From tattoos to teaching: Richard’s career transition journey

After two decades of working in studios as a professional tattoo artist, Richard Smith decided it was time for a bold new chapter and is swapping tattooing for teaching.

Richard joined our Access to Higher Education (HE) Creative Arts course after deciding to formally gain some art qualifications and undertake a degree in Fine Art.

“I've been a tattoo artist for 20 years and decided to formally get some art qualifications,” said Richard. “I’m 42 years old now and started thinking I want to do something different. From that I decided that I probably had the skills to be able to teach.”

Returning to the Classroom

Richard had previously completed a BTEC in programming as a teenager, however he found returning to education as a mature student was a completely different experience.

“Being a mature student, you put way more in and take things way more seriously than I would have at 18,” he reflects. “It’s nerve-wracking being my age and coming back to college, but I’ve fitted straight in. It’s been fun, really.

“The course really brings you up to a level where you can do well in Higher Education.

“I got an unconditional offer for university, so I didn't need to do this course, but I wouldn't know half the things that I do now, so it's been well worth it just for knowledge and confidence in what it is I want to do.”

Pushing Creative and Academic Boundaries

The Access to HE Creative Arts course gave Richard the opportunity to develop his artistic practice beyond tattooing, trying out new disciplines and working with professional equipment and facilities.

“I’ve been a huge collector of ceramics for years, but I’d never actually touched clay before,” he says. “I’ve been in the ceramics studio for the past eight months every single day practically and got better and better. I can make things now; it’s been a huge breakthrough.

“I like printing, so having the print studio and all the facilities there have been great. I've been doing things that just wouldn't be doing at home.”

The course also challenged Richard academically, requiring him to complete written reflections, evaluations and essays as part of his creative development.

“I’ve found that I have more to say now than previously. I’m more reflective and see things more critically.”

A Clear Path Forward

Now, with his Access course complete, Richard will spend the next three years studying a Fine Art Degree at Sheffield Hallam University and then plans to go on to do a PGCE.

He already has teaching experience through an agency, as well as at Barnsley College, and plans to continue working in Further Education and even Higher Education once qualified.

If you are considering making a career change or going back to university as a mature student, find out more about our Access to Higher Education courses, or Higher Education courses on offer at Barnsley College University Centre.