When Jo German decided to take her career in a new direction, she turned to the University of the Built Environment’s flexible online Master’s apprenticeship programme.
Showing that it’s never too late to gain a new qualification, she graduated from the University with an MSc in Construction Management at the age of 59.
Part of Cambridgeshire County Council’s Education Capital Team, Jo now plays a key role in delivering new school buildings and refurbishments across the county.
But her route into construction was far from typical, despite being attracted to the sector as a child.
My mother bought me a five-year plan when I was 12 years old. On the back of it, it asked ‘What are your career choices?’ I put bricklayer down. I have no idea why!
“But when I was growing up there were traditional career pathways such as secretary, shop worker and nursing.
“Construction was male dominated and any careers conversation would have steered me towards more traditional 'female' routes.”
So, while Jo didn’t fulfil her childhood dream job, her career path did eventually lead her to the built environment sector.
After studying a foundation course in art and graphic design/illustration, she went on to spend 25 years providing educational and wellbeing services to children and families.
It was from there that she pivoted into educational institution construction projects.
Learning while working
She said: “I’d seen the difference we make for children and young people both through the design of buildings and ensuring buildings are well maintained. I wanted to be of greater service to the schools in my community.
“I wanted to be able to say to some of the headteachers, ‘actually the reason why your roof is leaking is the sarking felt and the battens’ and all those things that colleagues knew so much about and I didn’t feel I knew anything about.”
Online, flexible, accredited
She chose the University of the Built Environment following a recommendation from a colleague, and because she saw our accredited programmes combined professional study with the flexibility to work full-time.
Whilst really hard, I enjoyed not just the University of the Built Environment experience but also the apprenticeship route, enabling me to study and learn whilst working.”
Jo appreciated being able to study when and where it suited her, whilst being supported by experienced tutors who understood the realities of working in the sector.
“Christine [Gausden, Programme Leader] was very good at just telling us what we needed to do,” she said.
A dramatic discovery
However, it was a dramatic revelation midway through her studies that Jo came to also experience the excellent pastoral care offered by the University.
Jo was diagnosed with dyslexia - a discovery that reshaped how she approached her learning.
“The first modules were no problem,” she said, “but I found that, when I was listening to lecturers, I was struggling with words and terminology.
“I was getting tired, my mind was going blank… I’d be spending hours on essays but not getting very far.”
Jo assumed this was just what it was like studying at Master’s level, but in a meeting during her second semester with her Apprenticeships Outcome Officer (AOO), a question came to her mind.
“I just said out loud ‘I wonder if I’m dyslexic?’”
Her AOO offered to do an initial assessment to find out, which eventually led to an official diagnosis.
Excellent pastoral support
Throughout this upheaval, Jo said she felt “very supported” by the University.
She said: “I met weekly with someone who listened, provided advice and acknowledged the struggles were not just unique to me, there was a whole community out there experiencing the same struggles but were succeeding.”
She added: “My approach to learning changed from being frightened that I wasn't good enough to feeling able to tackle the challenges, understanding the blocks and frustration were due to the dyslexia, and that I had to find strategies (other than the ones I had picked up over the years) to help overcome and keep moving academically.”
With the University’s help, Jo found practical ways to manage her studies - including dictation tools and new learning techniques.
Opening doors for mature students
Jo’s story is a powerful example of how the University of the Built Environment’s flexible, accredited online programmes can empower learners at any stage of life to transition into the built environment.
Her story also illustrates how an online University still has the ability to offer excellent, bespoke pastoral support to its students.
Today, Jo encourages others considering a change of career into the built environment sector to embrace the opportunity:
My motto is from ‘Finding Nemo’. Dory said ‘just keep swimming’, and for me - and others - it doesn't matter which way.
“Movement means progress, even if it's sideways, backwards or forwards.
“And as my story shows, it’s never too late to learn.”
Study flexibly from anywhere in the world and build your future with University of the Built Environment.
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