Today we share Caitlin’s story. Caitlin left school after 6th year and moved to Elgin to study an HNC in Social Services at UHI Moray.
What did you do after you left school?
I always wanted to work with children and had toyed with the idea of being a primary teacher, then randomly a forensic scientist, back to a primary teacher then thought I might do educational psychology. Psychology was my favourite subject in school, and I thought it might open different doors.
I left school after 6th year and didn’t quite get the grades I wanted for my dream university so went through clearing last minute and moved from Kirriemuir to Elgin to attend UHI Moray and did my HNC in Social Sciences, overcoming the challenges of balancing studying and working away from home.
I then went away to my dream university in Edinburgh to do a BSc (Hons) Psychology but did not settle in the course or the city. So, I took the scary leap to leave after just three months. I was so nervous because I had worked hard to get there and didn’t love it and I didn’t know what I was going to do instead.
What did you do next?
I moved back to Elgin and worked in Tesco for a little while till the new academic year started. I applied and got into Primary Teaching in Aberdeen and Dundee but wanted to stay in Elgin, so I decided to do a BA Child and Youth Studies and eventually do a PDGE in Teaching at UHI afterwards. However, I was too late for those courses so applied to do my HNC in Childhood Practice.
Although not in the plans I am so glad I did as it helped me secure jobs in a nursery as an early year’s practitioner and as a pupil support assistant in a school while I was studying.
My career in early years
After my HNC Childhood Practice and while doing a BA Child and Youth Studies, I gained the role as senior early years practitioner. I fell in love with early years and decided to swap my degree to BA Childhood Practice which would allow me to register as a nursery manager in the future.
In 2020 the opportunity to manage two local authority nurseries came along and I’m proud of my contribution to the implementation of 1140 Early Learning and Childcare Policy and the role I had in the development of services throughout COVID-19.
How did you move into learning and development?
My favourite part of being a nursery manager was supporting staff with their personal and professional development and improving services. That is what drew me to the learning and development role at the SSSC. I am a Learning and Development Adviser in the Workforce Development Team, but I am now on secondment to the Digital Learning Team. I love learning and have plans to continue doing qualifications and seizing opportunities for development wherever I can.
What have you learnt?
When I didn’t get into university straight away my mum told me, “What is for you, won’t go by you”. I was devastated at the time but now I can say with absolute certainty that is so true. If I had gone with my original planned path I wouldn’t have had the experiences, job and learning opportunities or met my husband. So, I would say, yes, I always have a plan but I am also prepared to adapt it, planned or unplanned.