Former Pupil R
Attended Oldmachar Academy: 2001 - 2007
Subjects studied at Oldmachar: Maths, English, French, human Biology, Chemistry, Physics
Sheattended Aberdeen university then RGU to study nursing after initially considering health promotion. She currently works as a charge nurse.
Her advice for current Oldmachar pupils planning for their future career: “Work hard so that you have options and do what you enjoy.”
Former Pupil S
Attended Oldmachar Academy: 2003 - 2009
Subjects studied at Oldmachar: Modern Studies, Biology, Chemistry, Maths, English, Psychology
She wanted to be a primary teacher or a nursery nurse. She got work experience as a Rainbow leader and completed a Childcare work experience module.
She is currently a principal teacher at a local primary school.
Her advice for current Oldmachar pupils planning for their future career: “Don't give up on what you really want to do. Listen to the advice given to you and work hard.”
Former Pupil T
Attended Oldmachar Academy: 2004 - 2009
Subjects studied at Oldmachar: Intermediate 2 English, Childcare, Biology, Higher Business Management, Modern Studies
After leaving school she studied an HND Applied Social Science at NESCol and BA (Hons) Applied Social Science at RGU.
She wanted to be a childcare nurse and got work experience through her childcare course at college.
She is currently an Active Schools Coordinator.
Her advice for current Oldmachar pupils planning for their future career: “Don’t get too caught up in the pressure of achieving one specific career. I changed my mind several times during exams and university and even after graduating. I have since found a job that I love and have never looked back.”
Former Pupil U
Attended Oldmachar: 2005 - 2011
Subjects Studied at Oldmachar: English, Modern Studies, History, Biology, Maths, Business Management, Psychology, Music, RME
Her plan at school was to be a primary teacher.
After leaving school she continued her education at the University of Aberdeen and completed her studies to be a primary teacher.
She is now a primary teacher abroad - UAE.
Her advice for current Oldmachar pupils planning for their future career is: “Choose a job you love. Life is too short to be miserable everyday.”
Former Pupil V
Attended Oldmachar Academy: 2005 - 2011
Subjects studied at Oldmachar: Higher French, Higher English, Higher Biology, Higher RME, Higher Business Management
Her initial plans for her career at school were based on the following: “I found the idea of HR very interesting during my Business Management classes - it was often described as a 'people person's' role, helping employees and the business. I could relate to this from working as a waitress part-time whilst in S5 and S6, helping customers whilst ensuring the smooth running of the restaurant and business. This was something I enjoyed so was keen to pursue.”
She received a place at university to study Management with HR, however decided to defer for a year upon leaving school. Less than 12 months after leaving school she secured a job as receptionist/administrator for an oil service company in Aberdeen which led her to completely drop her deferred university course and continue to work full time.
She worked as a waitress during S5 and S6 and believes this was fantastic work experience. She gained a lot of skills on customer service; these skills are vital whether you're a vice president of a multinational corporation or a cashier in retail. Your customers and clients are always right and good customer service skills will be what keeps them coming back. These are skills that she continues to develop today and will continue to do so throughout her career.
She now works as an HR advisor within an oil services company in Aberdeen and has worked for this company for 6 and a half years. She recently completed her PgDip Human Resources Management with Merit from RGU and is now Associate CIPD qualified. She very much enjoys her job and feels very fortunate to be in the position she's in. She has great levels of responsibility but still continues to learn something new every day.
Her advice for current Oldmachar pupils planning for their future career: “There's no one path. Everyone will achieve their career goals in different ways. Try and get work experience before leaving school and/or applying to university - you might realise the career for you is something that can't be taught in school, don't rule anything out, but get out there and try to experience new things and work hard at whatever you do”.
Former Pupil W
Attended Oldmachar Academy: 2006 - 2010
Subjects studied at Oldmachar: French, Biology, Art, History, childcare, English, Maths
She attended is currently completing the second year of her nursing at college.
Her advice for current Oldmachar pupils planning for their future career: “Get advice from teachers/college/university to find out exactly what is needed for your future career.”
Former Pupil X
Attended Oldmachar Academy: 2006 - 2012
Subjects studied at Oldmachar: Maths, English, Biology, Physics, Graphic Communication, Music, French, Modern Studies, Art
She attended Robert Gordon University and completed a Masters in Mechanical Engineering. She now works for KPMG as an auditor and is working towards her gaining her qualification as a chartered accountant. She had originally considered a career in graphic design.
Her advice for current Oldmachar pupils planning for their future career: “Do whatever interests you and don't think about what others are doing.”
Former Pupil Y
Attended Oldmachar Academy: 2006 - 2012
Subjects studied at Oldmachar: Psychology, English, PE, Maths, Modern Studies, History, French, Craft & Design, RMPS, Business Management
He studied Psychology at University of Aberdeen but now works as a QA at an oil and gas company.
