Level 7 Degree: Emma's Journey

The degree program is a three year Level 7 course, like the apprenticeship it involves a small number of days per year (nineteen) off the shop floor in a blend of classroom, workplace and online learning. Those involved in the programme are paid in full for their ‘Learning Days’ and counted to your normal working week. 

The qualification is a full Level 7 degree in Business with a special focus on RETAIL MANAGEMENT, with an optional add on year for a level 8 Honors Qualification.

We are delighted to share Emma Morrow's journey on the programme today as she moves towards the end of her first year on the programme. Emma started with Kelco in 2022 and was promoted to store manager in our DONEGAL TOWN branch in 2023.

We are so proud of Emma, her journey, commitment and dedication are unmatched so I can’t think of anyone better qualified to talk about the programme than her.

Over to you Emma…

How did you find out about the course?

I first heard about the course when Mark mentioned it to me. I didn’t think too much of it at first, but I got curious and looked it up online and attended an online information session which gave me more information of what it was about. After that, I went back to Mark with a bunch more questions ha-ha

What made you go for it?

Going back into education was always at the back of my mind but I wasn’t sure how it would work with a full time job. What really sold me on the course was the chance to build on the experience I already have, while getting a proper qualification to back it up. Being able to keep working full time and apply what I’m learning straight away just made it a no brainer. It felt like the right move to keep progressing without hitting pause on everything else.

Experience going to the first session?

I’ll not lie- walking into that first session I was thinking, what am I getting myself back into here? But honestly, as soon as I walked into the room, I felt totally at ease and any doubts I had disappeared. The room was full of 50/60 people from every kind of retail background and from all over the country. You had everything from 20yr old sales advisors to 60yr old business owners. It was so interesting hearing everyone’s stories and why they had decided to take the course and what they wanted to get out of it. And sure enough all 50/60 of us headed out for lunch together then (wasn’t easy getting us all in somewhere) That first day was such a good ice breaker and we got loads of info about what to expect going forward, which really helped settle the nerves.

Best moments so far?

Definitely Every time I’ve gotten my assignment results back lol. It’s been about 15 years since I last did any proper studying so jumping back into things like referencing and these new academic skills have been…interesting. I didn’t know what to expect but I’ve ended up doing much better than I thought so it’s been a huge confidence boost. Meeting so many people in different backgrounds and with different experiences has also been a highlight. We’ve had some great laughs and helped each other out with assignments and exams. Knowing we’re all in the same boat figuring it out together is reassuring.

Biggest challenge so far?

The biggest challenge so far has definitely been trying to balance everything- work, assignments, studying for exams, and still have some sort of home and social life. It’s been a real juggling act and I won’t pretend that I’ve it totally mastered yet! Figuring out the Luas was also a challenge in itself lol. How hard could it be I thought…. Well I’ve defo had the lost tourist look about me a few times..

How does the course fit in with you career progression?

The great thing about this course is how many different areas of retail it covers- everything from law and loss prevention to data analysis, performance management, marketing and finance. It’s really opened my eyes to just how many paths there are within the industry. To be honest, where I thought I wanted to be a year from now is already shifting. As I learn more and hear from other people’s experiences, it’s making me think differently about what’s possible. This course is helping me figure out not just where I want to go within the company, but also giving me the skills and knowledge to actually get there.

What advice would you give someone thinking about applying?

I’d 100% say go for it! But be ready to commit. Balancing it all isn’t always easy but if you’re serious about progressing in your career and developing yourself, it’s so worth it. The support is there and the content is genuinely interesting. It’s great that we have the opportunity there to do this course, and its not often you can learn, up skill and still work full time.

What would you say to someone nervous about doing exams again.

I’d say that you’re probably more prepared than you think! A lot of the assignments are based on real work situations, so you have your own experience there already. The lecturers are great, really supportive and give loads of guidance, so as long as you put the effort in, you’ll be grand. There’s also a class WhatsApp group where everyone shares tips and helps each other out. I was a bit wary of all the coursework at first, but once you get started and get that first module over you, you’ll fly it.

Thanks so much to Emma for sharing her story and advice, I for one am looking forward to seeing her graduate in the near future! We're rooting for you Emma!

If you want to learn more about the program there’s a weekly information session each Wednesday at 10.30am LINK TO JOIN.