Source Autumn/Winter 2021

SCOTLAND’S NUMBER ONE STUDENT MAGAZINE

sourcemagazine.org.uk

AUTUMN / WINTER 2021

TIME TO STAND OUT

From UCAS application tips and understanding higher education to the real-life experiences of apprentices and graduates, get ready to prepare for your future

POPPY COOKS

The TikTok queen of tatties on her new cookbook and career path

TALKING MENTAL HEALTH

Changing discussions and reducing stigma for better support

EARN AND LEARN

Find out what apprenticeship is right for you

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// WELCOME SCOTLAND’S NUMBER ONE STUDENT MAGAZINE

Source is back and packed with essential information for your next steps

SourceMagazine @SourceMag @source.magazine

A

PUBLISHER

s winter approaches and the nights get darker there’s more than the festive season on the horizon: yes, it’s almost time to start considering your next steps after you leave school. The idea of higher education, college or job applications might seem overwhelming right now (don’t panic, that’s normal), but this issue is all about helping you stand out from the crowd.

Staying at home to keep each other safe over the last few years doesn’t mean you’re at a disadvantage when it comes to applications. On page 8 we catch up with a university admissions officer and Young Scot to get their top tips to help you shine. Plus, they suggest some creative ways to gain experience from the comfort of your bedroom.

Turn to page 11 where we’re making two words a little less scary: personal statement. Read our run down of what to expect from the UCAS process and feel confident as you start your application. Wondering if higher education is right for you? Consider your options on page 14 from traditional routes to taking a different path to your dream career.

Hearing from the people already on the frontline of your chosen career is always helpful, that’s why we’re chatting to Tamara who just finished a modern apprenticeship in healthcare on page 20, before catching up with a graduate training in accountancy on page 22.

The next few months will be filled with prelims and post-school prep, but it isn’t all work: find out what the perfect student meal is from Poppy Cooks on page 29 and tune in to our pick of podcasts on page 30.

All of this and more awaits you inside. Now sit back, relax and get ready to enjoy another issue of your fave student mag!

Denise Connelly denise@dcpublishing.co.uk

ACTING EDITOR

Emma Storr emma.storr@dcpublishing.co.uk

EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS

Lorne Gillies

DESIGN AND PRODUCTION

Gillian Durham

SALES

Marian Mathieson marian.mathieson@dcpublishing.co.uk

www.sourcemagazine.org.uk DC Publishing Ltd, 198 Bath Street, Glasgow, G2 4HG Tel: 0844 249 9007

Emma

©DC Publishing Ltd 2021. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or used in any way without prior written permission from the publisher. The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of DC Publishing Ltd. The publisher takes no responsibility for claims made by advertisers within the publication. Every effort has been made to ensure that information is accurate; while dates and prices are correct at time of going to print, DC Publishing Ltd takes no responsibility for omissions and errors.

Acting Editor

PIC ©NETFLIX

#trending

1 TIGER KING TAKE TWO It seems like just yesterday the world was hooked on Tiger King, now Joe Exotic is back for a second season of the hit show on 17 November.

2 STAYING SUSTAINABLE As COP26 gets underway the conversation on climate change is bigger than ever. How are you making a change for the better?

3 GOING LIVE In-person gigs and performances are officially back in the calendar.

Remember to follow guidelines, stay safe and only attend if you feel comfortable doing so.

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contents 14

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STUDY

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6 SQA REFORM

18 EARN AND LEARN

8 TIME TO STAND OUT

20 ON THE FRONTLINE

11 BREAKING DOWN THE UCAS APPLICATION

22 GRAD SCHEMES EXPLAINED

Why Scotland’s examination regulator is changing

Expert advice to help you conquer life after school

Get ready to start the UCAS process with confidence

14 YOUR NEXT STEPS

Preparing for higher education and beyond

17 TIME TO CASH IN

Get on top of your finances with our money insight

LIFE

sign up online at sourcemagazine.org.uk/subscribe 4

29 TALKING SCRAN WITH POPPY COOKS

TikTok’s queen of tatties reveals her top tips

Find out what apprenticeship is right for you One student’s experience of working in healthcare with NHS Lothian

Wondering what to do after higher education? Enter grad schemes

25 LANDING A PART-TIME JOB

Gain experience and transferable skills while you study

PLAY 30 PODCAST PLUG IN

Tune in to our podcast picks covering study, money and fun

HEALTH 26 CHANGING DISCUSSIONS ON MENTAL HEALTH

It’s time for better support for young people’s mental wellbeing

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Q&A: // STUDY

Did you know the Scottish Qualifications Authority is changing? We answer your questions about the reform and reveal

SQA REFORM

what we know so far

WHAT IS THE SQA?

From the moment you enter secondary school you’ll hear teachers and other education staff use the term SQA, but what is the Scottish Qualifications Authority actually responsible for?

Founded in 1997, the organisation’s main aim is to ensure learners have a clear path to their future after school, whether that’s in higher education or employment. To do this, they have two main responsibilities: to accredit and to award qualifications, working closely with educational institutions and the wider industry to make sure qualifications are inclusive, equally accessible, flexible and of high quality.

Basically, they make sure your qualifications are developed, validated and assessed in a way that ensures a high standard of education and training.

WHY IS IT CHANGING?

The SQA is now being reformed alongside Education Scotland, the agency responsible for supporting quality and improvement in 6

Scotland’s Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, Shirley-Anne Somerville, says: “The sole purpose of these changes is to improve, to achieve pandemic into account, more and to deliver for the SQA has already Scotland’s pupils.” confirmed that course

Scottish education.

The reform comes after an independent review made recommendations on curriculum, assessment and qualifications in Scotland’s schools. Calls for change reached their peak during the coronavirus pandemic when there was uncertainty around exams, grades and the systems used to calculate them.

As we move forward, the Curriculum for Excellence is here to stay, but it is to become more balanced so that students can fully benefit from a coherent learning experience. In the future, the approach to learning and assessments will be more teacher and student-led, taking their opinions into account during this period of change.

