Kellie Duggan – MA Early Childhood Studies ‘Brought Immense Inspiration and Awakening’

Kellie Duggan, an early years educator and setting owner, says gaining her MA in Early Childhood Studies was so much more than a practical stepping stone.

It brought her back to her roots and gave her new purpose and meaning in her role.

“Throughout my career in Early Years, I had launched and managed three early years services since 2007, but over time, I found myself at a crossroads, ​and with the feeling that I needed more in terms of gaining personal satisfaction from my chosen career.

“Hence ​I decided to commence on the Masters with Portobello.  I had no real expectations, all I knew is that professionally I felt somewhat restricted and viewed the Masters as a practical, and desperately needed stepping stone so I could veer away from managing the centre’s and head towards a differing role.

“However, I realised quickly that the Master’s was much more than a practical stepping stone! Almost immediately the content of the Master’s brought immense inspiration and awakening, bringing me back to a core being of valuing and remembering why I embraced early years all those years ago, re-establishing newfound confidence and motivation within my practice and leadership. 

“Through gaining in-depth knowledge across a wide array of early years aspects, I found a new professional platform that offered critical awareness and inspiration.

“I became once again motivated to lead in progressive, and dynamic early years standards of practice relevant to the child of today’s world.

“The in-depth research that the Master’s provides, repositioned me on a path of awakened professionalism and practice.

“Moreover, newfound inner confidence emerged, which now fully excites me in developing standards of excellence within my own personal truths of early years, refocusing back on what actually matters to the early years child and educator,” she said.

If you are inspired by Kellie’s journey, get in touch with our early years admissions advisor Jennifer Matteazzi about fulfilling your potential in early childhood studies. You can email [email protected], call 01 892 0031 or book a free consultation call at your preferred time here.