered the job the next day and start in September.

I hope you have enjoyed reading my story and that it gives you the incentive to persevere with your own job seeking endeavours. Take it from me it is worth it, keep trying even if you are unsuccessful at first, you will get there eventually. Like my journey your own journey may be difficult you may be frustrated at times but there are always avenues to approach like I did with volunteering and training and remember Hillside its members and staff are there to help you, so keep trying. I hope my story inspires you.