For Katherine Gartland, the path to education has been anything but traditional. Instead, her journey is one defined by resilience, determination and a powerful commitment to personal growth.
A mother of five, Katherine devoted nearly 15 years to raising her children after becoming a parent at a young age. While her focus was firmly on family life, her ambition to build a career never faded. As her children grew older, Katherine made the life-changing decision to return to education and invest in her future.
That decision led her to South West College, where she has embraced learning at different stages over the past decade.
Katherine first explored her creative interests by completing a Floristry course in 2015/2016. She later returned to study a Certificate in Counselling, developing her passion for supporting others. Today, she is pursuing the Ulster University Foundation Degree in Business Management, where she has found a clear pathway toward her career goals.
“South West College gave me options that wouldn’t have been possible in a traditional university setting,” Katherine said. “With five children and no extended family support for childcare, flexibility was essential. The part-time structure allows me to focus on my studies one day a week while still being there for my family.”
Returning to education as a mature student has brought its challenges. Balancing coursework, childcare and daily family life requires careful planning and dedication. However, evening classes played a key role in helping Katherine rebuild her confidence and transition back into learning.
As part of her course, Katherine is currently gaining valuable industry experience through an internship at the InnoTech Centre. The opportunity, secured through the College’s internship programme, closely aligns with her Business Management studies and is providing her with practical skills and professional connections to support her future career.
“The internship has been such an important step for me. It’s given me real-world experience and shown me that I’m capable of building a career,” she added.
Looking ahead, Katherine has a clear ambition. By the time her youngest child begins primary school, she aims to have completed her Foundation Degree and be ready to move confidently into full-time employment.