Sunderland graduate lifts his career to new heights after Clearing call success

A Sunderland graduate has lifted his career to new heights after his Clearing call to the university was a success.

Gary Waller contacted the University of Sunderland when the foundation degree he had applied to do at Sunderland College fell through.

A call to the hotline enabled Gary, who is from Sunderland, to be enrolled directly onto a Business and Financial Management degree at the university.

“I decided to attend university to prove something to myself,” Gary said.

“I left school with few qualifications, but I also wanted to improve my job prospects.”

He graduated in 2015 and is now as Logistics Manager at Liebherr Sunderland Works Ltd.

Before joining the firm, which produces maritime cranes and cargo handling equipment, Gary had been in the Army and had worked for Nissan and as a taxi driver.

He added: “While at Sunderland I applied for a part time job at Liebherr through the University’s Careers and Employability Service.

“Effectively I started to work for Liebherr while I was in my second year at Sunderland.”

Following his success he is urging others to fulfil their potential – including his own family, who have all graduated, or are currently studying, at the University of Sunderland.

Gary graduated alongside his wife Debra, who went on to gain her MSc in Environmental Health and Safety, and now works as a Councillor at Sunderland City Council.

His daughter Elisha also graduated in 2015, then gained a PGCE in Computer Science Education in 2016, and now teaches at the University Technical College (UTC) South Durham.

His youngest daughter Stephanie is just about to enter the final year of a Broadcast Media Production degree – and they all studied at the University of Sunderland.

 

 

Gary said: “I would advise any student to attend an Open Day at the University. It is your chance to speak to lecturers and current students, and also find out more about the University’s excellent facilities, and about the city.”

The university’s Open Day on Tuesday 22 August is your chance to talk to academic staff about your interests, have a tour of the campus, and find out more about what financial help is available to you.

The Clearing Hotline is now open on 0191 5153000 and you can also find out more about options for study and what to do next online at: www.sunderland.ac.uk/clearing.

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