There's no reason you can't change course; I came to the university as a geography student. But after taking a couple of Russian classes I was hooked!

How has your qualification helped you in your career?

When working in a bi-lingual workplace and working as a translator, the knowledge of both Russian language and culture I gained from my undergraduate degree, as well as translations skills from my postgraduate studies, have naturally helped me a great deal.

What is your greatest achievement to date?

Some of my translations for a human rights NGO were recently included in the United States Library of Congress web archive, having been deemed historically/culturally important. This of course made me very proud.

What were your previous academic qualifications?

I have 4 A levels (A*-B) from Colchester Royal Grammar School

What were your career aspirations when you were younger?

I can't quite recall but I imagine it would have been music-related.

What impact has attending University had on you?

I was given the opportunity to study things I never would have been able to otherwise. It also allowed me to practice a bit of self-discipline with essay writing and time management.

What advice would you give to young people considering University?

Think very carefully about what you actually want to study. 3 (or even 4 or 5) years is a very long time. That being said, there's no reason you can't change course like I did! I came to the university as a geography student. But after taking a couple of Russian classes in first year I was hooked.

Why did you choose Sheffield? / What sets Sheffield apart from other Universities?

I initially chose Sheffield having been thoroughly impressed by the atmosphere of the city itself.

What did you most enjoy about your time at Sheffield?

Sheffield as a city is one of my favourite places in the world. It has everything you'd ever really want without being overwhelmingly large.

Would you recommend the University of Sheffield as a good place to study?

Absolutely, I have nothing but fond memories of my time studying in Sheffield.