Courting success
Here, WOW graduate Shirley Dolan describes how, with the help of WOW, she went from having no confidence to becoming a highly successful professional.
“My name is Shirley and I am a Line Manager in the court officers department of Edinburgh Sheriff Court.
When I first made contact with WOW, I was a single mother with two children, and had been out of mainstream employment for about ten years.
I had done some volunteering while my children were at nursery and school, but when my youngest started school, I decided that the time was right to get back into employment – but how? I had no self confidence and didn’t feel I had any skills to offer a future employer. It had been many years since I had submitted any form of CV or attended an interview, and the prospect seemed daunting. It became clear that if I was going to succeed I would need some help.
Once I faced up to the fact that that no-one was going to tap on my door and offer me a job I realised that I had to find out where to get the help and ask for it.
I first heard about WOW at my son’s school. Getting a place on the WOW course was a real achievement for me and I felt good – I had overcome that first hurdle.
I found the course itself really invaluable – and when I was offered a work placement at the Sheriff Court as a Court Officer, I jumped at the chance to do it. Just as I was completing my placement, I found out that the courts were recruiting for two court officers. With my new found confidence, interview skills and updated CV I decided to give it a go. So I applied, and got the job!
I have now been in the courts for 5 years. Nine months ago I achieved something which I would never have dreamt possible, when I was promoted to Line Manager, in charge of 12 other people.
One of the things I enjoy about my new role is that I can provide placements for WOW trainees. Yes, WOW has been good for me but it has also given me the chance to put something back.
Thanks to WOW my life has changed dramatically for the better!”
Update: One of the placements provided by Shirley has just led to another full time job for one of our recent graduates. Read more here.
