Today we share Kristina’s story. Kristina left school to study to be a primary teacher. Now Workforce Development Manager at the SSSC, Kristina shares just some of the many jobs she’s had along the way.
What did you do after you left school?
When I left school, I was certain I knew what I wanted to do. I trained as a primary teacher and expected to spend my career in the classroom. While studying I discovered a passion for early years education. That led me in a different direction and started a career that has taken me far beyond anything I imagined when I received my own exam results.
What did you do next?
Throughout my career, I've rarely done just one thing at a time. My career has taken me through a variety of roles across early learning and childcare, learning and development, qualifications, leadership and workforce development.
Some of these roles include nursery teacher, nursery owner, SVQ assessor, college lecturer, learning and development adviser and even a pampered chef consultant.
Each opportunity helped me build new skills and broaden my experience. I've always been open to developing my knowledge, gaining new qualifications and saying yes to opportunities that challenged me to grow.
Today, I'm a Workforce Development Manager with the Scottish Social Services Council, and I'm about to begin a Doctorate in Education.
What have you learnt?
Looking back, my career has been shaped much more by curiosity and opportunity than by any plan I made at school. I've worked across many jobs, often combining different roles and continuing to study alongside them. My exam results helped me take the first step, but they didn't determine where I would end up. If I've learned anything, it's that careers evolve over time. Be open to opportunities, keep learning, and don't worry if your journey looks different from the one you imagined at 16.