A learner from Crickhowell is preparing to start a specialist knitting degree after careers support helped her turn a teenage hobby into a future career.

When Maggie McInnes was 16 and completed her GCSEs, she felt unsure about what to do next.

“I was really struggling with my next steps. I felt at a bit of a dead end really. I didn’t want to go to university or a college. I was considering getting a job," Maggie said.

After being encouraged by her teachers, Maggie met with Careers Wales adviser Vicky Jones at her school to discuss her options.

One conversation introduced her to an opportunity she had never considered before.

“I started knitting when I was 14 because I really liked Harry Styles and I saw him wearing a knitted cardigan. I knitted it almost immediately and I just really, really enjoyed it,” she said.

“Vicky told me about Hereford College of Arts because of my interest in knitting. I went to a couple of open days and I really, really enjoyed it. It kind of opened my eyes a bit.

"Vicky helped me with my application for college and she supported me with writing my personal statement. She was great, very helpful.”

Maggie was delighted to go on to secure a place at Hereford College of Arts.

As her skills developed, what started as a hobby soon became a potential career.

Now 18, Maggie began researching universities offering specialist knitting degrees and was surprised to discover there were courses dedicated to the subject.

“I just Googled to see if you could actually do a degree in knitting. Two places in the country offered it and I ended up choosing Nottingham. I was already given an unconditional offer,” Maggie said.

She has now accepted a place at Nottingham Trent University, where she plans to continue developing her skills and combining her passion for knitting with her ambition to run her own business in the future.

Looking back, Maggie feels far more positive about her future than she did when she first met Vicky.

“I feel like there are a lot more opportunities for me now. I’ve navigated it quite well and I feel less overwhelmed with all these decisions,” she said.

Maggie also wants young people who are worried about their results to remember that setbacks do not define them.

“I was really worried after my GCSE results. I didn’t pass maths, but I was able to retake it in college and pass there. It’s not the end of the world if you have one or two slip-ups,” she said.

She added: “If you are not sure what to do, see if there’s a careers adviser in your school or area, and you can talk to a trusted adult.”

If a young person is unsure about their next step, support is available. Whether they are considering university, an apprenticeship, training or employment, Working Wales can help them explore their options and understand what comes next.

Advice and guidance are available by phone, email and webchat. Young people can also access support 24 hours a day, seven days a week through Cari, the Careers Wales virtual assistant, who can help them find information, explore their options and navigate the Working Wales website.