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.