STEM Returners

Claudia Nordgren

Thu, 13 Jul 2023 11:00:00 +0000

Returning after a career break - Claudia Nordgren

Prior to Claudia’s career break, she worked as an engineer in Sweden within the marine industry.

I chose to take a career break because I wanted to change industry and the pandemic struck just as I had left my previous job. Although I had not consciously chosen to have a break, I am very glad I had one! It helped me put things into perspective and I took this opportunity to explore what I really wanted from a career and life.

My break certainly improved my adaptability, as I’m sure it has for many of us in the last year! But more importantly, I learned to appreciate how good it is to make smaller steps towards a goal.

In terms of the interview process, interviews can always be somewhat daunting, but it makes it so much easier when you are genuinely excited about the role and the company. I also take the approach of giving it my 100% and hope this comes across at the time. The process itself was smooth and I was kept up to date at all times.

When I found out I’d been successful I was delighted! I have always wanted to work in the Low carbon/Renewable industry and SSE is a front runner on this, so I was very pleased to have joined as an Assistant Project Engineer in the Project Engineering team within SSE Transmission. Since originally joining, I have progressed in my career and I currently work as an Assistant Engineer Manager in the same team. My role is really varied which I am enjoying. There are also so many opportunities to get involved to not only develop your skills and take your career to next level, but also to be part of delivering projects that make a difference!

Ruth Cruikshank

Thu, 13 Jul 2023 07:49:01 +0000

Returning after a career break - Ruth Cruikshank

Ruth worked for 30 years in quality assurance and business assurance management prior to her career break.

At the start of the covid pandemic, the contract I had been working on came to an end and, in all truth, I was ok with that, in fact, I was looking forward to some time out but …. there is only so many books to read, so much daytime TV to watch, so many walks the dogs can endure and so many household chores one can take. The truth is I missed working.

I started looking at the job market. Jobs weren’t exactly abundant during the early part of the pandemic, and I soon realised not only was there a shortage of jobs, but I was on the wrong side of 50, female and had been out of work for a period! I did however have years of experience and a good skill set.

I joined LinkedIn. One day I was contacted by a recruiter – STEM Returners - regarding the role of Business Assurance Manager at SSE Thermal, it sounded great so where was the catch? The role was in Perth, Glasgow, or Dublin, most definitely not within my commutable range – I live in Aberdeen. I said thank you but I cannot put myself forward for application due to my location and thought that was that. A couple of weeks past and STEM Returners contacted me again and said SSE would consider working from home! Great news, send my application, please!!

I’m delighted I was offered the role and even more delighted to be working for a diverse and inclusive company that could see that age, location, or current employment status, was not an obstacle and who could appreciate the experience and skill set I could bring to the business and, moreover, were open to employing from out with the immediate industry.

I’m enjoying working from home and the quiet that brings to my concentration (I’m more productive than I’ve ever been), the absence of early morning commuting and the flexibility. I’m so impressed and grateful to STEM Returns for their open-mindedness in realising skillsets are assets for life, and to Thermal for choosing to be that inclusive company that can also see the benefit in recruiting from a diverse pool.

Sue Fowlie

Mon, 17 Jul 2023 09:52:57 +0000

Returning after a career break - Sue Fowlie

Prior to taking a career break, Sue was a Project Manager specialising in metering businesses across electricity, gas and water, including British Gas, npower and Scottish Power.

I delivered large, complex projects ranging from bespoke software applications supporting market competition, to asset management systems, data management solutions and billing Datamart’s.

After many years away from the world of work, returning was quite a daunting thought. Having that gap in my CV definitely made it more difficult to find a suitable job and I did get to a point when I thought it might not happen.

I had come across the STEM Returners website and literally couldn’t believe my luck that SSE had a programme, up the road in Perth. The STEM Returners team encouraged me to apply.

I had a belief that I would still be able to apply my previous work experiences. I had fond memories of working for big utility companies and so it felt like returning home. The flexibility of the role was really important to me. Flexibility just didn’t exist in the form it does now, and I am sure it will benefit many people trying to return.

I submitted my CV as well as a questionnaire which asked about my knowledge of the company, my proudest work achievements and how I might approach certain scenarios. The interview itself was not quite the same as for the “normal” recruitment process and was designed to accommodate the fact I was a returner in so much as it did not rely so heavily on competency-based questions.

I was hired as a Development Project Manager and, since then, have received phenomenal support from my manager which has helped me be successful. Not only have I been supported in finding my feet but also encouraged to find ways to promote and utilise the experiences I have had across my career.