At 36, Tom McConnell made the bold decision to return to education and pursue a new direction in his career. Enrolling in the HND Accounting course at West College Scotland, a move that would set him on a new and rewarding path in finance.
Having already attained a previous degree, Tom had spent several years working in an industry that no longer fulfilled him. Tom said “I was originally looking into how to wisely manage investment, which led me down a path analysing figures and financial information. That sparked the realisation I always enjoyed working with facts and figures to help shape decisions.” This curiosity quickly evolved into a deeper interest in the fundamentals of accounting.
Initially considering an introductory course at another college, Tom’s journey took an unexpected but fortunate turn. “I applied mid-year for a course that ended up being cancelled due to low numbers,” he explains. “That led me to West College Scotland’s fast-track HNC Accounting course. I was apprehensive about jumping straight into HNC level, but I decided to gamble on myself – and I’ve never looked back.”
Tom credits the College staff for making a significant impact on his experience.
The lecturing team and staff are an absolute credit to the College,
'They were fully supportive, encouraging and always open to helping in any way they could. My time there will stay with me throughout my professional career.”
Of course, transitioning careers as a mature student wasn’t without challenges. With two young children and the need to maintain employment, time management was a constant hurdle. “I had to use literally every timetabled minute in class to complete my work. The pressure of providing for my family really pushed me to develop strong time management skills,” he shares.
My advice to any student would be: treat your studies like a full-time job. Be diligent, professional, and make sure you take a day off too.
After completing his HND, Tom progressed to the University of Strathclyde to study Accounting and Finance. However, he later paused his studies after securing a full-time finance assistant role with Scottish Enterprise. Prior to that, he had worked part-time in a similar role with The Lennox Partnership while completing his HND and first year at university.
Interestingly, it was a module at West that directly opened the door to his first finance role. “We had a part-time lecturer teach us accounting software – the same system he used in his job. I made sure he knew I was open to any relevant opportunities. After the summer break, he reached out about a finance assistant vacancy where he was the hiring manager.
That experience proved invaluable and helped me secure my current role.”
Looking ahead, Tom is focused on growing within Scottish Enterprise. “I asked during the interview about professional qualifications, and they were supportive of that path. Ultimately, I want to become a fully chartered accountant. I see real potential for growth within Scottish Enterprise – it’s a place where people build long-term careers.”
While returning to university remains an option, Tom is currently focused on contributing to his new team and developing his skills further. “Right now, I just want to get my head down and prove myself a valuable member of the team,” he says.
When asked to sum up his time at college, Tom doesn’t hesitate:
A supportive and engaging environment to prepare for future success.
And for those considering a similar path, his message is clear: “You get out what you put in. Treat your college time like a professional job. Engage fully, aim to understand your subject in depth – and enjoy the journey.”
If you are interested in studying Accounts, find out more about our courses here.