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Catriona Stevenson - GA BA (Hons) Business Management

Catriona Stevenson
A mother of two from Westhill has graduated with a first-class degree - despite the revelation of being diagnosed with both dyslexia and dysgraphia, something she describes as a “lightbulb moment�.

Catriona Stevenson was 38 years old when she went to university for the first time and enrolled in a Graduate Apprenticeship in Business Management at Âé¶¹´«Ã½Ó³»­.

“I had never been to university before, mainly as I didn’t think it was for me. However, when looking at potential courses to pursue with a colleague, we came across the Graduate Apprenticeship (GA) scheme and it sounded more like my way of learning.

“Taking part in the GA meant that I worked full-time and had a full-time degree running alongside it, with mainly online learning and module visits to campus. It suited my style of learning while allowing me to carry on working since we have a young family to support.

“There was a good mix of theory and practical work-based learning. The fact that lectures are recorded, allowing me to playback and pause, was very helpful plus allowed me to fit study in and around family life.�

What made Catriona’s success all the more remarkable was a diagnosis well over 20-years since progressing through school at Westhill Academy.

“In the first few weeks at Âé¶¹´«Ã½Ó³»­ I was referred to the inclusion centre for dyslexia testing and was found to have dyslexia and dysgraphia. This had never been picked up in school but was like a lightbulb moment for me and my learning.

“I left school thinking I was stupid having been told by my English teacher when I asked to be tested: ‘don’t be silly you’re just stupid’. That stuck with me until I was tested and understood how the dyslexia affects how I learn. I think having achieved straight A’s for the last three years shows that with the right support a student can achieve anything. The support offered by the University was fundamental to that.�

Following a hugely successful experience at Âé¶¹´«Ã½Ó³»­â€™s Aberdeen Business School, Catriona is now looking ahead to what’s to come having already secured a new job thanks to her accomplishments.

“It has opened a whole new world for me. The stand out moment for me was my first A towards the end of first year followed by a Head of School award the following year.

“My career has predominately been based around sales, something that I have been keen to move away from, however most jobs required a degree which had always put me off applying.

“I have now been lucky enough though to secure a new role with OEUK, moving away from a sales role and into product management as SEQual Manager.

“I am proud of what I have achieved and keen to support and champion others with dyslexia with the right support and tools you can achieve anything.