WHAT ABOUT EXAMS?

There’s no need to panic about the 2022 exam diet: regardless of what happens with the SQA reform, assessments will go ahead, and for now, the qualifications body will continue to issue information and advice around them.

Taking the disruption caused by the

content has been reduced compared to a normal year ahead of National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher exams. If there is further disruption as a result of COVID-19, further modifications will be made to courses and assessments, and if public health conditions don’t allow the exam diet to take place, awards will once again be made on teachers’ judgements.

WHEN WILL WE KNOW MORE?

There’s no set date when we can expect an update on the future of qualifications in Scotland, but the advisor appointed by the Scottish Government started work in August 2021. This is expected to last around six months, so we should have more news in January 2022.

FIND OUT MORE Stay informed about the SQA reform on the Scottish Government website (gov.scot)

DON’T BE

F ATA L LY

DISTRACTED

GO SAFE HEADS PHONES

o t e m i t

stand out

As we near the end of the year it’s time to start thinking about your next steps after school. Whether you want to progress into higher education, start an apprenticeship or conquer the world of work, this expert advice will help you shine

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fter almost two years spending the majority of your time at home, it’s ok to feel lost when it comes to citing your skills and experience on applications. Regardless of whether you are applying for college, uni, an apprenticeship or your first proper job, you’ve achieved more during this time than you think.

“First of all, don’t worry – employers and education providers know about the impact of COVID-19 on young people and should accommodate this in their approaches,” advises Kirsten Urquhart, chief executive at Young Scot (young.scot). “Take advantage of as many opportunities as possible, whether work experience or work shadowing, volunteering, activism, or getting involved in your local community.

“Don’t limit yourself – you never know what might spark your interest! Have a look around and do your research.”

Although there has been changes to exams and assessments during this time, higher education providers and employers are still holding grades to the same value and want to hear what makes you right for your chosen course or role – things like work experience are just a small part of this.

“Think about what subject it is you want to study and think about the reasons why, things like the UCAS application and

personal statement are a really useful exercise to almost question yourself and check that this is the course of study you want to take,” suggests Katy Scott, head of admissions and applicant experience at the University of Dundee (www.dundee.ac.uk).

EXPERIENCE

Any experience you have had in the last few years can be used to demonstrate your skills. The world is still opening up, but there’s opportunities available if you think outside the box.

“The key advice we give to applicants is what we’re looking for are skills and attributes and you don’t have to have work experience or volunteer work to show those, you can show team work by talking about projects that you’ve done at school,” emphasises Katy. “The other thing that work experience often gives us is up to date knowledge of the subject area but as long as they can demonstrate they’re keeping up to date with stories in the media about their chosen subject or reading journal articles that’s absolutely sufficient.”

If you can’t attend face-to-face work experience for your chosen field, setting up a phone or video call with someone working in that industry is a great way to learn more and decide if it’s the right path for you.

// STUDY

do attend open days, do attend virtual applicant sessions, we’re here to help

“It really helps the applicants know the kind of degree they would like to get involved in, we also still have some students coming to us that have done some volunteer work virtually as well,” reveals Katy. “Lots of companies are still looking for people to support them, they’re just doing that in a different way than in the past.”

Things like work experience and volunteering should only make up a small part of your application, but being able to explain what you gained from this can help you to stand out from other candidates.

“Volunteering is one of the best ways to build skills and experiences that will help you progress, there are lots of volunteering opportunities on offer within Young Scot Hive,” suggests Kirsten.

VIRTUAL

If you’re unable to get out and about, or you don’t feel comfortable doing this yet, you can still gain relevant skills and knowledge from the comfort of your bedroom.

“Seek out opportunities to participate in online activities or those offered in a socially distanced way as restrictions ease,” offers Kirsten. “Lockdown hasn’t been easy for any young person, and many feel like there are fewer opportunities for them to progress.

“Take time to research what positive activities you can take part in online, as these are a great way to build the skills and experiences you need to take you towards your next step.”

During periods of at-home or blended learning, it’s likely you’ve picked up new skills without even realising.

“Highlight things like communication skills that have been built in a school project, even if you’ve worked on that at a distance,” says Katy. “They go to show your adaptability which is really important because some of our degrees are still being taught virtually.”

DEMONSTRATE

Adaptability is just one transferable skill you have acquired during at-home learning.

“Think about the skills you have gained during this time more generally – online communication skills, resilience, managing your own time via home learning, and perhaps supporting someone in your community or family,” stresses Kirsten. “Also, think creatively about all the skills you have learned during this time and how they could be transferable to the workplace or further education: flexibility, digital skills are all hugely valued.”

You could have hours and hours of experience to add to your application, but how you articulate it matters. Employers and admissions staff will sometimes be looking at hundreds of applications in a day so try to be concise and clever, and don’t hesitate to ask questions, Katy says: “Do attend open days, do attend virtual applicant sessions, we’re here to help and give advice.

“We know these have been a really traumatic few years and we’re looking forward to helping young people on to the next stage of their lives.”

FIND OUT MORE For more information and advice as you apply for higher education, apprenticeships or a job, visit Prospects (www.prospects.ac.uk).

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Whatever your passion or interest, you’ll find something to suit you.

Create your own unique learner journey at Moray College UHI.

APPLY NOW Visit: www.moray.uhi.ac.uk Email: student.services.moray@uhi.ac.uk Telephone: 01343 576000

HELPING YOU FIND YOUR FUTURE SINCE 1971

// STUDY

n w o d g n i k brea

the ucas application Get ready to start the UCAS application process with confidence, armed with our top tips on how to manage deadlines, work on your application, ace the personal statement and get a glowing reference

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rom choosing the right universities to apply to, to acing your personal statement, the UCAS application process can feel overwhelming, but it is also exciting. This is your first step towards your future, and whether you get into your first choice or take a different path than expected, it will help you think about why you want a place on your chosen course and what to expect.

