Sub Rosa

Worked as a Student Ambassador again and was amazed by the group that I came across. The leader of the meeting was a lady with a very similar story to mine - not only has she got a doctorate, she just happens to be the local director of education! Talk about raising the bar high.
The people in the group were all at the stage I was about four years ago, where they were making incremental steps to return to education.

I was asked to take some of the group to the art block, which I absolutely loved - am I on the wrong course, I thought. We had to draw a still life picture of a manniquin, using paper on the floor and making the marks with charcoal taped to a bamboo cane. I was suitably impressed with my effort - after all, it was going to look suitably crap, because I was 3ft from the paper, with precios little control of my implement.

It was confirmed that - yes, I am on the right course. I am marginally better at English than art (my model drawing looked like it had some chronic vitamin deficiency), but I really enjoyed myself. I managed to hook up with a lady, who runs a textile class in our local town - so I have a feeling I will be dropping in to see her soon.

One thing shone out today - a guy my age group, who has just found out that he has dyslexia. He showed me his portfolio of artwork, I was truly stunned - enough to be emotionally moved by it. He is such a fantastic fine art artist, it just blew me away. He had started on small courses and was working his way up. We had a long chat and now he has made the brave step of applying for the Access course for Art, with the full intention of going to the top.

I think that there are some jobs that are so rewarding - watching people achieve great things against the odds is one of them.

I have just received a letter from my college, informing me that I have been nominated as one of the students who would make an excellent Student Ambassador for Higher Education.  Part of the job is to act as a mentor to people considering doing a degree, or returning to Education.  As part of this 'mentoring' process, I will be attending events and will be able to access free training. Bonus? I will be paid per scheduled hour and above minimum wage.

It isn't a shoe-in - I will have to have group and separate interviews to see if I am worthy.  If I am successful, then it will develop existing skills and enhance my CV.  I am flattered, if a bit nervous about it.  They forgot to send me the prerequisite forms, so I will have to chase that down on Monday. If I get it, I will just have to brazen myself through it - if it helps me develop better IT skills, even better. Go me (I say NOW - maybe different when the time comes).