My Route to Studying a PGCE 

by | Jan 21, 2025 | Education, Postgraduate | 0 comments

Sometimes, the unexpected paths in life are the best ones. This has been true for my experience transitioning from engineering into teaching. I always envisioned achieving a professional qualification, which led me to complete a bachelor’s degree in engineering from my home country, gain experience as a mechanical engineer, and eventually pursue a master’s in mechanical engineering, fully committed to advancing in this profession. 

My parents have always been deeply involved in education, running their own institutions and creating an environment where teaching and learning are highly valued. While I had some experience in education growing up, I never imagined it would become my career. While searching for an engineering job, I took on a role as a supply teacher. To my surprise, I discovered how much I enjoyed teaching, interacting with students, sharing knowledge, and seeing the positive impact I could have. Each encounter with new people was an opportunity to learn and grow, which made teaching even more rewarding. 

Being an extrovert, I began to think about teaching more seriously. I looked for professional development and discovered the PGCE program. It was a novel and truly captivating experience. Moving from engineering to teaching was not an easy choice because solving technical problems differs from guiding young minds to solve them. However, with my technical background and passion for STEM, I joined the Engineers Teach Physics program at The University of Manchester. This program was the perfect fit for me because physics relates to mechanical engineering, and subject knowledge was not a big issue. 

Teaching is not just about delivering lessons. It is about creating curiosity and helping students learn how to think. It can be challenging for students to understand physics from textbooks when they cannot connect it to real-world examples, however, I want to help them see how exciting and valuable physics can be. 

Why Manchester? 

I had two other choices, but I selected The University of Manchester because of its academic ranking, its status as a member of the Russell Group, and its location in the heart of a vibrant city. The city offers a mix of modern facilities and historic culture, and The University has students from various parts of the world, making international students feel included. It is an excellent place to grow and develop. 

The PGCE program at Manchester is a ten-month course. It includes three placements in two different schools. These placements offer invaluable hands-on teaching experience, and the support of a mentor helps trainees work on their strengths and build confidence. The experience of working in different schools is enriching, as it allows you to grow personally and professionally. It not only helps in teaching but also in gaining self-confidence in the classroom and the ability to inspire students, making it an exciting and fulfilling experience. 

Advice: 

For those considering a transition into teaching or seeking professional training to enhance their educational careers, a PGCE program would be a great opportunity. It could be an overwhelming experience because sometimes it is difficult to manage the workload, including academic assignments, lesson planning, classroom placements, and personal commitments. The key to managing is to have a dynamic mindset; prioritising tasks, staying organised, and setting realistic goals can make a substantial difference. PGCE offers professional development opportunities through teaching and exploring the world with this internationally recognised certification. 

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