Gayle Duguid

Gayle Duguid enrolled in HND Computing: Software Development at Fraserburgh Campus after returning to work part-time from maternity leave. She wanted to advance her career and move into the software field.

Gayle explains, “When I came back into my existing role, as Technical Assistant within the Engineering Department at Aker Solutions, I knew that it wasn’t enough for me. I wanted to move towards becoming a Software Engineer. My employer advised that a relevant qualification would open the door for me – they offered to pay the fees – and so that’s what I did. I enrolled onto a full time college course whilst still working and juggling the demands of a eighteen month old son.”

It helped that Gayle was able to enrol her son into the on-site NESCol nursery open to students at Fraserburgh Campus. Gail said,  “This worked really well for me. He settled in so quickly and I was able to drop him off just before starting class.”

Gayle is close to completing the first year of her HND and her job title is now Software Analyst. She said, “It has been hard and challenging but I have really enjoyed coming back to learning again after all these years. I’ve especially enjoyed the programming element. The College has been really flexible so that I have been able to juggle the demands of work, college and family life – even in this time of lockdown.”

She is looking forward to the second year of her course, and intends to complete it in conjunction with the arrival of her second child. “This course has given me the confidence that I do know what I’m talking about and I hope to be able to progress into a role that includes cyber security in the future.”

“I would say to anyone thinking of returning to learning after time away – just do it.”