Progressing to Postgrad: Marcin

Posted on: 13 November 2024 by Kalbir Cross in Class of 2023

Marcin Koczenasz is a Class of 2023 Geography is a Teaching Assistant with SEN at King's Leadership Academy Hawthornes who is embarking on a PGCE.

How did you hear about your role and decide to apply for it?

Ever since I'd taken the 'Teaching Geography' module led by Dr. Andrew Plater whilst at University I have found myself constantly thinking about teaching as a career and how to get into it.

When I saw the role in King's Leadership Academy Hawthornes, I thought I would give it a go and apply, and to my happiest surprise, I got the place!

Since then, I have had amazing opportunities in my employment and have decided to pursue the career by starting a PGCE course in Secondary Education in Geography!             

How did you get to where you are now?

The amazing professors at the University of Liverpool, as well as my friends who have supported me the whole way, have really helped in shaping my future. They helped me carry on and pursue my dream, constantly telling me that I would make a good teacher and that they had wished they had someone like me growing up! It really motivated me a lot.  

Your favourite experience as part of your role?

My favourite experience is definitely helping the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities children. Helping them with their work, finding ways to explain things to them, and then seeing them finally understand the concept...

There's no feeling like it! Makes you feel like the proudest person because you see this student thrive and they are usually very thankful. My favourite thing a student has said to me which nearly made me cry, was that he will miss me and lessons just won't be as enjoyable because I won't be there and that I've been the person that gave him the most help in his life so far! 

The most challenging part of your graduate journey?

With so many opportunities, the hardest part was finding the job that was perfect for me, and the time it took. The constant applying to jobs and hoping that I can get through the interviews, or to the next stage can be quite demoralising, but the important part is to keep going because the right thing will eventually find you!

Even though it took me quite a while to find this job, I wouldn't have replaced it for anything else, and I would happily wait those couple months again if it meant I could get that job!       

Top 3 Tips for current students and graduates:

1. Don't be disheartened if you don't find a job you're looking for straight away. It may take some time, but it's important to keep on going because it will eventually turn up!

    

2. Enjoy your course! Try and meet as many professors and students as you can, after all for the next few years they will be the people that want to help you succeed the most!

    

3. Use the University teams to help you! Whether it's with mental health, writing essays, or in the Career Studio with job applications, they all do an amazing job that will surely help you!

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