From a 10 Year Career in Childcare to Retraining in Accounting – Jess’s leap of faith pays off!

My Journey from Childcare to Accounting – Every Move Forward Begins with a Leap of Faith!

Prior to attending the University of Chester I was helping young children find their wonder, curiosity and imagination in the world, running a successful childcare setting. Whilst I was on this journey for 10 years, I found myself curious of my own path of personal learning. From a young age I had an entrepreneurial mindset and a love for business especially the numbers side. It was at this time I took the leap of faith and gave up everything I had known to rejoin the education system with the hopes of becoming a Chartered Management Accountant.  I haven’t looked back since choosing to study Accounting and Finance here at Chester.

It’s Not What You Know, It’s Who You Know- the Importance of Networking

The opportunities that I have had since starting my journey at the University of Chester have enabled me to develop my potential within my field and build on my connections.

Throughout my three years at the University I have embraced the opportunities in order to expand my support network and it all began from my first experience in level 4.  In 2023 I was asked to attend the Graduation and Beyond ’23 Conference to speak to the guest speakers on arrival and I gladly accepted.

With a bit of banter thrown around about practice and industry, business cards exchanged, my friend and I were asked to send our CV through to a particular company. Whilst practice, (financial accounting), is not for me, my friend has now been employed by UHY Hacker Young since the Summer of ’23 and I have been asked to carry out the task of bookkeeping on a part-time basis for an accountancy firm that is new to Chester.  Bookkeeping is a job that I have carried out within my own business and was my first step into the accounting world before University. I believe the opportunity will potentially further help expand on my connections and I am looking forward to returning to working in this field.

I have recently also attended the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) Student Ball, and whilst I am not a member of ICAEW, I was given the opportunity by UHY Hacker Young. These opportunities would not have come about if I had not attended the Conference and engaged in those conversations, which has enabled me to further build on my support network.

The Importance of Opportunity

With my goal to become a Management Accountant, I was pleased to have the opportunity to build on my previous business experience through the Venture Program.  This is 
an amazing program supporting student entrepreneurs to develop their business ideas, run by the University.

With a million business ideas floating around in my head, I took the chance to do something that I am passionate about without taking my time away from studying. For 5 weeks I was able to focus on my business idea with relevant support, resources and further opportunities of networking that were on hand within the Venture Program. 

Although I had run a business in the past, I was keen to take the time to delve deeper into research around the potential for a board game café within Chester. A little passion of mine which had potential and several side investments from the one creation.  

The Venture Program brought my attention to various aspects of social media marketing that I hadn’t considered and enhanced my knowledge of writing a business plan. The most challenging aspect of running your own business will always be the fact that you are in charge of your own time keeping. With no one telling you what to do and when to do it. It is a skill to learn especially when you don’t plan for the events which are unforeseeable but still have to be dealt with, a skill that has made me proficient in being quick to adapt to change.

Whilst my board game café is on the back burner for the moment.  I shall be looking at joining the Venture Program again this year to follow up other ideas that I have.

Conquering my Fear of Speaking

I have a fear of speaking in front of people, but a love for helping people grow and all the opportunities that I’ve had during my degree have helped me to develop my skills, including speaking!

From taking the chance on the opportunity given to me by the University at my first networking event in 2023 I have gone from strength to strength. I have become a Student Voice Representative, a Peer Mentor, and a Master of Ceremony at the Graduation and Beyond ’24 Conference.  I have begun building my second business, started a job in my future field, been a speaker for the Level 4 Introduction, and had the opportunity to be part of the Graduation and Beyond ’25 Conference… and hopefully conquering my fears!

Togetherness, Co-operation and Support

On reflection of my time at University, I have seen first-hand that these elements are part of the values that make up the University of Chester.  They can be seen within the social events offered by student services, the vast range of resources on-hand from CV writing and assignment checking to mental health support.  

I have truly felt support from the course staff throughout each of my three years. I have laughed, I have cried, I have discussed my life, my goals, I have been pointed in the direction of help, I have been given advice and people to speak to in order to fulfil my aims. I would not have achieved all that I have without the support of the lecturers within my course. I can wholeheartedly tell you that the staff truly care and I have been blessed to have had them teach me. 

Whilst I am unsure of the path ahead of me, I shall continue to take steps each day towards my goals, I know with the support around me I will succeed.

My advice is to take the leap, build relationships with those around you and embrace the opportunities on offer - you never know where they will take you.

Want to find out more?

Visit our Chester Business School pages to find out about all of our degrees, including Accounting and Finance. Alternatively, you can find out about opportunities to visit us here.