< Info : Case Studies : Nicola

Nicola - Access to Business Studies - Degree in Industrial Relations - Development Programme Manager

"I left school at the age of sixteen with no qualifications. By the time I met my husband, Tony, I was a qualified hairdresser and we married young. I gave up work when my daughter was born and devoted my life to bringing up my daughter and managing my home.

When my daughter started nursery, I felt that hairdressing was not fulfilling enough and wanted to do something else with my life. A friend told me about Access Programmes and I went to Careers Scotland to find out what my options were.

As a result, I started the Access to Business Studies Programme at my local college. I found it quite hard going in some subjects and thrived on others. After successfully completing the programme I went onto study for a Business degree at university. I graduated with an Upper Second Class B.A. (Hons) in Industrial Relations. After graduating, I started working for ScottishPower as a Graduate Development Programme Manager. I still work for ScottishPower, and really enjoy going to work.

The Access to Business Studies Programme was a good way of finding out if further education was for me. It was very different from anything that I had ever done, but with the support of my family it gave me the confidence and motivation to go onto further study.

On reflection, my time as a student was definitely a highlight of my life. I believe that the social aspect was just as important as the academic part of student life in giving me a positive learning experience. My experience has now helped my husband and I to support and encourage our daughter with her education."