DEADLINES

The most important thing you should know when starting the application process through UCAS is when your application is due. This can be different depending on the type of course you are applying for: if you are hoping to study medicine, veterinary medicine or science, or dentistry, you should have already

submitted your UCAS application on 15 October 2021.

You can now start and submit your application in the UCAS hub, but don’t panic if you haven’t: there’s still plenty of time. For 2022 entry, UCAS is accepting applications until 26 January 2022 for the majority of courses.

If your completed application – including all of your personal details and your academic reference – is submitted by the deadline, it is guaranteed to be considered.

Your school might have an earlier deadline that they ask you to submit your application by: this could be so they can check everything is correct before sending them off in one go. Even if this doesn’t apply, don’t leave your application to the last minute, if you submit it early you have the opportunity to make any last minute edits online before the deadline.

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// STUDY

APPLICATION

Your UCAS application process will start by thinking about what courses you would like to apply for and where.

This might be something you have been considering for years, but it is important to do thorough research before cementing your choices. Remember to find out about the town or city you would live in as well as the university and course itself.

People like your parents, trusted teachers or your school’s careers adviser can help you find the right fit.

It can also help to connect with people who already study your chosen degree through platforms like Unibuddy (www. unibuddy.com) so that you know what to expect and whether it’s right for you.

A big part of your application is filling in details about yourself, any previous qualifications and your course choices, but it also gives you the opportunity to talk about your hobbies, interests and skills through your personal statement.

PERSONAL STATEMENT

A big part of your application is filling in details about yourself

Tackling the personal statement can seem like the most daunting part of your UCAS application.

It gives you just 4,000 characters or 47 lines to tell your provider of choice why you are the right candidate to accept.

While it can seem scary, it’s a valuable tool in the process and is an essential part of your application. It can also be an exciting way to reflect on what you have achieved during your time at school.

The personal statement is basically an essay about you, your interests and experience, and why you want to study your chosen course. It’s a great way to showcase your skills and knowledge and show off a little about what you have done up to this point.

It can feel awkward to write about your own achievements, but your different university choices want to know what makes you stand out from other candidates and why they should pick you. Thinking about your personal statement as early as possible will give you the chance to write multiple drafts, have other people check over it for advice and, most importantly, for you to proof read it – no one wants to read an application with spelling mistakes.

Make sure you tailor your personal statement to the courses you are applying for and include relevant work experience, volunteering or hobbies. The ABC method is a great way

to include two or three examples stating the action, benefit and how it relates to your chosen course.

REFERENCE

Within your UCAS application you will have to include an academic reference, this is a chance for a teacher or other member of school staff to vouch for everything you have said in your personal statement.

It’s also an opportunity for them to explain anything that could have affected your grades over the last few years. This could be because you were helping to care for a loved one at home while other young people were focussed on distance learning, or if you had a prolonged period of absence due to a health issue or a loss in the family.

AFTER YOU APPLY

Once you have completed your UCAS application and pressed submit, breathe a sigh of relief and congratulate yourself: you did it and we’re proud of you.

The hard work is over for now and you can continue with your studies while keeping an eye on the UCAS Track system. This will allow you to check the progress of your application and view any offers or rejections from universities once they start to arrive.

If you get an unconditional offer, it will guarantee you a place on that course, or a conditional offer will rely on you achieving certain grades in your upcoming exams. It’s important to continually check this to ensure you don’t miss any offers, but try not to worry if you receive a few rejections: there’s always other paths to your dream career, even if it doesn’t seem like it right now.

FIND OUT MORE The UCAS Hub (www.ucas.com) provides information, support and advice throughout the application process.

12

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PREPARING FOR

HIGHER EDUCATION If you have decided to pursue higher education after you finish

school, there’s more to consider than what subject you want to study

M

aking the decision to move on to higher education and where you study can help shape your future, so it’s important to consider more than your course or even the university itself.

Charlie Ball is a graduate labour market expert at Prospects and urges people to consider the bigger picture when choosing a university, he explains: “Looking at this as a whole is really, really useful, if there’s not much difference in quality between similar courses then you need to start looking at the small things.”

LIVING SITUATION

When you aren’t attending lectures, seminars or placement you’ll spend a lot of time socialising and relaxing in your new location, so pick somewhere you think you’ll enjoy.

“If you don’t want to live in a big city and don’t want to be surrounded by people then those institutions won’t be right for you, or if you don’t want to be in a small place with less to do then a city could be for you,” offers Charlie. “This is an important, serious decision to make.

“We’re often told not to fret over the small stuff but when you’re choosing a university you need to make sure your likes align with it. Ask yourself: if I like this university then could I live here? When I’m not living on campus or in halls of residence, where would I be living, what’s the accommodation actually like? That will become really important to you.”

Asking yourself these questions will mean thinking a little further into the future than freshers’ week or your first year, but it will be worth it in the long-term.

“The difference between living in a nice house and living in a really horrible,

14

crumbling down house will have a massive bearing on your performance in university,” stresses Charlie. “Think about other things like the library facilities because you will be spending a lot of time there, and also think about things outside of formal study and make sure you have the capability to do that.

“A really important question for a lot of students will be how easy is it for me to get a job?”

Even if you aren’t moving away from home, think about how you will get to and from classes, but also from social events and clubs to ensure you’re safe and prepared.

STUDENT EXPERIENCE

Taking a holistic view when deciding where you want to study will allow you to take the student experience into account. Attending open days is a great way to judge this.

“When you go there take note of how pleased they are to see you and if it’s professionally organised,” suggests Charlie.

“If these universities are actively trying to get you in the door then it could be an indication of how they’ll treat you when you’re actually there.”

Speaking to current or previous students can give you an honest view of what it’s like to study and live in a particular city.

“Ideally, your university should let you talk to current students at the university, if the university is not very keen for you to talk to current students that should be setting off alarm bells,” adds Charlie.

PREPARATION

Once you’re happy with your choice, it’s time to start preparing for things like entrance interviews.