His advice for current Oldmachar pupils planning for their future career: “Get as much experience as possible.”
Former Pupil Z
Attended Oldmachar Academy: 2006 - 2012
Subjects studied at Oldmachar Academy: Maths, English, Biology, Chemistry, French, History, Home Economics, Physics, RMPS
She wanted to be a scientist and undertook a placement in a lab at a school and then again when at university.
She now works as a research scientist at a biomedical company undertaking research into new antibiotics.
Her advice for current Oldmachar pupils planning for their future career: “Do subjects that you enjoy and try and get work experience in areas you may be interested in, to try and get a taster for the job to see if you want to pursue it.”
Former Pupil AA
Attended Oldmachar Academy: 2006 - 2012
Subjects studied at Oldmachar: English, Maths, Chemistry, Biology, Early Education and Childcare, French, RMPS, Psychology, Modern Studies
She studied Biomedical Science with Biosciences at RGU and then completed a Postgraduate in Primary Teaching at Aberdeen University. She is currently a primary school teacher.
Her advice for current Oldmachar pupils planning for their future career: “Don’t stress if you’re not sure what you want to do, you have so much time and so many opportunities waiting for you. Don’t think that higher education is the be all and end all, many jobs and experiences are out there that don’t require it (it’s not for everyone!!). Also don’t disqualify alternative pathways after your schooling, some of you might find the most enriching experience in your life”
Former Pupil AB
Attended Oldmachar Academy: 2006 - 2012
Subjects studied at Oldmachar: Music, Modern Studies, Physics, Chemistry, Maths, English, French
He studied Creative Industries: TV at NESCol and then Media at RGU and currently works as a video content assistant.
His advice for current Oldmachar pupils planning for their future career: “If you’re unsure what you want to do college is something to consider over university as the lower level opens many doors just one or two years later.”
Former Pupil AC
Attended Oldmachar Academy: 2006 - 2012
Subjects studied at Oldmachar: English, Maths, Biology, Computing Studies, French, History, Art and Design
She studied English at the University of Aberdeen and then completed a PGDE at University of Aberdeen. She currently works as an English teacher.
Her advice for current Oldmachar pupils planning for their future career: “Keep your options open and take any opportunities given. Use your early years to try new things and find what you like. Never underestimate the influence of part-time work, hobbies or volunteering - I learned a lot being a waitress, bartender and sales associate for a jeweller and, although I now teach, these jobs shaped me and made me better at what I do.”
Former Pupil AD
Attended Oldmachar Academy: 2006 - 2012
Subjects studied at Oldmachar Academy: Maths, English, Business Management, Accounts, Chemistry, Physics, Psychology, History
She was not fully decided on what she wanted to do, but wanted to do something in Business Management. She decided to study Accounts and Finance at university after achieving an A in Higher Accounts.
She is now a branch accountant at Arnold Clark and is studying towards her ACCA exams.
Her advice for current Oldmachar pupils planning for their future career: “Don’t worry too much about making the wrong decision. There’s a lot of pressure around making a decision early on but even if you change your mind there are plenty of options and people to help out along the way to make sure you end up where you should be.”
Former Pupil AE
Attended Oldmachar Academy: 2006 - 2012
Subjects studied at Oldmachar: English, PE, Biology, History, Music, French, Sports Leader, Early Education and Childcare; Highers - English, RMPS, History, Modern Studies, Psychology, and Advanced Higher English
After leaving school: “I was unsure of what I wanted to do but I knew that I wanted to work with people and in a role that was exciting, diverse and involved communication.”
She studied Public Relations at Robert Gordon’s University.
After initially pursuing a career in marketing, working in a variety of industries, she now works for Developing the Young Workforce, in a role working with 14 Secondary schools to create opportunities for their young people. She believes she’s very fortunate, as this role provides her with the perfect blend of what she enjoys doing and utilises all of her previous experience and skills.
Her advice for current Oldmachar pupils planning for their future career: “There is no wrong path, make sure you think about the things you enjoy and consider where your areas of strength are when thinking about the future. I think it's extremely important to try things and don't be afraid of failure as with a failure comes a lesson! "
Former Pupil AF
Attended Oldmachar Academy: 2007 - 2013
Subjects studied at Oldmachar: English, Maths, German, Chemistry, Administration, History, Modern Studies, Home Economics
She is currently studying Adult Nursing at RGU after going into the workplace and gaining some good experience/skills.
Her advice for current Oldmachar pupils planning for their future career: “It’s never too late to go to university if you change your mind or don’t get the grades you want when you leave school.”
