My Success Story - Edna Duarte

I started studying at City College and when I joined the Pre-Entry course, the first days were challenging. I could barely understand English, and that made me feel insecure and nervous. However, despite the difficulty, I kept going.

Luckily, I had the privilege of meeting amazing teachers who not only taught me, but also motivated me to believe in my potential. Gradually, what seemed like an insurmountable barrier began to fade away. With their help and support, my confidence grew, and I started to see learning as an opportunity rather than an obstacle. From that moment on, my life began to change.

I completed several courses, including English ESOL, Maths, ICT Computer, The Cost of Living Crisis: Future Proof Your Finances and NCFE Level 2 Certificate in Principles of Customer Service. Each of these courses opened new doors and gave me a broader set of skills. They not only helped me develop valuable abilities, but also prepared me for something bigger.

The Career Advice team also helped me a lot. They supported me in writing my CV, taught me how to apply for jobs, and prepared me for interviews. This guidance was really helpful in building my confidence and helping me to find a job.

A major milestone in my journey was when I applied for a job at City College Peterborough itself. To my delight, I was successful! In January, I celebrated two years working as an Administrator with a fantastic team that supports and inspires me every day. It’s a job that fills me with pride, and more than that, it's proof of how much I've grown since that first day.

If I could share one piece of advice with anyone starting their own journey, it would be this: don't give up, even when things seem tough. Learning is a process, and with dedication, support, and patience, you can overcome any challenge. Looking back, every obstacle I faced was an opportunity to grow and get closer to my dreams.

City College was the place where my transformation began, and I am forever grateful for everyone who has been part of this journey. The future fills me with hope, and I know that what I’ve learned here will continue to guide me and open new paths. With dedication and support, you can overcome any challenge. Looking back, I see that every challenge helped me grow and get closer to my goals.

City College was where my journey started, and I am so grateful for all the support I received. I feel excited for the future and confident that what I’ve learned will continue to help me in life.