“If you get to the interview stage then just like in any interview, you want to make sure

// STUDY

You aren’t You aren’t just studying just studying here, you’re here, you’re living here. living here

you ask some questions,” offers Charlie.

“Don’t just make stuff up on the spot, make sure you are prepared, that you’ve read up about the university.

“The main questions they are going to ask you will be along the lines of why do you want to do this subject and why do you want to go to this university. If you say I came here because it feels like a place where I could feel at home and achieve the best for myself then that’s a good answer.”

You might not know where you want to go once you graduate from university, but if you’re set on a particular location then think about what will be available in your industry.

“If you want to work in Glasgow for example then it doesn’t matter as much: Glasgow has a very strong jobs market with a lot of options,” advises Charlie. “On the other hand, if you’re from Inverness or the Highlands and Islands and want to move home after your studies, then make sure there will be jobs where your qualification will be useful.”

Doing a quick job search online or asking people in your local area about their position and how long it took them to find it can be a good gauge of what to expect. Although it can be helpful to think about this, it is likely that there will always be jobs that require a degree in any area, even if they aren’t specific to what you studied.

NO WRONG PATH

When you are going through this process or waiting for results to determine your future, don’t give up if you don’t get in to your first choice or even your second. It’s important to be prepared in case this happens.

“If you are waiting for an outcome then make sure you have a contingency plan,” emphasises Charlie. “You might not get in where you want straight away, especially if it’s a really competitive course and it may not necessarily be a bad thing if you don’t go straight from school.

“Time away can give you a slightly fuller perspective on who you are and what you want and that will make any future applications much stronger.”

As you prepare for your next steps in life, take a holistic view of where you want to study to ensure you have a happy university experience.

FIND OUT MORE For more advice on higher education and choosing the right institution for you, speak to a trusted person in your school or visit www.propsects.ac.uk

15

Join us to change your world To find out more or visit our campus:

gcu.ac.uk/study/undergraduate

// FUNDING

TIME TO CASH IN

The bank of mum and dad is closing up shop and it’s time you get on top of your finances.

Part-time work, savings accounts, budgets, and student loans: we get it, it’s a minefield, but we’ve got you covered with our money insight

O

pening a bank account or applying for student funding to learning how to save and budget, the world of money doesn’t have to be confusing. There are a lot of different services on hand to ensure you and your money don’t fall into the red.

THE ACCOUNTS Getting the best out of your money is important, that’s why it is essential to open the right current and savings accounts for you. But, watch out for enticing deals, freebies and overdrafts – they might look good on paper; in reality you might get stung in the future.

There are many banks offering a range of student accounts both on the high street and in digital banking. Traditional banks such as Nationwide or Santander have some of the best deals for students.

Nationwide offer students a £3,000 zero per cent interest free overdraft, whereas Santander offer a free four-year railcard plus a £1,500 zero per cent interest free overdraft. Just remember, even though any overdraft charges won’t incur interest, you will still be required to pay back the full amount of your overdraft on a certain date decided by your bank.

BANK CARDS Online bank accounts such as Starling (www.starlingbank.com) or Monzo (monzo.com) provide a round up service, where every time you spend money on your card the balance is rounded up to the nearest

pound with any spare change automatically deposited into your savings account.

You’ll be amazed at how quickly those extra pennies start to pile up!

TOP TIP:

You will need your UCAS confirmation letter when opening a student account

EVERY PENNY As a student every penny counts.

From savings, part-time work or funding you might be eligible for when completing an apprenticeship or higher education course, there are tools available to ensure you don’t overspend (it’s easily done).

Student Information Scotland (www.studentinformation.gov. scot) has a free budget and funding calculator helping to break down roughly how much you will expect to need to live on whilst in college or university. Added bonus, the calculator also signposts you to any funding you might be entitled to.

This considers the details of your household income aka what your parents or caregivers earn; details of your course; what you get paid if you have a job; and any utility bills you expect to pay for, such as internet.

Sit back, relax, and let the calculator

process your trusty budget.

LET’S TALK SAAS

In Scotland, your higher education course fees are paid for. Hallelujah! The Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) is on hand to help, by paying for your course fees alongside providing a bursary and student loan. To be eligible for SAAS you must be studying on one of the eligible courses such as a HNC, HND, undergraduate or postgraduate.

Your fees are not automatically given to you after you accept a place on your course, you will need to apply through the SAAS website (www. saas.gov.uk). It’s important to apply to SAAS as soon as you know the course you want to do, you shouldn’t wait for exam results in order to get your funding on time.

FIND OUT MORE Further advice and information on being money savvy is available from UCAS (www.ucas.com), Scottish Funding Council (www.sfc.ac.uk), and Money Saving Expert (www.moneysavingexpert.com).

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// STUDY

EARN AND LEARN Get hands on, learn on the job, network with prospective employers and

take home a pay slip: there’s a lot of benefits attached to an apprenticeship.

But, what apprenticeship is right for you?

WHAT IS AN APPRENTICESHIP? Take a step onto the career ladder, or the next step in your career, with an apprenticeship. There are many benefits to an apprenticeship including learning from industry professionals in your desired field of work, making money (depending on the apprenticeship you undertake) and starting to build your career connections. Plus, more and more businesses are getting involved in hiring apprentices meaning you could get your foot in the door with your dream employer.

FOUNDATION If you are still in school, a foundation apprenticeship is the perfect way to get a head start. With a range of subjects on offer ranging from social services and healthcare, engineering, scientific technologies or creative and digital media: there is a course designed for you. When taking your subject choices in school as part of your senior-phase, if you request to do a foundation apprenticeship you will get to spend time in college learning, work on industry projects supported by prospective employers and through assessments you will end up gaining a qualification. Not to mention you’ll have the skills and experience employers are looking for.

MODERN One of the most common and popular apprenticeships, a modern apprenticeship – also referred to as a MA – pairs on-the-job experience with a qualification.

