Meet our 2024 graduates – Sarah Brown

Across Graduation 2024, thousands of students took to the stage to celebrate their completed degrees.

In the Meet our 2024 graduates series, we introduce you to a handful of these alumni who have made the most of their time at Portsmouth.

Last month we met with Sarah Brown, a BSc (Hons) Mathematics graduate from the Faculty of Technology.  We learnt of Sarah’s bravery in leaping from a steady career to a degree so she could change paths and follow her passions, all whilst being a full-time single parent. 

Here’s her story.

Please tell us about applying for your degree.

In 2020, I was working as a Headhunter. I have always been passionate about maths and wanted to complete a degree but it was never the right time. Having a child made the thought of it even more daunting. 

During the first lockdown, I was unsure of my earnings through furlough as my job was commission-based. It seemed like the best time to take the financial risk so I decided to look into a degree.

I contacted the University of Portsmouth and they promptly responded by taking details of my past grades and education. They rang me back and said I could start next month, so I said okay, handed in my notice and completed my Student Finance application. In a way, I’m glad it was happening so fast as if I had any more time to think about it, I might’ve talked myself out of it!

How did it feel starting your degree as a mature student?

I was scared, to be honest. I am a full-time mum, with just me at home and I made the decision back then to cut out our sole source of income. I was also worried about being surrounded by people from a different generation and if I would do well as I had been out of education for a while. I was also nervous about being left behind.

I had to start four weeks later than everyone else due to the fact my son was on the shielded list. By the time I joined, we only had a few weeks in-person then we moved online. If anything, I think this made it easier for me to make friends

Did you face any challenges during your time at Portsmouth?

There were certain lessons I couldn’t make as I could only attend during school times. But the University was understanding and if I did miss one, they gave me the materials.

Throughout my studies, I had to be very careful with money. The Parents’ Learning Allowance was great but it didn’t really make a dent. I spent a lot of time looking up support and learned that you could get childcare through the Student Loan Company. I also picked up work where I could as a student ambassador - they were incredibly flexible around my availability which brought in extra money.

Coming out of COVID was hard as everything was going back to how it was before. The second year was a struggle because of it. I am also the Head of Coaching for Havant Rugby Club and Musical Director for Hayling Young Stars - a youth musical theatre group. Balancing everything was not easy and there were moments of stress and panic.

What were some of your highlights?

Out of 18 modules across the three years, I got firsts in 17 of them (and was only a few marks from a first in the other). I am very proud of the results I achieved, all of the hard work definitely paid off. To be honest, I still struggle to believe I did that well.

A day that stands out for me was the Career Fair in my first year of uni. When I joined, I didn’t know what I could do with a Maths degree other than being a Maths Teacher. I never dreamed I could be working for the MOD as a Scientist - I didn’t think I was clever or knew enough. 

During the Fair, I spoke with a Portsmouth graduate who worked at DSTL. We spoke about the opportunity and he told me to go for it – what did I have to lose?

Being a mature student, I felt as though I had to justify why I went back to university. Not being a typical graduate, I felt as though the placement year would set me up and make me more employable. 

With some help from the University of Portsmouth Placement Team, I applied for it and got it! This was a real highlight. 

Can you tell us more about the placement and job offer?

It was an Industrial Placement role. DSTL brings in students purely to give them a current experience of what it’s like to work there.

I got involved in seven projects whilst I was there for the year which gave me lots of experience and allowed me to develop my skill set. This was great because they gave me as much responsibility as I wanted. They recognised I wasn’t a typical industry student so they gave me autonomy to do what I wanted to do. The fact they gave me this opportunity was incredible.

During my final year, I continued working for them under a zero-hour contract. For my final year project my supervisor, Dr Jamie Foster, allowed me to work on something I’d done at work instead of one of those on the list. In turn, it meant he had to look up extra information which was good of him.

DSTL offered me a job for when I completed my degree, which was great having one lined up. I started working for them as a Scientist in early July.  I have walked straight back into a project and it feels like I never left which is lovely. I have a very exciting project coming up too on a more strategic level.

What did you get up to on your graduation day?

I wasn't really sure what to expect on the day, but it was really lovely. My son was asking how long he would have to sit still for but my family and a friend were there with him for the ceremony.

We went to a celebration in Portland for students ahead of this and afterwards we went for a meal.

I felt immensely proud, quite overwhelmed and very relieved!

A special thanks

Several people really helped me through university. My tutor Sergi who was always understanding, Emily from the team Placements who read and reread my application several times, and Kelly from the Careers Team who did the same. Thomas and Maria were both great lecturers and I really enjoyed their subjects, Jamie, my project supervisor, and finally Clare, my mentor, who was utterly invaluable.