Student makes use of university services and lands dream job in Australia

MSc (Hons) Podiatry student Heather MacDougall has made the most of her time at university, going above and beyond her degree through volunteering, research and professional development opportunities.

Throughout her studies, Heather has embraced opportunities offered by student services, particularly through the Careers Team, helping her build an impressive range of skills, experiences and professional achievements that have now secured her a graduate role in Australia.

Last month, Heather received the Employability Award.

Alongside this achievement, she completed the Carnegie Vocation Scholarship last summer, undertaking an innovative two-part study exploring the impact of eating disorders on foot health.

Her research gained national recognition, winning the People's Choice Award at the Royal College of Podiatry's annual conference in November last year.

Now, as she prepares to begin her career on the other side of the world, Heather credits the Employability Award and support from the Careers Team for helping her stand out to employers.

She will head to Australia later this year, where she will put the knowledge and skills she has gained throughout her studies into practice.

Heather spoke to us about how the Employability Award contributed to her success.

What motivated you to apply for the Employability Award?

“I learned about it at the start of fourth year; they were discussing it in one of my classes and then I realised that all the activities I had been doing over the last couple of years would go towards it.

“I just had to then write it all down, it was also a good way of reflecting on all the volunteering I did, and it counted towards an award I didn’t even know existed."

Do you feel like the award has helped prepare you for entering the job market?

“I think it prepared me a lot more for writing my CV, it was a way of putting together all the work that I had done.

“I hadn't even really thought about some of the stuff I had done until it came to having to put it all down in paper, counting towards hours, then I realised just how many different activities I had done.

“A lot that would’ve maybe left off my CV if I hadn't written about it, so it was good that way.

“I also did an interview about my CV and that was really helpful, because speaking to somebody in the careers about the questions that would be asked, and what you want in your CV versus what you talk about was really helpful, and it did help me secure a job, so it all works out.

“I got a job in Australia, and I head off in August/September.”

What role will you be taking up?

“I was going into podiatry, so they had a look at my CV, and with all the work that I've done, that was what attracted it to them, their employability, all the extra volunteer things, it made me a really good candidate for working in a team, and that's what they were looking for.

“I have never lived in Australia, so this is the first time. It will be fun and an adventure, I'm really excited about it, and all this has helped towards it.

“Even just being able to talk about the things you've done has been a good experience for promoting yourself while talking about the stuff that you've done to help others.”

Would you recommend the award to other students?

“I would, I think knowing about it, if I had known about it in first year, it might have helped me find a way of different things I would like to try.

“I just jumped into everything anyway and I was lucky to already be doing that, but for some people who are wanting to get involved and really not quite sure what they want to do, having this award might actually be good for people to know the list of opportunities that you can take part in that count towards hours for this award.

“Everybody likes getting an award at the end of the day, so I think it's a great thing, and it really is helpful.”

As Heather prepares to graduate and begin an exciting new chapter in Australia, her journey highlights the value of getting involved beyond the classroom and making the most of the opportunities available throughout university life.

Find out more about studying Podiatry at GCU

By Lucy Rodgers

Got a story you’d like to share with me? Email me at lucy.rodgers@gcu.ac.uk or connect with me on LinkedIn.