Twenty-eight year old, Natalie Paterson from Greenock, has shown remarkable perseverance and dedication in her academic journey. After years of working in various roles, she decided to return to education to pursue a career in accountancy. Through determination and hard work, she overcame significant challenges to excel in her studies, culminating in her securing a place at Glasgow Caledonian University.
Unlike many students who transition directly from school to college, Natalie’s path was less conventional. "After leaving school, I started working without a clear career plan," Natalie said. In 2016, she enrolled in a business administration course but soon realised it was not the right fit for her. She then continued working in the hospitality industry but always felt she wanted more for her future. In 2019, Natalie returned to college to study business management with the goal of running her own business. However, she discovered that she did not enjoy most of the course modules. A turning point came when she studied financial accounting as part of the course.
Although I didn’t enjoy most of the business management modules, financial accounting was the one I found most interesting. That’s when I realised accountancy was the right path for me.
she explained. This realisation led her to enrol in an accountancy course in 2020, a decision that has since proven to be the perfect fit.
Natalie faced numerous challenges during her studies, but her resilience never wavered. She began her HNC Accountancy in 2020, just as the Covid-19 pandemic forced all learning to be remote. "Studying from home was incredibly difficult. There were so many distractions, and it was hard to stay engaged during Teams calls," she recalled. Another major challenge came during her HND studies when she became pregnant midway through the course. Suffering from severe illness, she had to take weeks off, ultimately leading to her missing assessment deadlines and falling behind. "I had to make the difficult decision to leave the course, as catching up felt overwhelming," she said. After giving birth to her daughter, Natalie took a year off before returning to restart her HND in 2023.
That was the best decision I could have made. I came back with a clearer mindset and stronger motivation to complete my studies.
Juggling coursework with caring for a toddler was tough, but she remained committed and ultimately excelled, achieving an A in both her Graded Unit 2 and Graded Unit 3.
Since completing her HND, Natalie has progressed to Glasgow Caledonian University, where she is currently in her third year pursuing a BA (Hons) in Accountancy.
My college qualification played a crucial role in securing my place at university, she said.
Natalie is now focused on gaining practical experience and is actively seeking a summer internship before entering her final year. "An internship will be a great stepping stone in preparing for my postgraduate career," she noted.
Looking ahead, Natalie has a clear vision for her career. "My goal over the next 5 to 10 years is to secure a postgraduate role at an accounting firm and work towards completing my professional exams to become a fully qualified Chartered Accountant," she shared. She hopes to progress within a firm, taking on increasing responsibilities and eventually stepping into a managerial role, ideally within the audit department.
Reflecting on her college experience, Natalie described it as
a journey of perseverance and growth, overcoming challenges while achieving top grades through determination and hard work.
She also expressed her gratitude for the unwavering support of her lecturers, Lynne, Patricia, and Denise.
They have been nothing short of amazing. Their guidance and encouragement helped me push through tough times, and I truly wouldn’t be where I am today without them.
Natalie was also fortunate to gain a place on the ICAS Foundation programme, a scholarship opportunity for accounting and risk management university students.
If anyone is considering studying accounting and wants to continue onto university, I highly encourage applying. The support they offer is second to none," she said.
She highlighted the benefits of the programme, which includes mentorship, assistance in securing internships, postgraduate job opportunities, and financial support through a bursary. "It’s an incredible opportunity for aspiring accountants to focus more on their studies without the added financial stress," she added.
Natalie’s journey serves as encouragement to anyone facing challenges, proving that with determination and the right support, success is always within reach.
Feeling inspired? Take the first step towards your own success with our August start Accountancy courses - click here!