Former Pupil AG
Attended Oldmachar Academy: 2007 - 2013
Subjects studied at Oldmachar Academy: Maths, English, German, Business Management, Accounts, Art, Chemistry, History
Her initial career plan was to go to university after finishing school, but did not achieve the required grades. She attended college and completed a 2+2 course studying Law and Business Management.
She now works for an oil and gas company in the legal department doing contracts.
Her advice for current Oldmachar pupils planning for their future career: “If you don’t achieve the grades you were hoping for, it’s not the end of the world. There are plenty alternative routes in qualifying in your chosen career path.”
Former Pupil AH
Attended Oldmachar Academy: 2007 - 2013
Subjects studied at Oldmachar: English, Maths, Chemistry, Biology, Graphic Communication, Modern Studies, Psychology, Business Management, Accounts
She chose the 2+2 route and gained a HND in Administration and IT from Aberdeen College, followed by a BA (Hons) in Management with Human Resource Management from Robert Gordon University.
Her advice for current Oldmachar pupils planning for their future career: “Do not be afraid to do your own research and figure out the path best suited to you.”
Former Pupil AI
Attended Oldmachar Academy 2008 - 2012
Subjects studied at Oldmachar: S4 - Maths, English, French, Biology, Graphic Communication, Business Management, Computing, Modern Studies; S5 - Maths, English, Business Management, RMPS, Modern Studies
Her initial career plans at school were to go to college to do a HND in Business. She completed an HND Admin and IT, and a BA (Hons) Management and MSc Fashion Management.
She is currently a Cancer Support Manager for the North of Scotland.
Her advice to current Oldmachar pupils planning for their future career: “Understand the subjects you need for university courses of interest. Research jobs with shortages in the country you intend to work. None of this information was provided to me at school, if it had been, I believe this would have helped shape pupils career paths.”
Former Pupil AJ
Attended Oldmachar Academy: 2008 - 2013
Subjects studied at Oldmachar: English, Maths, French, Business Management, Accounts, Biology, HE, Modern Studies
After leaving school: “I went to College for 3 weeks before finding that it was not for me. I left College and got a full-time job as an office administrator in an energy company. Later I went through a self-study qualification in a CIPD level 3 diploma in HR Management, and then completed my Level 5 Diploma in HR management.”
She currently works as a HR administrator.
Her advice for current Oldmachar pupils planning for their future career: “I would advise that there is always a way to get to where you want to be. I thought I had to go to college or university however I now have a degree in HR which was achieved through self-study that my work fully funded and supported. I lasted 3 weeks at college and my experience was that I was learning things I already knew and I was being held back by people in my class who weren’t sure on what they were doing. I would have had the same level of qualification I have today if I stayed at college and went onto University, however I have 4 years of HR on-the-job experience which was created at the same time as studying.”
Former Pupil AK
Attended Oldmachar Academy: 2008 - 2013
Subjects studied at Oldmachar: Maths, English, Modern Studies, Geography, Administration, French
Her initial career plans when she was at school weren’t clear but business related.
She continued to further/higher education or training, at RGU, BA Management (Hons)
She is now an account executive.
Her advice to current Oldmachar pupils who are planning for their future career: “Play to your strengths.”
Former Pupil AL
Attended Oldmachar Academy: 2008 - 2013
Subjects studied at Oldmachar: Business Management, Biology, Home Economics, English, Maths
She didn’t have any real plans, the plan was to try and get an office job somewhere in Aberdeen.
She did a week work experience at the university of Aberdeen in the graduate office doing general administration.
She left school and started as an administration assistant at an oil and gas company. This was an entry level position and she worked her way up to a project coordinator after 3 years.
She is currently a project controller/ planner for a missile defence company (MBD.A) based near London. Their main client is the Ministry of Defence, and her job includes attending meetings with the MOD and making sure programmes are on schedule and on budget.
Her advice to current Oldmachar pupils who are planning for their future career: “Really focus on the subjects at school you enjoy. I enjoyed Business Management but never took it seriously. Business Management would have really helped me now in my current role. If I had taken it seriously, I could have gone onto further education studying Business Management and been more knowledgeable in my current role. Looking back, I also should have taken Maths and English more seriously at school as this would have also really helped me throughout my career.”
Former Pupil AM
Attended Oldmachar Academy: 2008 - 2014
Subjects studied at Oldmachar: S4 - SG Maths, Physics, Chemistry, English, French, History and Art & Int. 2 Music; S5 - Higher Maths, Physics, Chemistry, French & English (AAAAB); S6 - Advanced Higher Maths, Physics & Chemistry (ABB)
Initially she did not have a clue what she wanted to do and was convinced she would leave school after S4 and get some sort of office job, but by S3 she really liked school and loved learning (particularly Maths & Science).
She changed her plans and found out about engineering - she looked more into the different kinds of engineering and became interested in chemical engineering after reading course syllabuses and speaking to people on university open days.
