A Photography student from Solihull College & University Centre is on her way to Coventry University to study her dream subject after almost giving up hope.
Ameena Javed was determined to do criminology when she left school, but came across a stumbling block when she didn’t have the necessary GCSE Science and English grades to study the course at college.
Ameena comments: “I thought it was the end of my dream, and I was almost ready to give up when I was offered a solution at Solihull College & University Centre.”
Ameena received a grade 6 in GCSE Photography at school, so it was suggested she follow that path to get her level 3 qualification. She admits she struggled during her first term and was quiet and withdrawn, but then figured out how to use her passion for criminology and forensics on her photography course – threading aspects throughout her work.
“I’ve always been passionate about criminology and psychology, and I want to be a prison counsellor, so I studied a lot on the subject and used my photography skills to bring it to life.”
Ameena has now accepted an unconditional offer to study Criminology and Psychology at Coventry University and said the support of the careers team at college really helped her. She comments: “The careers team were incredibly helpful and checked my personal statement for my university application. There is always a path to get onto the course you want, but you must do your research! I felt really lost but I found a way through it to get my unconditional offer and I’m so excited to be starting uni in September.”
Careers Advisor, Jane Findlay, commented: “Ameena was focused on what she wanted, and determined to not let some disappointment at GCSE get in the way of her future. Emma Jukes, her course leader has also been brilliant in ensuring her photography course work had elements of criminology in it which then really helped Ameena sell her full skill set to university. I wish her so much success as she really deserves it!”
Course leader Emma Jukes says, “I am immensely proud of Ameena’s academic and personal journey. I’ve witnessed her transform from a shy and reserved young person into a confident individual, not only achieving her goal of obtaining her desired course but also embracing work experience opportunities that have significantly built her confidence with others. It has been an absolute pleasure to have taught her, and I truly hope she achieves her goal of working in the field of criminology and psychology.”