Added bonus, you can earn while you learn on your MA as you will be actively employed during your 18

at a university or college. If you apprenticeship with specific days are a resident in Scotland before for learning and an assessor coming starting your apprenticeship and to meet you regularly to mark any the premises you work in are also tasks you are required to complete based in Scotland, there is a wide as part of your MA. There is also range of apprenticeship options for a wide array of MA opportunities you. Options available for a graduate available, 80 in total, ranging from scheme include engineering in design construction, IT, financial services, and manufacturing, early learning animal care, to wide career prospects and childcare, accounting, cyber in different sectors including security and many other sport, health and social sectors. Also, as you will care or hairdressing There be a student during your and barbering. From is no upper age graduate apprenticeship, the first day of your limit to becoming an from 2021 you can get apprenticeship you’ll be additional funding from learning, earning and apprentice, it’s all about SAAS. making a difference finding the right role Apprenticeships are as part of Scotland’s for you open for everyone, and workforce. services including UCAS, My World of Work and The Student Room can help you discover the route that is right for you.

For those looking to combine working, learning, earning and getting a university degree: a graduate apprenticeship is for FIND OUT MORE you. Designed to help you build Apprenticeships the skills and knowledge that (www.apprenticeships.scot), Scottish industries need, you Skills Development Scotland will spend your time learning on (www.skillsdevelopmentscotland.co.uk), My World of Work (www.myworldofwork.co.uk). the job but will also be a student

GRADUATE

// WORK

CAREER GOALS:

ON THE FRONTLINE

Starting your career in healthcare has never been easier with an apprenticeship from the second-largest health board in Scotland, NHS Lothian. Here, one student shares her experiences of working on the frontline during a pinnacle moment in healthcare

D

o you remember Tamara?

Tamara Kamal, a clinical support worker with NHS Lothian, was first introduced to Source readers in March 2020. Tamara was doing her Modern Apprenticeship (MA) in Healthcare (Clinical) SVQ Level 2 at the time to pursue her ambition of becoming a registered nurse.

A MA is a fantastic way to learn whilst you earn and get handson experience in your desired career. For Tamara, working on her apprenticeship gave her the skills and experience in both clinical and non-clinical healthcare support worker roles. This left Tamara in a fantastic position to showcase her new skills.

Tamara was working in a bustling acute surgical ward at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh while balancing her MA studies.

IMPACT

After our last meeting with Tamara, the world as we knew it changed, and we have all been living with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic since. Working during COVID-19 has been a time like no other for those on the frontline in healthcare, and for Tamara, it has meant adapting to a new challenge whilst working towards her dream role.

Tamara explains: “Working on the very frontline of the pandemic has been nothing short of frightening.

You’re faced with the loss of life almost every day, which has a serious impact on your mental health.”

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Apprenticeships provide a path to careers that most people would never have thought of pursuing Despite the obvious challenges faced by frontline staff, particularly frontline healthcare workers, Tamara has been guided throughout her MA by her NHS Lothian colleagues.

“Thankfully, my training has helped me during these difficult times, and I’ve had the support of my team,” Tamara enthuses. “They’ve always pushed me in the right direction throughout my apprenticeship – I owe it all to them.”

STRENGTH

Even in the face of these hurdles, Tamara has gone from strength to strength in her career.

She has gone on to complete her MA, even winning the Scottish Apprenticeship Award for Modern Apprentice of the Year Level 6 +.

This achievement is down to the true dedication, commitment and resilience Tamara has shown through the pandemic in her role and studies.

Tamara has now taken the next step towards her career ambitions by participating in a HNC in care and administration, which will grant her direct admission to university in order to complete her nursing degree.

From her time working during the pandemic and completing her MA, Tamara advises: “It is incredibly important for everyone to be made more aware of the opportunities presented by apprenticeships, no matter your background.

Apprenticeships provide a path to careers that most people would never have thought of pursuing; I certainly didn’t, and now I’m on course to become a nurse.”

Are you ready to discover a career helping your local community by providing quality care?

FIND OUT MORE Start your career with NHS Lothian by visiting @NHS_Lothian and @yourNHSLfuture; for more information, email apprenticeships@ nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk

Modern Apprenticeship Opportunities Did you know that NHS Scotland is the largest employer in Scotland with over 300 job roles and career opportunities? From Nursing based roles to those within Estates or Pharmacy, there are career opportunities to suit everyone.

We recognise the value that everyone brings to our organisation. We have a wide range of jobs at entry level and offer great opportunities such as modern apprenticeships across a range of specialities and various levels!

Earn

Learn

Progress

SKILLS

AMBITION

You can build on the skills you are good at

You can match your skills to those we need

STRENGTH

INTEREST

You can support your career goals

You can develop your interests into a career

If you have an interest in an exciting role, where you can really make a difference, one of our Modern Apprenticeship opportunities may be for you! We recruit to a range of MA roles across NHS Lothian during the year and we have plans for 3 cohorts in 2022: Cohort 1: Advert Live – Friday 7 January 2022 Start Date – Monday 28 March 2022 Cohort 2: Advert Live – Friday 13 May 2022 Start Date – Monday 1 August 2022 Cohort 3: Advert Live – Friday 16 September 2022 Start Date – Monday 5 December 2022 For more information on the types of MA roles we have on offer, look at our website or get in touch with the team and we would be delighted to provide advice and support:

Visit: careers.nhslothian.scot/workforcedevelopment email: careersforall@nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk Vacancies: https://apply.jobs.scot.nhs.uk @NHS_Lothian, @yourNHSLfuture

Awards Aware awardsnetwork.org

: S P E T S T X E N R YOU

grad scheme Wondering what your next steps should be after higher education?

Enter graduate schemes: work-based training with a difference

O

nce you finish your degree there’s plenty of ways to put it to good use, even if you’re not quite sure what path you want to follow yet.

Applying for a graduate scheme will allow you to utilise your learning whilst gaining valuable experience: it’s a win, win.

Even though you’ll still be attending classes and learning, you count as an employed member of staff during a graduate scheme so you will be paid for all of your hard work. Often, graduate schemes offer generous incomes which are competitive with entry positions in the world of work.

