Graduate stories highlight diverse Early Years careers at UWTSD

Students across Early Years Studies programmes at University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) recently took part in an Graduate Stories event – now an established annual feature of the course – bringing together alumni from a range of professional backgrounds to share their experiences beyond university.

Hosted online by academic staff, the event gave students the opportunity to hear honest reflections on life after graduation – from building confidence in practice-based roles to navigating career changes, further study and leadership opportunities. While each journey was different, the graduates shared a clear commitment to working with children, families and communities in meaningful ways.

Rather than following a single career blueprint, the speakers demonstrated how UWTSD’s Early Years degrees can open doors to diverse and evolving roles across education, care, wellbeing and support services.

Building experience alongside study

Graduate Lisa Evans spoke about completing the BA Early Years Education and Care degree through the medium of Welsh while working as a nursery nurse in Aberystwyth. Studying full time while gaining hands-on experience allowed her to work across a range of early years settings, including nursery provision, forest school and out-of-school care.

Lisa described how linking theory with daily practice helped her develop confidence and a deeper understanding of child development. She now works as a Lecturer on Childcare programmes at Coleg Ceredigion, inspiring the next generation of Early Years learners. Her journey highlights the value of combining study with practical experience and shows how Early Years graduates can move into training, assessment and wider sector support roles.

Supporting children, young people and families

Several graduates reflected on careers focused on supporting children and families beyond traditional childcare settings.

Lauren Thomas, now working as a school-based Youth Worker, shared her varied career journey since graduating. Having previously worked in early years, lecturing and specialist family support roles, she spoke about the importance of resilience, self-care and continuous learning when supporting young people facing complex challenges.

Her experiences demonstrated how careers can evolve over time, with skills developed during an Early Years degree transferring across different roles and settings. She highlighted how a strong understanding of child development and family dynamics continues to underpin her work.

Another graduate shared insight into working as a social worker, highlighting the varied and often complex nature of supporting children and families. They reflected on the importance of safeguarding, multi-agency working and ensuring that children’s voices are heard, while acknowledging both the challenges and rewards of making a difference in people’s lives. They also encouraged students to gain as much practical experience as possible and reassured them that career paths often become clearer over time.

Confidence, leadership and professional growth

Other speakers focused on how confidence continues to develops once graduates enter the workplace.

Joanne Maguire, now a Senior Worker at Swansea Council’s Early Years Early Help Hub, reflected on her transition from student to a leadership role supporting children and families. She spoke about how her career has developed over time, building confidence through hands-on experience and taking on new challenges.

Jo highlighted the importance of being open to opportunities and recognising your own potential, even early in your career. She emphasised that many of the key skills developed during an Early Years degree, such as communication, empathy and understanding child development, provide a strong foundation for progressing into more senior roles.

Similarly, Natasha Young, discussed how her degree provided a strong foundation for working with children and families, but emphasised that learning continues well beyond university. Natasha, now an Early Years Lecturer and Programme Manager on UWTSD’s BA Early Years Education and Care (3 year) and BA Childhood, Education and Society, encouraged students to trust themselves, ask questions and build confidence over time. 

Finding your own path

A clear thread running throughout the event was the individuality of each graduate’s journey.

Caitlin Davies spoke about navigating her own path after graduation, noting that it is normal for plans to change. For Caitlin, that journey has led to her managing her own nursery, an achievement that reflects her drive and the strong foundation built during her studies. She also highlighted the important role that placements played in shaping her career, explaining how they helped build her confidence and allowed her to apply what she had learnt in real-world settings.

Encouraging students not to compare themselves to others, she emphasised that each role, whether practice-based, academic or support-focused, plays an important part in improving outcomes for children and young people.

Graduate Lowri Evans echoed this message, reflecting on how her experiences during and after her degree shaped her professional direction. Now working as a Welsh Language Offer at Coleg Sir Gâr and Coleg Ceredigion, Lowri spoke about how she had initially expected to work in nursery or early years teaching. Instead, her career has taken her into working with young adults in college settings,  a direction she had not originally considered but now finds highly rewarding. She encouraged students to remain open to change, emphasising that it is completely normal for career paths to evolve.

Advice from graduates to students

Across the event, several key messages emerged from the graduates’ experiences:

• There is no single career pathway: journeys after graduation can take many directions, and it’s normal for plans to change over time
• Practical experience is invaluable: placements, part-time work and hands-on opportunities help build confidence and apply theory in real settings
• Confidence develops over time: many graduates highlighted that self-belief grows through experience, reflection and support in the workplace
• Your skills are transferable: knowledge of child development, communication and empathy can open doors across a wide range of roles
• Continuous learning is key: whether through further study or professional development, learning doesn’t stop after graduation

For students currently studying at UWTSD, the event served as both reassurance and inspiration, demonstrating that careers evolve, interests shift, and success looks different for everyone.

UWTSD’s Early Years team remains proud of its graduates and the impact they continue to make across settings, services and communities. Events like this not only celebrate alumni achievements, but also help current students see the many possibilities that lie ahead.

Further Information

Mared Anthony

Communications and PR Officer: Alumni Relations   
Corporate Communications and PR    
Email: mared.anthony@uwtsd.ac.uk    
Phone: +447482256996