DREAM JOB, LIFE AS A LECTURER

Case Study: Elizabeth (Lizzie) Kenyon, Lecturer in Electrical Installation at Inverness College.

Asked what attracted Lizzie to the industry, she said:
"I had always wanted a practical 'hands on' job. Through 5th year in school, I didn't work as hard as I should have and it reflected in my exam results, with the outcome that I couldn?t get straight on to the robotics course I wanted to. I saw an advert for an apprentice electrician, and decided to go for it."

How easy was it to find a job? "I lived on a very small island, so I was very lucky that the job with Lorne Stewart came up just as I was looking. I had to sit the pre employment test before going for the job. Two other boys went for it at the same time, and they both failed the test as I passed. Luckily, my boss, Brian Laidlaw, was more than willing to give me a chance."

How did you find the apprenticeship training?
"There were highs and lows throughout my apprenticeship. I received a fair amount of prejudice and jibes about not being able to cope physically, but I?m here now, so they must have been unfounded. I had some lows in Lews Castle College, being my first time away from home etc, but I settled into Inverness College well, halfway through my first year, and made some firm friends, both at college and in my digs."

How did you feel qualifying as an Electrician?
"A week after returning home from sitting my FICA, my boss called me in to see him. I was very pessimistic at that point, and couldn?t really understand why he was telling me he was pleased for me!! but I had passed, first time, which was an achievement! It was quite a jump financially as well, but a huge weight off my shoulders that at 20 years old, I had a trade to support me for the rest of my life. A recognised qualification without the debt and stress that comes with going to university."

What kind of work did you do as an Electrician?
"I worked for a company that carried out installation, maintenance and repair for the artillery range in Uist on the Outer Hebrides where there were all sorts of systems: Generators; UPS systems; sub stations; three phase; single phase. All types of system and enclosure were used somewhere on the range, so my training was fairly varied."

When did you realise that you wanted to progress your career?
"I moved to Inverness five months after having my baby girl, as my husband felt it was time for a career change, now we had new priorities. We wanted to start providing a good life for our daughter. I contacted the careers office, and the college and managed to get an interview for a supply lecturing post quite quickly. After six months, I applied for a full time post, and got it!! My daughter has a place in the college nursery and everything has worked out better than expected."

What?s life as a Lecturer like?
"Life as a Lecturer is hard work, but very rewarding. I am a Student Adviser this year as well, which is a role I love, because I?m a good listener and relate well to the students. There are times that I?m so busy, I don?t have time to stop, but I love it, and I wouldn?t change it."

What does the future hold?
"The future holds more of the same. Upgrading my qualifications whilst in the college, developing pioneering new courses on renewable energy sources, and continuing to work hard with and for Inverness College."