I left school with one qualification: here's how continuous learning shaped my career

by Holly Malcolmson

When I left school in 2017, I had one recognised qualification and no real sense of direction. There was no grand plan or clear path, only a nudge from my parents to, "just do something."

So, I did. I started a Modern Apprenticeship with my local council. And that one decision changed everything for me.

Learning that actually clicked

Over the next few years, I moved across several departments before finding my place in the housing sector. About a year in, I went on to complete my CIH Level 4 and 5 qualifications and passed every unit first time.

What surprised me most wasn’t the results, but the fact I genuinely enjoyed studying.

For someone who didn't shine academically at school, this was a big turning point. It reinforced something I now feel strongly about: your career should never be defined by how you performed in a classroom at sixteen. Learning looks different for everyone, and sometimes it clicks later. That is more than okay.

Building a career I never expected

Those qualifications, combined with hands-on experience across different housing teams, opened doors I had never assumed were open to me. I progressed into roles I thought were simply out of reach.

More recently, I made the move from local authority to housing association. In many ways it’s a different world, but the learning hasn’t slowed down. If anything, it's accelerated. I am constantly picking up new skills, gaining confidence and pushing myself to grow.

The value of support and mentorship

One of the most impactful steps I've taken lately is starting a mentorship through CIH. Having the chance to work closely with an experienced leader has given me guidance, perspective, and reassurance when I need it most.

I also had the opportunity to attend a leaders' lunch with my mentor at the CIH Scotland Housing Festival. Sitting alongside sector leaders and taking part in open conversations about the challenges facing the sector did not feel out of reach, it felt like a natural part of my development and a reminder of how far I have come. 

Why learning at work matters

Working for an organisation that genuinely invests in your development makes a difference that's hard to overstate. When learning is embedded into your working life, and in many cased fully funded, it stops feeling like an add-on and becomes part of how you grow.

Housing is a sector that gives you that. It lets you invest in yourself, give back to your community, and build a career that feels meaningful at the same time.

Looking back, my career was never shaped by the one qualification I left school with. My career has been built through continuous learning, development opportunities and the people I have learned from every single day since.