She suggests that “All part time work I did during school helped increase my communication skills which are valuable in any career path. I also was part of the senior student leadership team and chair of the yearbook committee in S6 which helped increase my leadership, teamwork and organisation skills which were all very useful for my degree and for engineering career paths in general (degree/apprenticeship/job) as you are often working as part of a team and you need to be able to coordinate and organise and make decisions”.
She continued her studies after school by attending the University of Edinburgh, studied MEng Chemical Engineering for 5 years 2014 - 2019. She finished this course despite a challenging first year where “I wasn't sure if I had picked the right course for me. Luckily after the first year the content got more interesting and more what I thought engineering would be and by 5th year I thoroughly enjoyed most of my course - particularly laboratories/research.”
She is about to begin a PhD in Engineering at the University of Edinburgh after graduating in summer with her MEng degree - “First year me would not have seen this coming!”
Her advice for current Oldmachar pupils planning for their future career: “Don't follow a career path just because someone in your life wants you to do that career path - look around and find what sparks your interest, what makes you tick and what brings you genuine happiness. Even if you're wary of university choices etc, there is always chances to change courses completely or university might not be for you at all - and that's ok! Work experience and shadowing is a great way to see if you enjoy something or not before diving into it and there are always people to talk to.”
Former Pupil AN
Attended Oldmachar Academy: 2008 - 2013
Subjects studied at Oldmachar: S5 - Art, Business Management, English, Maths, Modern Studies, S4 - Art, Graphic Communications, Business Management, English, Maths, French, Biology, Modern Studies
Initially she wasn't sure what she wanted to do when leaving school, she had interests in different things, but nothing that stood out as a career path.
She did not have any work experience whilst at school but wishes she did as “experience when looking for a job is the main thing that employers want. Volunteering for a charity or just free work would have helped.”
She studied a Media and PR Entry Course at North East Scotland College, then 2+2 Advertising & PR > Public Relations (NESCol > RGU)
She now works as a Marketing Account Coordinator at Doqaru, a sales business development and marketing consultancy in Aberdeen.
Her advice for current Oldmachar pupils planning for their future career: “Take any opportunity that comes your way (within reason). But if it doesn't work out, keep your head up and continue to work towards your goals”.
Former Pupil AO
Attended Oldmachar Academy: 2008 - 2013
Subjects studied at Oldmachar: Maths, English, Human Biology, Graphic Communication, Art, Chemistry, Psychology
She wanted to become a pharmacologist, but changed her career path after she realised she wanted a job that was creative.
She now works as a Junior Art Director in Berlin.
Her advice for current Oldmachar pupils planning for their future career: “Think about what would make you happy to do every day, not just what you’re good at. Because I was very good at Maths and Science but I couldn’t imagine myself working in a lab everyday which is why I chose something else.”
Former Pupil AP
Attended Oldmachar Academy: 2008 - 2013
Subjects studied at Oldmachar: Accounts, History, Maths, English, Physics, Graphic Communications
Her initial career plans when she was at school were to become an interior designer/ architect.
She changed her career plan because she couldn’t understand Graphic Communication and Physics.
She is currently a support administrator.
Her advice for current Oldmachar pupils who are planning for their future career: “Find something you enjoy doing, it's not all about the job, the company and people all make you like or dislike a job.”
Former Pupil AQ
Attended Oldmachar Academy: 2008 - 2014
Subjects studied at Oldmachar: S4 - English, Maths, Biology, Music, French, Modern Studies, geography, Business Management; S5 - Modern Studies, RMPS, Music, Maths, English; S6 - English, Psychology, Business Management
After leaving school she studied Primary Education at the University of Aberdeen. She now works as a Primary School Teacher.
Her advice for current Oldmachar pupils planning for their future career: “Don’t be scared to take time out after school to think. Don’t rush into a course you aren’t fully committed to. I had a year out after school gaining experience and attended university a year later.”
Former Pupil AR
Attended Oldmachar Academy: 2008 - 2014
Subjects studied at Oldmachar: Standard Grade - Maths, English, History, Modern Studies, Business Management, Biology, Art, Computing; Intermediate 2 - English, Maths; Higher - Business Management, Art & Modern Studies, Psychology; Advanced Higher - Modern Studies
Gemma initially wanted to do events management/PR but changed her plans when she did not get a high enough grade in Higher English for PR at university.
She gained experience through World Challenge and Volunteering at a primary school.
After school, she completed a BA (Hons) International Tourism Management at Robert Gordon University.
She is now working as a sales and marketing graduate at CALA Homes.
Her advice for Oldmachar pupils planning for their future career: “Put yourself out there as much as you can, apply for jobs that you want to do, not what 'on paper' you should do. Take all the opportunities you get, no matter how small, or hassle.”
