Alumni Spotlight - Jack Parr
“College was different to school as it was an excellent stepping-stone into the real world.”
After realising he could use his passion for sport to carve out a career, Jack completed a range of courses at Perth College UHI and is now running a successful business in the local area.
Can you introduce yourself?
My name is Jack Parr, and I went to Perth Grammar School.
Why did you choose a schools college course at Perth College UHI?
Whilst I was still at school, I chose to do a schools college course because it was a way to channel my interests into the educational side. For someone that struggled at school with concentrating and not enjoying most aspects, the college course was perfect for me. I loved sport, and it was a way to channel what I excelled in and get rewards at the end of the course.
What course did you choose?
I chose Skills for Work: Sport and Recreation, which was a good pathway to HNC Fitness, Health, and Exercise.
What did you learn on this course?
I learnt a lot on this course, specifically more real-world education - with real world life and learning skills - rather than the artificial learning that happens in a lot of the education system - skills you will not use in the real world.
Was your college experience different from school?
College was different to school as it was an excellent stepping-stone into the real world. It allowed me to use my skills and to create a good amount of independence in taking responsibility for my own learning; which I excelled in as I was interested in my course.
How did this course help you decide what you wanted to do next?
It made me realise that I wanted to progress in the fitness industry.
What did you do after you finished your course?
After my Skills for Work: Sport and Recreation, I then went on to HNC/HND Fitness Health and Exercise and then onto the BSc Sport and Fitness degree. I didn’t finish my 3rd year, as I realised that I had reached my limit and was better going into work. The college were very supportive of this process.
What have you been doing since graduating from Perth College UHI?
I started working full time at Bannatyne Fitness Club full time and then I rented a space there working as a self-employed Personal Trainer. I then started selling nutritional supplements alongside working as a Personal Training. While I was still personal training and selling supplements, I started up Macrotrition a healthy food meal prep bulk order business from a dark kitchen. I then progressed into a shop/takeaway in Perth city centre. After opening the Perth store, I opened a store in Fife doing the exact same thing. The two stores are currently running, and I have now invested into a Macrotrition food truck which is currently getting renovated. Once it’s ready, I’ll be going from city to city and sporting events, selling healthy food out the back of the converted long wheelbase Ford transit.
I now go back into the college and speak with students as a guest and this year I spoke to them at their induction, which is a great thing to be involved in.
How did your journey through school and college help you?
It helped me a lot, especially college, as the education is specific to life skills that are needed to progress in your life. It’s real-life skills you learn, and the ‘Skills for Work’ course really made me want to go to college.
What would your top tip be for any young person considering choosing a college course whilst still at school?
Invest the time in doing your own work outside the classroom and not to choose a specific college course for the sake of choosing a college course. Choose a course that you genuinely want to do and use in your life.
