Meet Soraya Macdonald, DYW School Coordinator for Culloden Academy
17 September 2024
Introducing Soraya Macdonald
With over 20 years of experience in diverse industries such as aviation, the third sector, and education, Soraya Macdonald brings a wealth of knowledge to her role as a DYW School Coordinator at Culloden Academy. Recently, Soraya earned a BSc (Hons) in Psychology from the Open University, and she’s passionate about promoting health and wellbeing. As a mother of two young daughters, Soraya is inspired daily to contribute to a better and more adaptive society. Her experiences and enthusiasm for positive change motivate her to make a difference in the lives of young people.
Why Soraya Loves Being a DYW School Coordinator
For Soraya, the most rewarding part of being a DYW School Coordinator is supporting students as they transition from school to the workforce. She thrives on facilitating connections between students and employers through careers fairs, Future Friday talks, and employability programmes. Soraya also works closely with teachers to align the school curriculum with real roles in the working world. For example, ensuring that subjects like mathematics become more relevant to industries such as hospitality. Her goal is to provide students with practical skills and experiences that prepare them for their futures.
Excitement for the New Academic Year
Soraya is particularly excited about launching creative and collaborative projects as the new academic year begins. These initiatives will provide students with hands-on learning experiences, fostering teamwork and innovation. She is eager to see how these new initiatives will inspire both students and teachers alike.
Soraya’s Journey: #NoWrongPath
After leaving school with a university spot, Soraya quickly realised that university wasn’t the right fit for her at the time. Her varied career has taught her invaluable lessons about teamwork, communication, confidence, and the importance of maintaining a positive attitude. These qualities have shaped her career and now play a central role in how she helps students navigate their own paths.
Advice for Her Younger Self
Soraya's advice for her younger self is simple yet powerful: "Do what makes you happy. Success and happiness look different to everyone, so focus on designing your future without comparing yourself to others." Her message to young people today is to stay true to themselves and pursue the paths that makes them happy.
Through her role as a DYW School Coordinator, Soraya is passionate about empowering young people to take control of their futures, embrace their individuality, and approach their careers with confidence and optimism.
Contact Soraya today…
…if you’d like to explore DYW opportunities connected with Culloden Academy then please get in touch with Soraya at soraya.macdonald@dywich.co.uk
Or visit our DYW Inverness & Central Highland - What's on - get involved (padlet.com) platform to get a full picture of our programme of activity across our 14 secondary schools and get in touch today to find out more!
