Career Stories

How can a passion for health, fitness and helping others lead to a varied career? In this episode of Career Stories, Abbi Hems shares her journey into healthcare as an NHS physiotherapy support worker, helping people recover after accidents and operations. She also discusses completing her HND in sports therapy and building her own sports massage business. Abbi talks about combining NHS employment with self-employment, the skills she uses across both roles and why careers do not have to follow one set path. She also shares what she has learned from long-distance running, fundraising for Scottish Action for Mental Health and competing in Ms Great Britain Ayrshire. Whether you’re exploring NHS careers, physiotherapy, sports therapy or self-employment, Abbi’s story is full of inspiration and practical career insights. 🎧 Listen to Career Stories now and discover more from My World of Work https://linktr.ee/myworldofwork Subscribe for more real career stories from people working across different jobs and industries in Scotland.

What does it take to build a successful career in estate agency, become a property valuation expert and grow a recognisable business using the power of social media? In this episode, Joe and Carrie are joined by Vikki Ridler, owner of 5th Avenue Homes, to explore her journey through the property and estate agency industry. Vikki talks candidly about the work ethic she developed from a young age, the experiences that shaped her career and what it takes to succeed in a fast-moving, people-focused profession. She also shares her advice for young people considering a career in estate agency, explaining why strong communication skills, confidence and assertiveness can make all the difference. The conversation also explores Vikki’s unexpected social media journey. Despite initially knowing very little about platforms such as Instagram and TikTok, encouragement from her Head of Social Media helped her step in front of the camera and use short-form content to promote 5th Avenue Homes, share her property expertise and connect with new audiences. Whether you’re interested in estate agency careers, property valuation, entrepreneurship, social media marketing or building a personal brand, this episode is packed with honest insights and practical career advice. Watch the full episode and let us know in the comments: Which skill do you think matters most in estate agency? Subscribe for more conversations about careers, skills and the different routes people take into the world of work. Discover more from My World of Work (https://linktr.ee/myworldofwork) Follow 5th Avenue Homes on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/5thavenuehomesltd) ...and TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@5thavenuehomes)

Scotland’s Apprentice of the Year and electronics project engineer at JFD Ltd, Fraser Bruce chats about his career journey. Fraser chats about his positive experience of work-based learning, first as a Modern Apprentice (MA) with Michelin Tyres in Dundee and then as a Graduate Apprentice (GA) with JFD Ltd. Fraser explains how he even pitched the GA to his employers as a perfect way to get him the workplace skills he required while also achieving the necessary academic qualification with Heriot-Watt University. At only 29, Fraser can say he has worked on projects, which have saved the organisation millions while also patenting his own device, which has been used in real world application on seafaring submarines. Fraser also chats about his experience at school; the subjects he loved and didn’t and how he first heard about apprenticeships. Listen now and remember to follow and subscribe for all future episodes! 🔗 https://linktr.ee/myworldofwork

Foday Mannah is an English teacher based in Livingston, Scotland as well as a published author. His debut book, 'The Search for Othella Savage' was picked as one of The Times' crime novel selections for 2025. Foday joins Joe and Carrie on the podcast to chat about his career journey, which has taken him from London to Sierra Leone and on to Scotland. He talks about his experience in school, his early foray into the world of work and then exploring his creative writing flair and becoming a published writer. Like/Subscribe/Follow for more Career Stories.

Highland Youth Convener Leah McBain joins Joe and Carrie on the Career Stories podcast to chat about work, careers and opportunities in the highlands and islands of Scotland. Leah has travelled the length and breadth of highlands to learn about the issues that matter to young people. She has also used her role to promote digital safety and talk about the future of technology. She believes that young people can have a great career in the world of work in the north of Scotland. Watch to learn more about Leah's own journey and her ambitions for the future. Make sure you like, follow and subscribe to Career Stories wherever you get your podcasts. https://linktr.ee/myworldofwork

Cabinet Secretary for Education, Culture and Gaelic, Màiri McAllan MSP joins Carrie on the podcast for a special Results Helpline focused episode of Career Stories. Ms. McAllan hears more about the role Skills Development Scotland careers advisers have when it comes to supporting people with their exam results while Carrie also talks about her own positive experiences as an adviser on the helpline. Hear about what young people, their parents and carers can expect when they call as well as the common questions advisers answer. And it wouldn’t be a Career Stories episode without hearing about Ms. McAllan’s own career to date. She has served as Cabinet Secretary in various portfolios including Housing and Net Zero as well as previously serving a Special Adviser to the First Minister.

