Katherine’s story

Following redundancy Katherine successfully changed career with support from a Careers Adviser.

Facing redundancy

Katherine, 35, who lives in Swansea, was made redundant in March 2023. She had been a researcher at a university for nearly nine years. She was working on renewable energy projects.

Katherine was not sure what to do next. She started exploring her options online and came across Working Wales.

Getting support

Katherine booked a meeting with a careers adviser, Lindsey Roberts.

She said: “I was quite nervous, but my adviser was very supportive. She helped me take a step back to evaluate my options.”

Together, they discussed Katherine’s skills and explored new career paths. Lindsey suggested that Katherine should do a career quiz. This could help her better understand her strengths and interests.

Katherine realised she could move into the technology industry. She always felt curious about this area of work.

Building confidence

Katherine began learning how to code on her own. Her adviser also encouraged her to attend a ‘Women in Tech’ event at the DVLA.

Katherine said: “I was nervous at first, but it turned out to be an eye-opening experience. I learned about software development and discovered opportunities I hadn’t considered before.”

At the event, Katherine found out about a coding bootcamp called Code First Girls. She signed up for the course, which helped her gain the technical skills she needed. By the end of 2023, she was ready to apply for software development roles.

Applying for jobs

Katherine faced challenges along the way. She received some job rejections, but she did not give up. Lindsey suggested that it might be useful for Katherine to see an employability coach.

Aaron Jenkins is an employability coach at Working Wales. He helped Katherine prepare for her interviews with the DVLA.

She said: “The feedback I received after the interviews was invaluable. I had two interviews with the DVLA. I didn’t get the first job, but the feedback helped me prepare for the second one, which I got.”

In June 2024, Katherine started her new role as a software development engineer in test at the DVLA.

She said: “It’s amazing to be doing something I genuinely enjoy for a job. Sometimes I have to remind myself not to overwork because I’m so passionate about it.”

Reflecting on the journey

Katherine said: “Don’t give up. Keep chipping away at it, even when it feels like you’re not making progress. Use all the resources available to you and believe in your ability to adapt and grow.”

She also said: “My adviser helped me see my transferable skills. She encouraged me to attend events that were outside my comfort zone. Those experiences were crucial in building my confidence and opening doors to new opportunities.”

Looking ahead

Katherine is excited about her future in tech. She said: “I don’t know exactly what the next five or ten years will look like, but I’m committed to growing in this field and making the most of this new path.”

If you’ve been affected by redundancy, please visit redundancy support or contact us.

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