My university journey: how it changed my life by Ruth Carlson

Since joining the Office for Students’ (OfS) Board and Student Panel, I have often been asked about my motivations and my route to higher education. For me, it was simple. I knew I wanted to learn a skill and gain a profession; the one that suited my talents was civil engineering. I have been privileged with the opportunities of higher education and a wealth of experience at university. I am the youngest of six children and the first in my family to go to university. My parents always instilled a ‘can do’ attitude. Nothing was ever too big. I plucked a few strings of a guitar when I was 10 so my mum pushed me to get guitar lessons. I was similarly supported by many key people in my route to university. Read More.