Opportunities open up for Art & Design student after work experience success

East Sussex College student Holly Ryan is studying for a UAL Foundation Diploma in Art & Design, and has been given three offers in the space of a week as she looks to make a decision on her future after college.

Holly has been offered a place at one of the best university courses for jewellery making. She has also been offered a job at Andra Jewels after an incredible week of work experience, and the opportunity to do a degree apprenticeship in Jewellery.

Speaking about her successful week of work experience at Andra Jewels, Holly said, “It all started with one phone call to a local jeweller asking for work experience. I rang up to ask and they said that they didn’t make their jewellery here, but in Birmingham.

“This was where I hoped to go to university, so I was able to arrange a week’s work experience up in Birmingham, as well as an interview at the university in the same week.”

She added, “I loved my work experience; they gave me so much attention and I made a range of silver jewellery, a material I had never used before. At the end of the week, they offered me a job and also an opportunity to train as a degree apprentice. I now have the dilemma of what to do!”

Dylan Carbonell-Ferrer, Art & Design tutor at East Sussex College Eastbourne, said, “I encourage all my students to make that phone call or write that email. It’s amazing what opportunities are out there if you just ask.

“Holly did just that. All credit goes to her for managing to arrange everything to happen in one week. A big thanks goes to Andra Jewels for giving Holly such an amazing experience, and she also gets to keep all the jewellery she made. How good is that!”

If you’re interested in studying Art & Design at East Sussex College, please click here to see what courses are on offer.