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Read how Amy Changed her Career

When I originally started college in 2009 I was doing a science degree and looking for a part-time job. When I was finishing my second year I decided that the degree I was doing didn’t suit me and, by then, I had a job in an electrical retailers. When I asked they happily took me on full-time but it was only supposed to be temporary.

After 2 years I realised I had done nothing about moving out of retail and I was getting more and more unhappy about my position in the company so I decided to look about doing another degree or maybe a diploma. I had a good look around at the various institutions and the various avenues that were open to me. Obviously money was an issue, isn’t it always? And time. Where was I going to find time to fit a course around a hectic work schedule with very little room for movement?

I came across Pitman one evening and sent in a request form for some information on their various courses, particularly a secretarial diploma. I thought of it as a starting point. I knew I could work my way up once within a company and hopefully continue with other courses once I had a steady 9-5 job. The group of people in Pitman Swords were amazing. They talked me through what I could achieve with a diploma, where I could go next- legal/medical secretarial diplomas and about the financial side of things. They agreed to split the payment over the months which worked out fantastic for me.

I started my diploma in October 2012 and by August 2013 I had 2 very appealing job offers and was almost finished. The fear of leaving my job in the retail environment was extremely daunting. I had never done anything else and I was terrified I was going to fail in an office job- either I would get bored and lazy or I wouldn’t be a fast enough typist, but I knew this is what I had planned for. I started my new position in September and I am loving it. It was a big step as the two are very different working environments. So far so good and I hope to continue my studies and do a legal secretarial diploma over the next few months.