Student Spotlight - Jack Donaldson
At UHI Perth, our Business and Accounting courses help equip you with the essential knowledge and skills to work in a modern business environment. With the opportunity to undertake a work placement, you will be given real life experience, allowing you to make new connections and enhance your CV.
We caught up with our current Business and Accounting student, Jack who shares his journey since leaving school and how the work experience placement sparked the interest for his future career path.
Can you introduce yourself?
My name is Jack Donaldson, and I’m from Newburgh.
What course are you studying at UHI Perth, and what year are you currently in?
NQ Business and Accounting (1st year).
How did you hear about UHI Perth?
My friends and family recommended it from their experience.
What were you doing before you came to college?
I had just left high school at the end of S4.
Why did you decide to pick this course?
I was interested in business and from looking at the course info, it seemed like a good match for me.
What is your favourite thing about the course?
I think it's quite a balanced course. It’s not too full on and demanding but can also give you a challenge at times. There's also a nice balance of individual work and group work, as a lot of the coursework is quite flexible.
Has there been any standout/memorable moments from your course?
I really enjoyed the enterprise module, where we split into groups and went through a series of tasks to raise money for charity.
What knowledge, skills and experience have you gained from your course that will help you when you leave UHI Perth?
One of the units we complete in the course allows us to go out on a work placement. This has been a good opportunity for me as it spurred me on to apply for an apprenticeship with my work placement.
Have you undertaken a placement or work experience whilst at UHI Perth?
I completed a work placement with Aviva that was organised through the college. Myself and some of my other classmates were able to take part in different activities with the staff at Aviva. It was beneficial to me as I then decided to apply for an apprenticeship with them.
Have your lecturers been supportive during your studies?
The lecturers have been really supportive with our class. Sometimes someone may have been having a bad day or potentially a bit stressed over an upcoming test, but the lecturers were great at resolving this and making us feel a lot better.
Any other achievements you have gained on your journey?
I was awarded the NQ Cup of Academic Excellence recently which is something that will help me when looking for jobs in the future.
What do you like about the campus/facilities?
Since joining the college, I started going to the gym here. It’s got some really good facilities and equipment. The price for a membership with the ASW is a really good deal for students, especially when you compare it to some of the other local gyms.
Have you enjoyed studying at UHI Perth? Any highlights?
I’ve really enjoyed studying here at UHI Perth. It’s been really good in my experience as a school leaver. You are given a lot more freedom and definitely treated more as an adult than in school. I think for young people it gives them a chance to grow a bit and learn some valuable life skills.
Do you have any hobbies or interests outside of college?
I enjoy going to the gym outside of college. One of my favourite things to do is going with my friends to watch different football teams across Scotland and England.
What are your future career plans?
I’ve always been interested in a career in business of some sort. However, since completing my work placement with Aviva, I’ve realised that I would quite like to go down the insurance route. Particularly Underwriting.
And finally, what advice would you give to someone thinking about studying at UHI Perth?
For people who are considering studying here at UHI Perth, it's worth it. From my experience, the coursework is nicely made for students and the lecturers are really great at delivering it. Also, as a recent school leaver I think it’s a good transition into Uni or working full time. You can learn some great life skills as well as taking your education further.
