Gaining outcomes in education and employment
I did some IELTS courses and practiced mock tests with the Breaking Barriers team. After I passed, I applied to SOAS University and London Metropolitan University. Hannah helped me with writing a cover letter and preparing all the documents. Both offered me a place. I chose London Metropolitan University to do translation. I completed the course in 2020, two years after I arrived in the UK.
Breaking Barriers also offered me a volunteer role. I helped with preparing education materials, making calls, writing emails and office work. This enhanced my confidence, my knowledge of the work environment in the UK, improved my communication skills, and my knowledge of the cultural aspects of the workplace. It also helped me to build my IT skills, which was very important to start my studies and my career, working as a freelance translator and content writer for a fashion company.
Rebuilding a career
In the last year, I contacted Breaking Barriers again. I’d had to take a break from work because my baby had health problems, and I needed help to update my CV. The caseworkers have been really, really helpful. One caseworker built several CVs to match several roles for translation, interpreting and transcription jobs. I also practiced mock interviews with him. Because he was an Arabic speaker, we practiced in English and Arabic, just to make sure all the information was there.
I have found a job translating on video calls, and I have also registered with several translation agencies. In the future, I hope for two things: to establish a good career to support myself, and then to achieve a PHD.