WHAT IS A GRAD SCHEME?

EMBRACING OPPORTUNITIES WITH BDO

Graduate schemes are a great way for recent university graduates to gain practical experience with a company, all while giving them a head start in the world of work and getting paid. The opportunities usually last between one and three years, but this can depend on the company you choose to apply to and the industry.

If you are about to leave higher education, or have recently completed a degree, but you aren’t sure what path is right for you, a graduate scheme could be the perfect choice. As well as training, it gives you breathing space and using blended learning, creates a nice transition between higher education and the world of work. Many leading employers run graduate training programmes in industries including finance, engineering and business management.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?

A graduate scheme comes with lots of positives, not just the space to decide what you definitely want to do in your career.

They provide you with the chance to network, build connections and skills, and you could even end up with the offer of a permanent job role at the end.

Regardless of whether you pursue the same industry or make a change, it will also give your CV a boost in the future and help you to stand out from other candidates looking to get into any field.

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Providing graduate programmes in Audit and Assurance, Advisory, Tax or Business Services and Outsourcing, BDO will take you from induction to qualification while combining study with work. In 2021, the accountancy and business advisory firm welcomed a record number of trainees, with more than 600 people joining the company across graduate and apprenticeship programmes.

Rachel, who studied accounting at university, is embarking on the third year of her ACA training programme with the company in their Glasgow office. After passing all of your exams, the programmes provided by BDO allow you to become a fully-fledged accountant with a level 7 qualification – this is equivalent to a master’s degree – and there are permanent positions available with the company at the end.

“I’ve gotten to build on things I knew but also learn more complex things: you start with the basics and build yourself up,” reveals Rachel.

One of the main benefits of a grad scheme, Rachel is able to study while she works and transfer her learning to real experiences.

“Sometimes when you go to class things don’t make sense, but then you get to put it into practice at work and it’s no longer alien to you,” emphasises Rachel. “It’s been

// WORK

es explained You start with the basics and build yourself up

a nice way to start the world of work, it’s a training contract so you’re not expected to go in and know how to do everything, it’s a space where you can make mistakes and ask questions. It also means you are put through all of your exams and classes in order to qualify.

“It gives you that time to pick your focus while you qualify, to work on any weaknesses you have.”

When looking into different programmes, BDO stood out against other firms for Rachel due to the company’s size and the breadth of experience it could give her.

“You have the balance of exposure to really large jobs which is a great experience and so interesting but you also have the opportunity on small jobs to develop yourself,” reveals Rachel. “It’s not just being a wheel in a system doing the same thing over and over again, it just has the balance.”

More than just a training opportunity, Rachel vouches for the friendliness of the BDO staff and has had the chance to learn from her peers since day one, she says: “You get to meet so many people during the placements that you can speak to about anything you haven’t experienced yet. It gives you the opportunity to see the bigger picture.

“It gives you a year group as well so there could be 10 of you all doing the same thing, having a shared experience,” continues Rachel. “I feel like it’s similar to school or uni where you have your year group and you’re all in it together. I think that’s such a big benefit instead of going straight into a job where you may be the only person they’ve hired that year and it’s just you doing exams yourself.”

With a wealth of opportunities available, could a graduate programme at BDO be your next step? Find out more at www.BDO.co.uk

FIND OUT MORE Search for your perfect grad scheme at www.graduate-jobs.com

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A G N I D N LA B O J E PART-TIM OPPORTUNITY

Getting a part-time job might seem boring in comparison to spending time with your friends or doing hobbies that you love, but it’s a great way to build skills, connections and confidence, and there’s plenty of other benefits, too. One of the main ones is that you will have the chance to earn money to spend on the things you love or to save towards your future, whatever your path.

The first step is finding out who is hiring and deciding what type of role is right for you. If you live in a rural area and don’t have your own transport or a family member to pick you up, avoid long shifts and late hours. Or, if like us you value your weekend lie-ins, consider a position that you can attend after school or only one day on the weekends.

There’s plenty of ways to find your next role, job boards like Indeed (uk. indeed.com) and S1 jobs (www.s1jobs. com) advertise part-time jobs as well as permanent positions, and it’s helpful to look at the social media for shops and restaurants in your local area in case they’re hiring. Don’t be afraid to get your name out there or ask if there are positions available somewhere that you go regularly.

A part-time gig could be anything you want, you could go old school and mow your neighbours’ lawns for a tenner, or find a role in an area that you’re passionate about.

Whatever you do, you will gain great transferable skills that will go on to benefit you in your future.

TRANSFERABLE SKILLS

No matter the part-time job that you take, you will gain new skills, experience and knowledge that will go on to benefit you at school, in higher education applications and when you apply for permanent positions in the future, even if they’re not in similar industries. This could be things like time-keeping, reliability, being able to work as a team and problem-solving.

You could also gain job-specific skills or qualifications, or even be inspired to pursue a different career once you leave school based on your experiences.

// WORK

From weekend jobs to summerlong opportunities, part-time work is a great way to earn money and gain experience while you’re still at school

CAREER PATH If you already have a dream career path in mind, you might be able to find a part-time job that’s a perfect fit. For example, if you want to study veterinary science, you could work part-time as a receptionist in your local surgery and gain valuable insight, or if you want to style celebs for red carpets when you’re older, look for a retail job in a store that offers a personal shopping service. The search for a part-time job is the perfect time to get creative and show how ambitious you can be.

Tailoring your new job to your future career will mean you gain specific and valuable experience which could make you stand out from other candidates.

The search for a parttime job is the perfect time to get creative

FIND OUT MORE Alongside advice on landing your dream career in the future, My World of Work (www.myworldofwork.co.uk)) provides advice and information on finding a part-time job.

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CHANGING DISCUSSIONS

ON MENTAL HEALTH Through the course of the pandemic the conversation on mental health has expanded, providing the opportunity to transform support for young people

T

he pandemic has marked a major shift in the way mental health problems are perceived, but it may also leave a legacy of the worst mental health crisis Gen Z has known. Now is the time to learn from the pandemic and create serious change for Scotland’s young people before it’s too late.

