Sarah Armstead
Business & Enterprise Level 3
2006
Studying on the business course at LMC will open up numerous doors for your future, so if you can see business as a key part of your future and are prepared to seize every opportunity, our course will be the most amazing thing you ever sign up for.
Courses taught: Business & Enterprise Level 3
When did you start working at LMC?
I started working at LMC in July 2006 as part of the CIS (College Information Services) Team. Since then, my career with LMC has seen me working as part of the faculty administration team before qualifying as a teacher in 2015. I am now a course tutor for the Business & Enterprise Level 3 program and have also recently been appointed as the Training Development Lead in Digital & IT with the Employer Engagement Department, strengthening and extended my connections within the business world, meaning I can pass on more relevant information and opportunities to my learners.
What did you do prior to working here?
For as long as I can remember, when asked what I wanted to do when I grew up, my answer was the same, ‘I want to be a teacher’. It came as a bit of a shock to be told at high school that this may not be the best route for me and asked had I considered doing anything else!?! In short, I had not considered anything else but with university deadlines approaching I changed my whole career plan and applied to study Business & Information Technology at UCLan. Hindsight now confirms this was one of the best things I ever did. Following a 4 year uni course that enabled me to work for Lloyds TSB in London for a year as part of my placement, I graduated with a 1st class (Hons) Degree. The proudest moment of my life was collecting my degree, knowing that my hard work and dedication had paid off with the best result. Whilst working at LMC I have also combined my business knowledge with my baking obsession and opened my own business, Sarah’s Cakes & Bakes, where I can be found baking up a storm if I am not at college or marking work!
What brought you to LMC?
I have a passion for education and a thirst for knowledge and working for an education provider meant that I was able to be a part of an organisation where learning and development form the core of the business even if I was not teaching.
What is your favourite thing about your job?
Students!!! From seeing them grow in confidence and gain new skills, supporting them to achieve things they never dreamed they could or helping them to believe in themselves and their own abilities, it’s such a rewarding job. I thrive on the challenge of motivating or inspiring them through the variety of topics we cover and ensuring that their employability skills are constantly being improved and strengthened to prepare them for their future whether that is at university, in an apprenticeship, on a degree apprenticeship or in a full time job.
What is the best thing about the course(s) you teach?
It’s 100% relevant to real life. Business is all around, whether you are a customer, or you work for someone or open your own company, you can utilise the topics we cover in class to improve your knowledge and awareness. The course not only teaches you various aspects of business, like marketing, management, communication, etc. but it also supports the development of key life/employability skills like team work, confidence, time management and organisation. No matter where you see your future it is the perfect gateway to begin your journey into a world of business.
What are the best bits about working at College?
The hard working, supportive staff. Everyone who works here, is here because they want to make a difference and enrich the lives of our learners so we all have the same goal and it’s the friends we have here at LMC that makes the job amazing. Whether you need help and advice, new creative lesson ideas or just a brew and a chat everyone is there for you and it makes the job that bit easier knowing your support network and friends understand and are there for you. I wouldn’t be where I am today without my LMC family. Plus we have an ice-cream counter for when coffee just doesn’t cut it!!!
What would you say to someone who was thinking about joining your course?
In the words of Eminem “If you have one shot, one opportunity, to seize everything you ever wanted, in one moment, would you capture it, or let it slip?” Studying on the business course at LMC will open up numerous doors for your future, so if you can see business as a key part of your future and are prepared to seize every opportunity, our course will be the most amazing thing you ever sign up for.
YOUR TUTOR(S)
Teaching is my favourite part of the role, I love being able to help people reach that lightbulb moment in class! I also enjoy being able to inspire the next generation of Residential workers.
The course gives people experiences of business in many forms which can be used in a huge variety of possible future careers – past students have gone on to work in sectors as diverse as fashion, charities, social media, nuclear energy, defence manufacturing and the public sector.
Industry specific apprenticeships are a great way to learn new skills and knowledge, achieve a recognised qualification and earn a wage. Customer service is the corner stone of every successful business, and courses at LMC will help you identify, improve and introduce these skills successfully.
I enjoy being part of the team and thinking of new ways to support local businesses in realising their potential. Watching learners transition from a one-day course to gaining qualifications motivates me to continue teaching at LMC.
Behind every great business is a fantastic accountant! AAT qualifications are highly valued and they can really push you to achieve great things in your career. The whole team at LMC are dedicated and excited about giving you the best possible start in your new journey!
It’s really difficult to state just one thing I love about working at Lancaster & Morecambe College because there are so many! I really wanted to work here because the college has a fantastic reputation. I love introducing new ways of working and keeping up with relevant trends to improve the course, and I really enjoy the supportive environment that we create for our students.
ALUMNI
Jonathan Timmis
Daniel Stainer
Julie Roseanne Pal
Alemayehu Fikade
Emily Leeming-Bowles
Fabrizia Todd
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