A student who previously attended Solihull College to study an Animal Management Diploma has completed her degree and is now a qualified veterinary surgeon.
Vicki Rhodes attended Solihull College for 2 years to complete her BTEC Level 3 course in Animal Management. Vicki knew from an early age that she wanted to be a veterinary surgeon and was determined to follow the path to her dream career; she knew the exact route that she needed to follow to be successful.
After visiting the college Vicki knew that Solihull College was the right place for her as she said “the facilities were amazing and at my enrolment interview the staff were all really helpful and friendly.”
After showing her commitment and dedication over the 2 years on the course Vicki gained her BTEC qualification and her next step was university. Vicki’s tutor Emma Collingswood said “Vicki successfully gained a place on the Level 3 National Diploma in Animal Management (now the Extended Diploma in Animal Management) with clear career aspirations of becoming a veterinary surgeon. Throughout the qualification Vicki was an exemplar student who was focused on gaining knowledge, a variety of work experience and developing her academic and life skills to enable her to gain a place on veterinary science at university. Staff were able to assist Vicki in achieving this goal by supporting her in gaining the required grades, facilitating opportunities outside of college and guiding her with her application. Veterinary Science is a very competitive route for any student to be accepted onto and to be successful a student needs to be focused, determined and prepared to make themselves standout academically and vocationally. Vicki certainly achieved all these things and we are delighted to be a part of her journey in reaching her career aspiration.”
Vicki explained how her tutors at Solihull College helped her with her university application and also ensured that she made the best use of her time whilst studying.
“It was very tough to get into university and I knew I needed to stand out.” Vicki attended an Easter School through VETNET LNN at the University of Liverpool where she hoped to impress and be offered an interview at the university with an offer to study. Vicki was one of those successful students who made it to the interview stage and she explained how the course at the college helped her to prepare “I had experience at Solihull College with many of the different situations that were asked about in the interview so I felt confident.”
Vicki impressed the University of Liverpool and was offered a place to study to gain her Veterinary Science Degree. After 5 years of hard work Vicki has now completed her degree and will graduate with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science and as a Member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons which allows her to practice.
Vicki’s determination to succeed didn’t stop there as before she had even received her results she had already secured a job at the University College Dublin. Vicki will be working as a Farm Intern for a year before she plans to return to England to start practicing, specialising in large animal practice.
Vicki, who has worked in veterinary surgery and volunteered for animal charities since she was 14, is excited about the prospects on offer in Dublin and will be making the move in just 2 weeks’ time. “I have enjoyed every single bit of my studies, it was worth all the hard work and I wouldn’t change any of it. You have to be focused and determined for many years and Solihull College helped with my experience in the field. I have recommended the college and the course to friends.”
For more information on the Animal Management courses available at Solihull College visit www.solihull.ac.uk or call 0121 678 7000.