STIGMA

Orla, who is a Youth Champion with See Me, Scotland’s programme to end mental health stigma and discrimination, has just started her second year at university. Orla has dealt with poor mental health for many years but often felt she couldn’t reach out to adults around her, leading to unhealthy coping mechanisms. By speaking about how she felt, Orla’s overall mental and physical wellbeing has improved, but she still struggles sometimes.

Although the stigma around mental health exists, Orla acknowledges that this has changed over the last few years.

“Before the coronavirus pandemic, I feel that discussions around mental health were often kept quiet – it was all very hushhush,” expresses Orla. “Instead of it being an ongoing conversation, there would be intense moments of frenzied awareness and discussion in the media before the topic faded away again. There is a culture of fear surrounding the topic.”

This can often mean young people feel disregarded when opening up about their mental health to those around them - a concerning reaction that could prevent them seeking support in the future.

“For young people, we know that they often feel dismissed by adults when they talk about their mental health – and around half say that they wouldn’t speak to someone if they were struggling with their mental health,” reveals Wendy Halliday, 26

// HEALTH

director of See Me. “No one, no matter their age, should find that their experiences are belittled, or they are treated in a condescending way.”

Luckily, change is happening: in response to a recent See Me survey more than half of young people in Scotland said they think young people’s mental health has been taken more seriously since the start of the pandemic.

CHANGE

“For the first time it feels as if all age groups are in the same boat and experiencing the same thing,” admits Orla. “This has led to mental health stigma being reduced as households, the media and the government are all taking it more seriously.

“It is ironic that a pandemic that calls for people to stay away from each other has actually brought people closer together.

However, there are still improvements to be made.”

There is still a lot of stigma around mental health and reaching out for help, especially for young people and specifically young men. Suicide still remains the biggest killer of men under 45 in the UK. “We know that the pandemic and lockdown is going to have an impact on the mental health of the nation, particularly young people, so we hope that mental health services across the country, and schools, are ready for this,” states Wendy. “Perhaps one positive to take away from the pandemic is that it’s forced service providers to offer support in different formats – an online or telephone appointment, for instance, might be less daunting than face-to-face for some people. We’re hopeful that service providers learn from that.”

There is a culture of fear surrounding the topic

ACTION

For Orla, support moving forward should include better training.

“I am a strong believer that all adults that work with young people should have basic mental health first aid training,” reveals Orla. “Mental health is a part of day-to-day life for all of us and it should be discussed just as much as physical health and treated with the same level of respect. The need for mental health services has always been there and has always been in high demand.”

Creating an environment where it’s ok to talk about mental health is a great step. You can contribute to this by checking in with friends and letting them know that you’re there if they need you, and hopefully the adults in your life are doing this too.

“At See Me, we know that you can’t underestimate the power of okay – just asking, ‘Are you okay?’ can make a huge difference to someone,” explains Wendy. “If they don’t have an answer straight away, ask again. Just checking in and letting them know you’re there for them, opening up the conversation around mental health, is a great starting point.”

HIGHER EDUCATION

As the dreaded UCAS deadlines approach and you start to tackle your personal statement, college or job applications, the pressure on mental health can be even higher, especially if your experience is different than those around you.

“A lot of the courses I applied for were competitive, and whilst a lot of people I knew were receiving their unconditional offers, I was sitting waiting for that dreaded email. I remember the first university I heard back from was a rejection,” shares Orla. “Whilst it was a stressful time in my life, I think the most you can do is remind yourself that it really is not the be all and end all. Schools put so much pressure on getting excellent grades and going straight to university when there are so many other options.

“Rejection is an unfortunate part of life, but instead of focusing on the fear of it, we should be focusing on the ways around it, the ways to move on.”

As we move forward, the conversation around mental health is growing, but more work has to be done. By speaking up you can help to remove this stigma.

FIND OUT MORE The urgent help section of the See Me website (www.seemescotland.org) provides links to resources and services including mental health helplines from Samaritans (www.samaritans.org) and ChildLine Scotland (www.childline.org.uk).

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BRITISH SIGN LANGUAGE ONLINE COURSE

Stay safe around water Our country has many miles of coastline, rivers, lochs and reservoirs – water may look safe but it can also be dangerous.

We want to help you stay safe around open water.

Check out our reservoir safety advice at:

www.scottishwater.co.uk/takecare

Beginners 20hrs CPD Study from home Staff training Learn at your own pace

£25

£3

Pay what you can: Currently, to make it easier for more people to learn British Sign Language, you can decide what you wish to pay (minimum contribution of £3).

Follow us

Take your CV to the next level

Higher education opens up many exciting opportunities for students. Some of these are great for taking your CV to the next level. On top of that, they can be lots of fun.

For example, volunteering with the Service Cadets presents a great opportunity for students to increase their skills.

The Army Cadet Force, Air Training Corps and Sea Cadets all need enthusiastic adults to work with their young people.

Volunteering will give you opportunities to unlock your talents, develop your skills and join with an amazing mix of people. It will also provide you with a great range of training opportunities and a chance to gain qualifications.

It will give you confidence and help you develop leadership

and team-working skills, which will help you move up the career ladder.

You may also have the opportunity to join The University Officers’ Training Corps (UOTC). This is an Army Reserve unit that recruits exclusively from university students. Its aim is to train the future generation of Officers for both the Regulars and Reserves, however there is no commitment to join after university.

The Highland Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association (HRFCA) exists to support, in a range of practical ways, Service Cadets and Reservists throughout the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. To find out more, or to get involved with Cadets or the UOTC, check out our website where you will find links to us and those we support.

www.hr fca.co.uk

SourceAutumn20.indd 1

21/08/2020 10:31

// LIFE

TALKING KSCRAN S with POPPY COO

You might know her as the potato queen of TikTok, but Poppy O’Toole has mastered much more than the tattie. From sharing her best cooking tips to releasing her first cookbook, Poppy is just getting started

M

otivated by her love of cooking, Poppy O’Toole hasn’t had an easy path to her massive following: from starting out as a kitchen porter to an apprenticeship in a Michelin Star restaurant and becoming the chef for a private members club, she’s done it all.

