#NoWrongPath Blog | Harry Meighan
Unconventional career paths often lead to the most rewarding destinations. For young people navigating the early stages of their careers, the challenge is often finding a way forward when initial plans hit roadblocks or traditional university routes don't feel quite right. In this compelling case study, Harry, a Marketing Executive at Scottish Financial Enterprise (SFE), proves that there is truly no wrong path when building a career in Scotland's financial services sector. Read on to discover how choosing an unexpected high school business class, launching an apprenticeship during the pandemic, and bypassing university to gain hands-on experience can transform your professional journey.
Harry Meighan
Marketing Executive
Scottish Financial Enterprise
1. What first sparked your interest in working in marketing, and how did that lead to the specific role you are in now?
I would actually say my interest in business came about almost by chance. When I reached S6, the options for my final subject were fairly limited and it essentially came down to either retaking physics again or studying National 5 Business. I chose business without really knowing what to expect but ended up loving it and I wish I had taken it much earlier.
The marketing side stood out to me in particular, as I liked the mix of creativity and understanding how businesses communicate with different audiences. The social media side also stood out to me, with the role it could play in helping organisations reach and engage people, so that was something I actively looked for when I began applying for jobs.
Opportunities were fairly limited at the time, as we were still in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, but I knew that university was not the route I wanted to take. I was keen to gain hands-on experience, start building a career and, if I’m being honest, begin earning decent money sooner rather than later.
From there, I started applying for roles through QA Apprenticeships, focusing on opportunities that would let me learn on the job and build practical marketing experience. That was the starting point for the path that eventually brought me to my current role as Marketing Executive at Scottish Financial Enterprise, where social media remains an important part of my work.
2. How did your apprenticeship help you build your career in marketing, and what did you learn from that experience?
During my apprenticeship, I was responsible for drafting social media content and managing the website, which meant I was able to get involved in real marketing work straight away. Because I was working in a small team, I also had the chance to get involved in much more than social media and website content, including supporting the events and membership teams, which gave me experience of helping to promote and deliver events, communicating with members and seeing how the different parts of the organisation worked together.
That wider exposure was one of the most valuable parts of the experience, as it helped me understand how marketing connects with the rest of an organisation rather than operating on its own. I was also surrounded by people with a huge amount of experience who were willing to involve me, answer questions and help me learn, and I still work with some of them today. That gave me a strong start to my career and confirmed that marketing was the right fit for me.
3. Were there any key moments, mentors or experiences that helped you realise this was the right fit for you?
My business teacher at school played an important part in developing my interest in the subject. I really enjoyed the way the class was taught, and having someone who made business feel engaging and relevant definitely encouraged me to consider it as a possible career.
There was not one single moment when I knew marketing was the right fit, but my apprenticeship gave me the chance to find out through experience. Being trusted with real responsibilities, seeing content I had created being used and getting involved in everything from events to working with different teams helped build my confidence and showed me how much I enjoyed the variety of the role.
4. What aspects of your current role do you find most fulfilling, and did that align with what you expected when you started?
What I enjoy most about my current role is the variety. I can be working on social media, website content, email communications or a wider campaign, so no two days are exactly the same and I am always learning something new.
I also find it really rewarding to see something develop from an initial idea into a finished piece of work. Whether it is a campaign performing well, a piece of content getting a strong response or a wider project coming together, it is satisfying to know that the work has had a clear impact.
The role is probably broader than I expected when I first started out in marketing. I knew I was interested in social media and content, but I did not fully appreciate how involved marketing would be across the wider organisation, and that has become one of the things I value most about the role.
5. Looking back, is there anything you would tell your younger self, or someone starting out, about finding a role that truly fits them?
I would tell my younger self not to put too much pressure on having everything figured out straight away. After leaving school during the COVID-19 pandemic, I spent the majority of 2021 working in a Royal Mail sorting office and worrying about what I would do next. At the time, I probably also worried more than I needed to about whether I was making the right decision by not going to university.
Looking back, I would reassure myself that it was okay not to have a clear plan yet or to be in a job I did not see as a long-term career. Choosing an apprenticeship ultimately suited me much better and gave me the opportunity to gain experience and learn in a way that felt more natural to me.
More than anything, I think it’s important to stay open-minded, take opportunities when they come and pay attention to the parts of a role you genuinely enjoy. Finding the right fit does not always happen immediately, but each experience helps you understand more about what you are good at and the kind of work you want to keep doing.
This inspiring story is a powerful reminder that there is no wrong path and you don't need a traditional university degree to find a career you love and make a real impact in financial services. Whether you are dealing with changed circumstances after leaving school, exploring alternative routes like apprenticeships, or wondering if your early detours matter, Harry's journey highlights the importance of recognizing that having everything figured out right away isn't necessary. By staying open-minded, leaning into hands-on learning, and paying attention to the work you genuinely enjoy, you can shape a fulfilling and dynamic career right here in Scotland's financial sector.