STUDENT STORY

MEET MIKE

MIKE MCKEOWN EXPLAINS HOW HIS BSC (HONS) SOCIAL POLICY DEGREE HELPED HIM TO GET A JOB MAKING A REAL DIFFERENCE TO PEOPLE’S LIVES BY SUPPORTING THOSE AT RISK OF HOMELESSNESS.

“Being the first in my family to go to University, I was anxious about even starting on a degree course, but I knew deep down I had to at least give it a go!

I remember the thumping of my heart knowing I had been accepted and just feeling proud to have even been given the chance. Looking back, I was very low on self-confidence and had no faith in my abilities, all I had was hope and an ambition to give back to society. That ambition was why I chose to study BSc Social Policy at the University of Salford. The course covers such a wide range of topics, a few of my favourites were Precarity and Insecure Lives, Ideologies and Housing. The housing module really engaged me – after analysing homelessness and the policies around it I decided to focus my dissertation on the topic.

I genuinely loved every minute studying on the course. The lectures were lively, inclusive and thought-provoking. I had ups and downs but the journey you go on is life-changing, the process certainly made me a better person. You’re not alone on this journey either, the lecturers are possibly the most passionate and caring people I have met. I would honestly say that the only reason I managed to get a First-Class Honours degree was because every time I needed support, reassurance or just a one to one sit down they were there for me. This brought the best out of me. Now I can safely say I know exactly what my abilities are and have faith in them. The course is designed in a way to improve your social skills, ability to debate with an open-mind and write in a way that is essential for breaking down complex information and highlighting key points. All of this has been essential in my life as a graduate.

Graduating was my proudest moment and not because I had a degree but because I felt like I had the ability make a real difference. Three weeks after graduating I found a job in the area that most interested me - I now work in homeless prevention as a housing specialist. My role allows me to go out and find people at risk of homelessness, identify their issues and then design a plan to prevent this. I work with social workers, mental health nurses, housing associations and private landlords. I connect the dots, negotiate and work out solutions to problems. There are no two days the same, and I get to use everything I have learnt during the course to give back and benefit those who need it most. I manage my own caseloads and also oversee staff while advising them on actions to take. This is a privilege I have gained from taking what I thought was a ‘risk’ and going to study Social Policy. The ‘risk’ paid off, I get to fight for people’s rights and help them stay off the streets while also pushing for policy change to ensure the future is brighter for everyone in our society and no individual is left without shelter. If you’re considering making a real difference this course will provide you with the tools you need, go for it!”

Find out more about our BSc (Hons) Social Policy course

salford.ac.uk/courses/ undergraduate/social-policy