When Erin O’Keefe started Year 11, she felt like a timer had started with it: hospital appointments, medical investigations, and everyone expecting her to decide her future.
“The past year was hectic for me,” the 16-year-old from Port Talbot said. “I went through several hospitals and medical investigations. Then at the start of Year 11, I felt like I had some sort of timer.”
“I didn’t have a clue what to do. I felt like there was pressure on me to go to college. But I wanted it to be my decision, on my own terms.”
Erin is deaf, and proud of who she is, but says there are challenges people do not always see.
“Being deaf is the norm for me,” she said. “People don’t always see me as deaf because I speak well and my implants aren’t obvious.”
“I am still deaf. I am still disabled. I miss conversations, especially in group settings. Sometimes I get left out without people realising.”
Wanting support, she met Debbie Devonald, the Careers Wales adviser based at her school. “She was very easy to talk to,” Erin said. “She said she saw a lot of students just like me.”
Together they explored her interests, art and English among them, and the pathways open after school. Careers Wales says Erin grew more confident as she realised she did not need everything figured out straight away.
The adviser also worked alongside Erin’s school, family and additional learning needs teams, so that colleges understood her communication and support needs.
The turn came from her own story. After giving an English presentation about deafness in Year 10, she realised she wanted to support other deaf young people.
“I want to become some sort of deaf therapist, someone who understands and helps teenagers build confidence,” she said.
Sociology and health and social care A levels turned out to be a route towards exactly that. “You can imagine my glee when I found out they were a perfect step,” she said. “Debbie suggested them as options. I then did my own research with my mother and visited the college.”
She has now applied to study sociology, health and social care and fine art A levels.
“Before, I thought I’d just do anything and end up with nothing to do with my life. It was miserable,” she said. “Debbie helped me realise I didn’t have to make one decision that sets everything. Now I’m excited about what’s next.”
“I don’t let my deafness hold me back. And I want other deaf young people to know they don’t have to either.”
For anyone unsure of their next step after results day, Careers Wales’ Working Wales service offers advice by phone, email and webchat on university, apprenticeships, training and work, with its online assistant available around the clock.
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