Razan Alshakshuki – Health and Social Care

Name: Razan Alshakshuki

Course Name: Health and Social Care

Course Type: College Courses

Image caption: Razan Alshakshuki in a graduation cap and gown

A former college student who has just graduated with a first-class degree in public health from the University of Wolverhampton credits her tutor at North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire (NWSLC) with the advice that steered her towards a career she loves.

Razan Alshakshuki from Nuneaton moved to the UK from Libya in 2011 and completing GCSEs at Nuneaton Academy, joined NWSLC to study health and social care. Her tutor Gill Spenceley recognised Razan’s enthusiasm for the subject and recommended a pathway into public health. Razan has since moved on to complete a four-year Foundation Degree at the University of Wolverhampton and is about to start a Master’s degree at the University of Warwick.

Razan said, “I always wanted to work in healthcare but couldn’t decide whether to train as a dentist, doctor, or midwife. I didn’t know anything about public health and Gill opened my eyes to this fascinating career route. She helped me to see that I could work to help entire communities rather than just one individual at a time.

“I want to become an epidemiologist and work to identify the source of disease outbreaks and how to prevent their spread. I was inspired by the work of the scientists during the COVID pandemic as they assessed the emerging data and made predictions. After completing my Masters, I plan to remain in education for now and work towards achieving a Doctorate in public health. In the future, I am interested in working with the World Health Organisation possibly in the Middle East, in Kuwait or Dubai.”

“I am so grateful to NWSLC for opening my eyes to this fantastic career which I would have known nothing about if I hadn’t gone to college. I would urge young people to follow their interests and talk to the experts because you never know what pathways might be revealed to you.”