Natalia Lasys

• Year of graduation: 2022
• Current job title: Stop Smoking Adviser, West Northants Council

I chose to study this course as I wanted to work in Public Health, to have the opportunity to make a difference. I’ve always enjoyed motivating others towards positive change, so to be part of an organisation that creates change is what I strive for.

I enjoyed all the degree modules in health as I’ve always been very passionate about and interested in health-related subjects. I gained a lot of knowledge from the course which enabled me to have a greater understanding of health and wellbeing and I particularly enjoyed learning about the development of people from birth to adolescence. In my current role, I’ve utilised all the modules that were taught, so all my learning has played a part in my career so far.

While I was studying, I also worked as a Student Ambassador. Being a mature student gave me an advantage – other students took my advice and I enjoyed supporting my peers as I’ve always had good leadership skills and an awareness of others. Though going to university was a big change for me, and at times I doubted my choice of career change, this role gave me more confidence in my abilities and reassured me that I’d made the right decision.

I was diagnosed with Dyslexia in 2014, at 21 years old, while in basic training for the Royal Navy. I’d always wondered why I struggled so much academically, but then I was able to understand and realised it was ok. Because of this, going to university wasn’t easy, but I knew I could achieve a degree. I worked hard and had a lot of support from my lecturers, and we all supported each other inside and outside the classroom. Going to university gave me the opportunity to learn a subject I was interested in and gave me confidence that I can write professionally and find a way of learning that suits me.

When I graduated, I became a Social Prescribing Link Worker, which I did for a year before taking my current role in Public Health. My goal is to become a Public Health Practitioner and I can achieve this through either a master’s degree or portfolio through my work placement. I’ve chosen to take the portfolio route, which will take me a little longer, but it suits my home life and makes it more manageable. The knowledge I learnt from my university course has given me the motivation to keep achieving, especially in areas that once would have held me back.

The advice I would give to undergraduates interested in this career path would be to never hold back because of fear. I was turned down twice for a place on the course, but I never gave up and it was the best thing I ever did – I loved every second!

* We no longer offer Health Studies and Applied Social Care BA (Hons), but we offer Health and Social Care Practice BA (Hons) or Health Sciences BSc (Hons).