Daniel Hogg combines foster parenting, working full-time and studying part-time and achieves academic success
The hard work of a determined new graduate from the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) has been rewarded with a First-Class degree.
Daniel Hogg has combined being a fully qualified foster carer, working full-time at BAE Systems Ltd in Samlesbury, and studying part-time at UCLan in Preston to graduate from the BEng (Hons) in Mechanical Maintenance Engineering.
The 25-year-old, from Blackburn, said: “To have started off as an apprentice at BAE Systems six years ago and now to have a degree is a great feeling and one which I am extremely proud of. Graduating was certainly an experience I will never forget.”
Daniel, who has been encouraged throughout this studies by his wife Ellie, had already completed apprenticeship qualifications prior to joining UCLan and this enabled him to top-up to a two-year part-time degree course.
The former Rhyddings Business and Enterprise School, in Oswaldtwistle, and St Christopher’s Sixth Form, in Accrington, pupil said: “Being a part-time student attending one day a week and holding down important workplace roles, as well as home life, was sometimes tricky. Getting that blend of delivering what I needed to do at work; completing assignments and exams as well as then still having time aside to do what I enjoy was critical to ensuring I remained motivated and positive to make everything a success.”
The senior manufacturing engineer, whose job involves technology insertion at BAE Systems and is responsible for improving the competitive position of manufacturing activities through the development and implementation of new manufacturing technologies, commented: “The course was very much geared around my job role at the time and gaining more knowledge and experience to support me in making that role a success. The broad subjects enabled me to have a far greater level of understanding and experience rather than being very specific in its nature. The quality of lectures and support from all was fantastic in helping everyone achieve the best they could. To be able to now come back into the business and put what I have learnt into practice is a great feeling of achievement.”
He added: “To be in such a privileged position with BAE Systems and getting all of these great opportunities, along with UCLan’s support to help me make what I thought was possible in achieving, is fantastic. This will enable me to encourage those around me to follow what they believe in but also to inspire my family in the future that if you put your mind to it anything is possible.”
