A north-east woman enjoyed her apprenticeship with Aberdeen Asset Management so much she is now helping to recruit others to the company.
Sophie Ewen was heading for university in 2012, but decided at the last minute to apply for a business and administration course with the global financial services company.
And five years later she is now helping to bring fresh talent into the organisation.
The former St Machar Academy said: “I knew I wanted to work in a large organisation and I liked the idea of learning and getting experience.
“Once I joined the company and got experience of the workplace, I discovered that HR is a perfect fit for me.”
She is now Aberdeen Asset Management’s graduate programme coordinator and brings graduates, interns, apprenticeships and investment 2020 trainees on board.
She has spoken about her own experience as an apprenticeship at numerous events and led the production of a brochure aimed at encouraging youngsters to join the company.
The 21-year-old has also helped to establish an apprenticeship programme in Edinburgh.
As well as this, she runs employability workshops for school leavers and mentors young people to help them prepare for employment.
She said: “I think the part of my job that I enjoy most is supporting new talent coming into the business.”
After completing a qualification in investment operations to gain a better understanding of the industry she is now working on a diploma in HR.
Her manager Lisa Sutherland was full of praise for the way she has taken to the role and inspires others.
She said: “Sophie is ambitious, technically skilled, upbeat and someone who uses her initiative, always meets deadlines and never fails to help colleagues.
“She takes every opportunity to engage with young people and her enthusiasm for the apprenticeship programme is obvious when she speaks about it.
“Young people relate well to Sophie and her success story.”