Team Scotland / Great Britain Basketball star and three-time Paralympian, Robyn Love joins Joe and Carrie for the latest episode to chat about her journey to the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games. Robyn discusses her aspirations growing up, her life at school and how she found her way into sports. She is also an ambassador for Athlete Ally and is an advocate for LGBTQ+ equality in all sports. As a professional athlete and speaker, Robyn uses her platform to promote equality and encourage people of all ages to enjoy sports and stay healthy. Enjoy the episode and remember to follow us for more!

Legal eagles will enjoy the latest episode of Career Stories, which features two aspiring lawyers from Harper Macleod LLP. Joining Joe and Carrie on the podcast is banking trainee Arnold Masayila and Kyna Malcomson who has just finished her final law exams at Edinburgh University. Arnold, who lived his early life in Zimbabwe, talks about his career journey; from studying in London to moving to Scotland and completing his studies at Stirling University. While Kyna discusses how her business apprenticeship at Harper Macleod’s office in Lerwick gave her the impetus to explore a career in law. On the subject of career expectations, Arnold explains how his parents’ traditional expectations set him on a choice between careers in medicine and law…but it was the fictional Uncle Phil (of Fresh Prince of Bel Air) that swayed his desire to become a lawyer. It was also a family relationship that got Kyna considering her path. Learning from her dad, she considers herself handy on the tools as a mechanic – but it didn’t feel like a long term thing for her, which led to exploring other avenues. Arnold also talks about his love of American Football and how a gap year helped him take the time to mentally prepare for the next phase of his academic and work-based learning. Beyond sports he is also a champion for diversity in work and loves to celebrate parts of his African heritage (particularly when it comes to music and food) with his colleagues. He was named Young Professional Rising Star at the Black Scottish Awards in October 2025. Listen now for lots of insightful chat on what both guests are learning and how their roles work in practice with Harper Macleod. Kyna shares her take on what it actually means to study law and why other young people shouldn’t feel daunted by the prospect of entering the profession. Like and subscribe to catch all the latest episodes of Career Stories. For even more Career Stories insights, visit https://www.myworldofwork.co.uk/career-stories/1

The latest guest on the Career Stories podcast is Andrew McCrystal, our host Joe's twin brother! Andrew is a police constable in the Retail Crime Taskforce division of Police Scotland and based in Glasgow. In this episode, he talks about his working life before becoming a police officer and how he made the decision to apply. Andrew then talks about the journey he's had over the past 10 years with Police Scotland and all the things that fulfil him in his role. He also gives essential advice to anyone thinking of applying to become a police officer and the skills, characteristics and mindset required to succeed. Make sure to subscribe to catch this and all future episodes of Career Stories. And please come over and follow us on the socials too. 👇 https://instagram.com/mywowscotland https://tiktok.com/@mywowscotland https://linktr.ee/myworldofwork

On the latest episode of Career Stories, Jamie and Carrie are joined by Sonja, a Senior Associate Software Engineer at JP Morgan, based in Glasgow. Sonja is a former Graduate Apprentice and has progressed through the ranks at the company. She talks about how she got interested in software engineering, considered apprenticeships in comparison to university and then the application process. Sonja is also a passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion in apprenticeship. As a member of the Scottish Apprenticeship Advisory Board’s Apprentice Engagement Group and Co-Chair of the Employer Equalities Group, she used her own experience to promote STEM apprenticeships to young women from minority communities. Remember to like and subscribe to catch all future episodes. Discover more Career Stories on My World of Work 🔗 https://www.myworldofwork.co.uk/career-stories/1