Student Spotlight - Allie Cobban
“I thought I was too old to start again, and too experienced to start from the bottom of another area of work altogether, but none of those things were true and I wish I’d done it years ago!”
It’s never too late to change your career and explore something new. We offer a wide range of courses and flexible learning options to allow you to reskill and gain additional skills to thrive in a new career. In this week’s blog, we hear from a student who has done exactly this.
Can you introduce yourself?
My name is Allie Cobban, and I am from Perth.
What course are you studying at UHI Perth, and what year are you currently in?
Last year I studied the HNC in Administration and Information Technology and now I am in my HND year.
How did you hear about UHI Perth?
I don’t live far from campus, and my sister did a course here many years ago.
What were you doing before you came to UHI Perth?
After completing a classics degree in 2012, I worked in retail for over a decade - working my way up from sales assistant to management.
Why did you decide to pick this course?
I realised that in my retail job, I was only enjoying the admin side of things. People would ask me for all sorts of help with spreadsheets and printers, and I decided to study so that I could understand this side of things better and be able to progress onto admin jobs so that I could stop working in retail. I attended an Open Day and spoke to Alison Kirk, who became my PAT on the course. She answered all my questions and eliminated the last hesitations I had about making such a big change.
What is your favourite thing about the course?
My favourite thing is probably spreadsheets! I enjoy numbers and formulas; I did consider the accounting course, but I am so glad I chose Admin as it is a broad subject with a variety of modules that I have really enjoyed. My favourite thing is probably how supportive everyone is including my lecturers and classmates.
Has there been any standout/memorable moments from your course?
Getting to go to the Scottish Parliament as part of my Business Law module last year and watching meetings take place was very interesting!
📸 Our Accounting, Business and Administration students had a fascinating visit to The Scottish Parliament in December 2023. The group were welcomed by Holyrood’s Education Service and spent some time learning about the role and structure of the Parliament, and how individuals can have their voice heard. They then finished with a visit to the public gallery of the debating chamber and listened to Portfolio questions in the areas of Agriculture and the Environment and Health.
What knowledge, skills and experience have you gained from your course that will help you when you leave UHI Perth?
I have gained a lot of knowledge and experience beyond what I learned as part of my retail jobs. The course has really enriched my understanding of the expectations of an administrator’s job day-to-day and I have learned how important administrators can be to a business. I had no experience of databases before I came to college, so I am happy that I have got to know them in class before I had to work them out in the workplace. I now feel ready to tackle an office admin job which felt unthinkable two years ago!
Have your lecturers been supportive during your studies?
My lecturers have been very supportive, especially my PAT, Alison Kirk. I feel so reassured by them and nothing ever feels like a silly question! They all foster such a culture of collaboration and inclusion and have been very understanding.
What do you like about the campus/facilities?
There’s always something going on. I enjoy the food offers in the Brahan canteen, and my daily Costa coffee! I like that the library and Study Skills staff are on hand for any questions I have.
Have you enjoyed studying at UHI Perth? Any highlights?
I have really enjoyed my time at UHI Perth. The friendships I have made have definitely been a highlight.
Do you have any hobbies or interests outside of your studies?
I love a good pub quiz! I enjoy photography (very amateur – just with my phone these days!) and I am an auntie to eight so that keeps me very busy.
What are your future career plans?
Hopefully I will become an office administrator. I am still considering moving onto the Business and Management degree if all goes well this year as this is something UHI offers, so I have a few options to consider.
And finally, what advice would you give to someone thinking about studying at UHI Perth?
Just go for it! I had been saying for years that I wanted to pivot from retail to admin, but I kept putting it off because I thought I was too old to start again, and too experienced to start from the bottom of another area of work altogether, but none of those things were true and I wish I’d done it years ago! My time here has been so lovely and pivotal in my changing careers, and I am very grateful for my experiences here.