After losing her job due to the coronavirus pandemic, Poppy didn’t know what the future held, but she knew it had to include food.

Enter Poppy Cooks: her TikTok profile that went from a small collection of easy recipes to a global sensation in a matter of weeks and now has more than 1.8 million followers. We caught up with Poppy to talk about the journey so far and her new cookbook: The Food You Need.

Q

Growing up, did you always want to be a chef?

Cooking was always a hobby of mine, I just enjoyed eating more than anything else so becoming a chef was my way of being in a kitchen and eating. My family were always very food driven, birthdays, celebrations, sadness, happiness: everything is food related.

Q

Q

Your first cookbook is out now!

What was it like creating this?

I’ve always dreamed of creating a recipe book but I thought I would have to have a restaurant or be a proper celebrity chef, not just someone cooking potatoes in their kitchen. I didn’t want to exclude anyone in this book so people who can cook well or never cooked before potatoes have can use it.

You started your TikTok after losing your job during the pandemic, did Jacket you ever expect it to grow are a great place like it has? to start for I was amazed, I never What is your top expected it to but it’s tip for cooking the students incredible. At the start I kept perfect potatoes? getting fantastic comments You need to know what from key workers and it was just potatoes to use for what dish. It really lovely, they were saying that makes a massive difference. Jacket the recipes were really helpful. The fact potatoes are a great place to start for that I’m able to change one person’s day students. You can kind of make this really ever so slightly is just incredible. I went basic thing stand out with just a little bit from around 100,000 followers to more of creative genius with your toppings. than a million overnight, everything was There’s also mashed potato which is very so fast. I kept thinking I had peaked and simple, you can add that to your family then I got a book deal. dinner if you go home for the weekend.

Q

Poppy’s first cookbook, Poppy Cooks: The Food You Need, is out now.

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// PLAY

Podcast PLUG IN From education and breaking news to the latest celebrity gossip or trends: there’s a podcast for you. Free and accessible on the go, plug in to our top podcast picks

STUDY STUFF YOU SHOULD KNOW

www.iheart.com Get educated and in the know on topics you might not delve into in the classroom. Complete with short episodes along with 40-minute shows, Stuff You Should Know will tell you all about mythical sea monsters (who knew?), historical activist Rosa Parks, just why people get that adrenaline buzz after running to how different chemicals work. Trust us, you’ll ace the next general knowledge quiz.

THE INFORIUM

theinforium.com Preparing for college or university?

Starting to freak out a bit? A lot? Then The Inforium is for you. Hosts Thomas and Martin, formerly of The College Geek podcast, talk you through the best way to become a critical thinker, making the important life decisions for you, and, more importantly, how to be less overwhelmed. You’ll be settled into the swing of higher education life before you know it.

GRAMMAR GIRL: QUICK AND DIRTY TIPS

www.quickanddirtytips.com Busting grammar myths, the difference between British English and American English, to why you never over use an exclamation mark, get ahead with your literary knowledge. Author Mignon Fogarty hosts the Grammar Girl podcast – and sister website – to help everyone improve their writing. If you’re desperate to be the next Sunday Times bestselling author, or just want to get through your upcoming English prelim: this podcast is for you.

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MONEY NO MORE BEANS

www.savethestudent.org Being a student is all about finding those discounts, the reduced aisle and finding pennies under the sofa. Recent graduates Jess and Tom are lifting the, sometimes mouldy, veil of what to expect your student finances to look like during the No More Beans podcast. Each episode is filled with the must-know money saving tips and advice, including how to make your student loan go further. Saving on shopping, how to be a baller on a budget, to making money as you study, it’s time to cash in.

FUN STACEY DOOLEY: FRESH STARTS

bbc.co.uk/sounds Overcoming challenges, inspiring people and fresh starts, everyone’s favourite cool documentary maker Stacey Dooley is speaking to people about the fresh starts they’ve made coming out of the pandemic. From a woman learning to read, a young lady weaning herself off of social media (eek!) to the best friends changing careers to become detectives: prepare to be inspired by the fresh starts of the ordinary people around you.

TEDx SHORTS

www.ted.com The iconic red carpet joins the podcast world with TEDx SHORTS. Start your day with a 10-minute episode to immerse yourself in fresh perspectives, ask thought provoking questions, from feminism in advertising to opening up about male mental health, you name it, there’s a SHORT for you.

Get in tune with podcasts on streaming platforms including Spotify (www.spotify.com/uk), Apple Music (music.apple.com), and Stitcher (www.stitcher.com).

It’s fast-paced, rewarding

and so much more than I imagined.

Graduate Area Manager Programme • £44,000 starting salary (rising to £77,870 after four years) • Pension • Healthcare • BMW 3 series • All-year round recruitment but places fill quickly The Area Manager programme is fast paced. Not many employers would ask you to run a £multi-million business after 15 weeks. But we trust you’ve got what it takes – confidence, humility and determination. And we trust that you want more, just like us. It’s how you’ll get the best out of yourself, and your teams. But you’ll have plenty of support along the way. With helpful colleagues and your own mentor, you’ll quickly learn everything there is to know and become a great leader. So with ongoing development from day one, a career with Aldi really can take you anywhere.

aldirecruitment.co.uk/graduates

#TeamAldi

AWARDS 2020

AWARDS 2020

AWARDS 2020

ALDIMEANSMORE

Your National Qualifications What you need to know Studying for National Qualifications this year and not sure what to expect?

SQA’s new guide, Your National Qualifications, explains everything you need to know about how your qualifications will be assessed – including information on National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher exams.

Soon available to download from www.sqa.org.uk/nq2022 Look out for your copy arriving in your school or college.