Spotlight on Talent – William Miller

Studied: Access to Education and GCSE Maths
Progression: BA Hons Physical Education and Sport at University of Wolverhampton

For the first time in his life, William Miller feels he’s in control of his career.  The former automotive apprentice is well on his way towards achieving a degree in physical education and either becoming a teacher or a setting up his own sports-related business.

“It’s important to love what you do,” said William.  “I’d implore anyone who believes they have more to offer in their career to seriously consider further study.

“It is a challenge and will take sacrifices, in some case, financial, but it you stick with it and apply yourself, there are no limits to your potential.”

On leaving school at 16 with few GCSEs, William felt compelled to take up an Apprenticeship, becoming ‘miserable’ as a result.  The Covid pandemic prompted him to rethink his career, taking up something he would be more interested in doing.

Teaching was one of his first choices, but without A Levels to take him into university, he needed to explore an alternative route.

While William admits that returning to education was ‘a shock to the system’, he says his Access to Education course at Walsall College left him well prepared for university.

“I was fortunate to have been taught by fantastic lecturers, David and Angela, who were able to teach complex things in a way that the whole class could understand.  I hadn’t experienced teaching like this before,” continued William.

“It gave me a lot of confidence, especially after doing well in my first assignment. I ended up finishing the course averaging a Distinction for every assignment, which is probably my greatest academic achievement so far, even after completing my first year of university.”

In preparation for pursuing a teaching career, William also returned to the college to achieve his Maths GCSE, providing him with additional motivation to work towards something he ‘really wants to do’.