Tom's career journey

• The Wey Valley School Weymouth
• Level 2 and Level 3 in Public Services and Foundation Degree in Public Services at Weymouth College
• Top-up year for full undergraduate degree at Plymouth University
• Masters in Criminology at Plymouth University

What was your learning journey?

After supported lodgings I moved into my own flat and studied Level 3 in Public Services at the same time. I then went on to do the foundation degree with college. Plymouth University offer a top-up year to the full undergraduate degree so I moved to Plymouth and graduated in 2017.

I wanted to continue with my education still so decided to enrol for the Masters in Criminology.

What are you doing now?

Sadly I suffered a family bereavement in 2018 which interrupted my studies and I am currently re-taking my Masters.

When I was at college and uni I had mentors who I used to meet weekly. It was hard living on my own and being at college, but they helped me to keep up and would push me. I wouldn't have done it without them. If I had been left to my own devices I would have failed because I didn't have the support network at home. Having these people helped to make the difference.

Find your education options

There are different ways to find out what your education options are:

• talk to your school tutor about the different career options or visit dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/where-next
• find more career information on careerpilot.org.uk
• find information and support about options at 16 in Dorset from Flying Start