Connor Davidson – Finance Team
I did a week’s work experience in October 2019 when I was in my 6th year at Castle Douglas High School. This was my first full week of doing work experience and it was my first experience of a work environment outside of restaurants. I studied Admin & Business Management at Higher level at school which helped give me some understanding but there was so much I learned in the week that you don’t learn at school. It gives you the chance to learn the day-to-day admin/accounting tasks of a business which you can’t get any experience of in school.
After I finished school in 2020, I started to email around asking local businesses if there were any apprenticeship opportunities available and Jas P Wilson were willing to take me to complete a 2-year apprenticeship in Business Administration. I am still currently with Jas P Wilson and have completed an AAT Accounting course and am currently working towards a CIMA (Charted institute of management accountants) qualification with them.
Overall work experience is such a good thing to do, and I would highly recommend it to anyone wanting to try something to see if it’s for them or not.
Alex Lammie – Data Analyst & Marketing Coordinator
I started at Jas P Wilson doing work experience as a data analyst. After graduating with a degree in Statistics from the University of Glasgow, I looked for opportunities in data analysis. However, navigating the competitive online job market proved challenging, so when I was able to get work experience at Jas P Wilson, I was grateful for the opportunity to obtain practical skills in a business environment.
Everyone made me feel welcome and I got to be involved with lots of different areas of the business who all had different projects for me. I had the opportunity to present my work to the directors and receive feedback, which was extremely valuable, as well as getting involved in some marketing tasks which was new to me. Over time, the projects I tackled expanded in scope, and my contributions grew, which resulted in my permanent role as a Data Analyst & Marketing Coordinator at Jas P Wilson. I am very grateful for the opportunities that have arisen from my work experience at Jas P Wilson.
Kyle Lawrie – Graduate Design Engineer
During high school, a visit to Jas P Wilson’s site sparked my interest in engineering. This led me to apply for a work experience opportunity, where I spent a week immersed in various engineering disciplines, solidifying my passion for the field. After leaving school, I was fortunate to find Jas P Wilson recruiting for a graduate apprentice design engineer. Remembering the supportive environment and positive reputation from my work experience, I eagerly applied and was grateful to secure the position. My initial exposure to the company not only influenced my career path but also provided a foundation for success in my apprenticeship. It’s been a privilege to work for Jas P Wilson, and I’m thankful for the opportunities and mentorship I’ve received.
Jenna Miller – Chartered Accountant & Auditor at PwC
I had work experience at Jas P Wilson every Friday afternoon during my 6th year at High School. At the time this was my introduction into an office environment as all previous work I had been involved in was in the hospitality industry. It was an extremely positive experience, one that I often look back on fondly and am grateful for.
The experience helped shape my confidence in many ways. It gave me a chance to work with more senior and experienced people and learn a great deal of new things. These were invaluable when going to university. The work experience allowed me to complete basic accounting tasks for the first time and get a taste of working in a corporate environment.
Maths and Administration were subjects in school that interested me. Sadly, there were no business or accounting classes at Dalbeattie High School at the time. By working at Jas P Wilson, I was able to get an insight into these subjects and see how a business is run. My time at Jas P Wilson really sparked an interest in these areas. This helped shape my future choices and drove me to apply for business subjects at university.
Following my work experience, I went to university and achieved a First Class Honours in Accounting and Finance from The University of Strathclyde. I have since gone on to become a qualified Chartered Accountant with ICAS (The Institute of Chartered Accountants Scotland). This is something I am immensely proud of and would never have considered a possibility had I not had that interest sparked during my time at Jas P Wilson. I currently work at a large accountancy firm in Glasgow: PwC (PriceWaterhouseCoopers). At PwC I work as an auditor and deal with a range of clients from small to large listed companies from all industries. Several of my clients are from within the Forestry and Agricultural industry.
Even though my work experience was during my school years, it is still proudly documented on my CV and LinkedIn. Choosing to take part in this work experience is something I regard as a pivotal moment in my life for shaping my career today.
I really look back fondly and speak so highly of Jas P Wilson.