Not everyone knows exactly what they want to do when they leave school and plans often change.
When Chloe Pearson West finished school, she was planning to become a music teacher. But after attending a university open day, she realised it wasn’t quite what she expected and began to explore other options.
With her plans uncertain, she decided to enrol at Banff and Buchan College, which had a strong reputation for engineering. It felt like a practical step while she figured out what came next.
“Engineering was never really presented as an option to me when I was at school,” says Chloe. “I think that was partly because I was more focused on art and music subjects, so it just didn’t come up. But I was intrigued by it and wanted to try something different.”
Chloe went on to complete an HND in Mechanical Engineering, followed by a Master’s degree through the Degree Link with RGU. She joined Apollo as a graduate engineer in 2019.
Since then, she’s worked on a wide range of projects, including offshore platform modifications and floating offshore wind developments. She’s now working towards professional chartership.
For Apollo’s Director, Ryan Menzies, Chloe’s story is a familiar one.
“In my experience, people who haven’t followed the conventional university route often go on to do incredibly well. They bring a different kind of drive and determination, qualities that make them stand out.”
As Scottish exam results are released this week, Chloe’s experience is a reminder that plans can change, new interests can emerge, and there is more than one route to a fulfilling career. Whether you follow a straight line or take a few turns, there’s no wrong path.
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