Today, ETB Technologies is supporting the #NoWrongPath campaign. #NoWrongPath is a social media movement led by Developing the Young Workplace, which provides inspiration and reassurance to young people receiving their school results. The campaign aims to show young people the options that are available to them and that results are not the be all and end all when it comes to unlocking a successful career.
To mark the 2023 campaign, we spoke to some of our team about their career journey so far. Laura Wilson, marketing manager and Andy Ho, operations manager, told us the advice they would like to pass onto anyone receiving their results today.
What did you do when you left school?
Operations manager, Andy, “When I was figuring out what to do after school, I was initially all about architecture. But then, just as I started some work experience at an architecture firm, I picked up a guitar and joined a band – and my head was turned! I started to think, “how could I combine my love for engineering with my music passion?” That's when the idea of studying music engineering at university clicked as the perfect path for me.
“After getting my degree, it hit me that the music industry relies a lot on who you know, not just what you know. So, I started checking out other job options. I ended up landing a job as a team leader at a sawmill, and before I knew it, I was a supervisor. From there, my career took off, moving into the chemicals and film manufacturing industry, and more operational roles.”
Marketing manager, Laura, “As I entered my final year of school, I didn't exactly have a clear career plan mapped out. My school encouraged me towards applying for universities, so I went ahead and cast a wide net with applications for some pretty generic courses. That's how I found myself signing up for a marketing course at a university in Edinburgh – but let's just say, it didn't quite click with me.
“Sure, the chance to spread my wings in a new city was exciting, but the course content felt like a step backward when compared to what I'd learned in school. Meanwhile, I took up a part-time job in retail, and it piqued my interest way more than the marketing course at university did. The retail job recognised my potential too, offering me a full-time spot which led to a major decision – I left my university course and went straight into the world of full-time work.
“Within a year, I found myself transitioning to a trainee management role at another company, where I quickly climbed the ranks, becoming the youngest manager. This opportunity meant I got to learn about customer service, budgeting, financial planning, forecasting, cash handling, merchandising – you name it. The experience gave me a range of skills that I'd carry with me as I began looking for my next career adventure, this time closer to home.”
What are you doing now?
Operations manager, Andy, “I was contacted by a recruiter about the operations manager position at ETB, and I've got to say, it's great! If you were to line up what I studied in university with what I'm doing now for a living, you'd see zero overlap. But you know what it does show? My keen ability to learn. If I could give advice to anyone just starting their career journey, it would be this: make the most of every opportunity you get and be willing to put the work in. Most skills can transfer from one job to another, and with an adaptable mindset, rewards will follow.”
Marketing manager, Laura, “Edinburgh was an amazing chapter, but I love being back home. I kicked things off by joining ETB Technologies as their Customer Service Manager. It was a great chance to see my skills and experience grow alongside the company’s success, a journey that eventually led me to where I'm at now –their Marketing Manager.
“When I reflect on my university days, I'm certain that the real-world experience I gained in the workplace far surpasses anything I could've learnt from a textbook. Marketing, much like many other industries, isn't meant to be confined within a strict set of dos and don'ts. The true value comes from embracing your own trial and error journey. To me, that's where the most invaluable lesson lies, not in one set of results in a brown envelope.”
At ETB, we aim to inspire and support everyone who wants to explore the technology industry – no matter what exam results you might have received. We hope that our effort to employ locally, train and develop our people while maintaining a high standard of knowledge across all fields, ensures that everyone at ETB feels supported and happy to develop their career and achieve their professional goals.
If you think you might be a good fit for ETB, you can check out our vacancies here: https://www.etb-tech.com/careers.
