Son's diabetes diagnosis sparks life-changing career change for Scots scientist
A Scots scientist has told how her son's type 1 diabetes diagnosis inspired her to swap a 20-year career in retail for science school.
Leigh Bennett, 46, took the plunge and enrolled on the SWAP Access to Chemical and Biological Science course at Glasgow Kelvin College in 2015.
SWAP (Scottish Widening Access Programme) access courses run at colleges across Scotland and provide a recognised pathway into degree courses at partner universities.
The course opened the door to university for Leigh, who went on to graduate from Glasgow Caledonian University in 2020 with a degree in Biological Science.
The Cumbernauld mum – who wanted to understand more about her son's condition – is now out to make a difference in genetic science working with a multi-national science technology firm in Glasgow.
Her story marked National Opportunity Day - an initiative by Glasgow Kelvin College, now in its third year, to highlight the wealth of career paths college can unlock.
Taking place the day after exam results were released in Scotland (August 6), it aims to challenge the idea of college as a second choice and show how clearing and access routes can be the start of something bigger.
Leigh said: 'I was 35 when I joined Glasgow Kelvin College. I had managed shops for two decades, but my little boy Max's diagnosis with type 1 diabetes made me want to understand more. The more I learned, the more I realised I wanted to know the science behind it, not just as a parent but because it was genuinely fascinating to me. I had always wanted to go to university, and the access course was my way in.
'I looked for access courses for months before I found the SWAP course. When I got in I thought, right, this is it, I'm doing this. That decision changed everything for me.
'I went from standing on shop floors, doing long shifts and late nights, to being in classrooms learning about something that really mattered to me. It was hard work, but I felt like I was moving towards something that would make a difference in my life and in my son's life.'
Balancing study with family life was not easy, but she described her time at Kelvin as completely transformative.
Leigh explained: 'Make no mistake, that course changed my life. It gave me a chance to move into a skilled sector and finally do something I had been dreaming about for almost 20 years. Before I knew it I was 35 with a mortgage and a career that didn't fulfil me. Kelvin gave me a way out of that.
'There were moments when I thought, this is too much, but the passion for what I was learning kept me going. My university course ended up being really diabetes heavy, which was not something I had planned, but it means I understand my son's condition so much better and I have been able to advocate for him when he needed it.'
Leigh felt fully supported throughout her studies, even through personal challenges.
Leigh added: 'My dad passed away while I was at college. I did not tell many people, but my guidance tutor was incredible. He made sure I had everything I needed and never made me feel like I was on my own. That support makes a huge difference when you are already juggling so much.'
After completing her degree, she joined Merck Group in Glasgow as an Associate Scientist 1. Over three years she has progressed through several internal promotions and now works as a Scientist 1 in the company's Genetic Stability team.
She said: 'Ten years ago, I was running shops. Now I am in a role where, when I speak, I feel listened to. I have been trusted to lead projects, give opinions in meetings and make decisions that really matter. Sometimes I have to pinch myself because I am in a place I never thought I would reach.'
Leigh says moving into science after years in retail was daunting at first, but her role has helped her grow in confidence.
Leigh said: 'At the start I definitely had that feeling of, am I really supposed to be here? I had managed shops for 20 years, and suddenly I was in meetings about genetic stability, surrounded by people with so much experience.
'Over time and through experience, any imposter syndrome I had has fallen away. I have been trusted with projects and decisions, and it has shown me that I do belong here.'
She hopes her journey will inspire others to take the leap into further education, no matter their age.
Leigh added: 'Opportunity is something you have got to go and grab. It does not land on your lap, you have got to go and get it.
'If you are older and thinking about it, do not let the years you have spent in another career put you off. Just go for it. Knuckle down for that short time, even when it feels tough, and it can open doors you never imagined.
"And if you are younger and not sure what you want to do yet, pick something you enjoy. That passion is what keeps you going when it gets hard. You just have to see the bigger picture and keep moving forward.'
National Opportunity Day celebrates stories like Leigh's, showing that college is not an end point but a launchpad, offering pathways into university, industry‑ready skills and the confidence to change direction at any stage in life.
Founded by Glasgow Kelvin College in 2023, the initiative is now in its third year and continues to highlight the wide range of opportunities available to learners.
The year Glasgow Kelvin College is hosting an open day today (Thursday, August 14). To find out more visit www.glasgowkelvin.ac.uk
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