The Unexpected Transition: From Cheetahs to SuperControl
My journey began far from the tech-savvy corridors of SuperControl, quite literally in the wild. My initial profession was as a zoologist, which led to a fascinating six-year stint working with cheetahs in South Africa. But, as life often has it, an unexpected turn of events set me on a different path.
When I had my son, I realised that fieldwork in zoology wasn’t compatible with motherhood. It was exhausting, leaving me little time to juggle my new responsibilities. That’s when I pivoted towards the research side of zoology, working primarily with databases. This transition also allowed me to further explore another interest of mine – teaching. I delved into the world of academia, teaching university students. It was an enjoyable experience that set the stage for my future role at SuperControl.
During my teaching stint, I had the opportunity to work on a project focused on e-learning. We worked on converting academic resources into digital formats, making them more accessible and appealing to university students. This was my first introduction to the world of e-learning, and I instantly found it captivating. Little did I know then how this experience would later play a significant role in my journey as a Client Support Advisor!
A New Home, A New Journey: Castle Douglas and SuperControl
Moving forward, my husband and I found ourselves making a monumental decision to move to Castle Douglas due to some unforeseen circumstances back home. It was a sudden but necessary change, one that would unknowingly steer my career in a new direction. Our South African connections led us to Sam, a fellow South African and future teammate who introduced me to SuperControl.
Coming from an academic background, the world of property management systems and SuperControl was a new terrain for me. It was a concept that I had never worked with before, and the initial days were a little overwhelming. But my background in research and teaching gave me the confidence to navigate this new world. The more I understood the reasons behind each aspect of the system, the more the big picture came into focus, and I began to see the logic in it all.
SuperScholar: Bridging the Learning Gap
Towards the end of 2022, I was invited to join an exciting initiative called SuperScholar. Launched in 2023 in response to client feedback, SuperScholar is an online client learning programme aimed at equipping our clients with the knowledge they need to make best use of our system and grow their business. The programme closely aligned with my teaching background and experience in digital learning.
SuperScholar is not a traditional e-learning platform but is built around a series of online workshops that foster a more hands-on learning experience. Client feedback from these workshops has been instrumental in shaping SuperControl help centre materials, making them more effective and user-friendly. The initial programme we built about mastering guest communication received encouraging feedback, proving to be a hit among our clients. This response further cemented the significance and potential of the SuperScholar initiative.
Learning Together, Growing Together
One of the key ingredients to SuperScholar’s success is the way we approach learning. We’ve ditched the traditional classroom setting for a more collaborative and immersive experience. We’re all about providing practical experiences with the system, giving our clients the chance to learn while exploring SuperControl.
Every encounter with SuperControl is an opportunity to learn something new, and SuperScholar is the backbone of that learning journey. Still, we go beyond. Support tickets, blog posts, webinars – you name it, they all play their part as learning tools that supplement SuperScholar.
The Evolution of SuperScholar and Beyond
As we move into the second term of SuperScholar, we are continually refining the programme based on our experiences and client feedback. Our success so far has demonstrated the potential of this initiative, and I’m excited to be part of this journey.
Reflecting on my transition from a zoologist to leading SuperScholar, I’m amazed at the unexpected turns my career has taken. The various skills and experiences I’ve acquired along the way have uniquely equipped me to contribute to SuperControl in a truly meaningful way.
Through SuperScholar, I’ve been able to combine my love for teaching with my knack for understanding complex systems. The opportunity to make a tangible difference in the lives of our clients is incredibly fulfilling. It reaffirms my belief that life has a way of leading us to where we’re meant to be, even if the path isn’t clear at the start.
I look forward to continuing this journey with SuperControl, contributing to its growth and evolution, and finding new ways to empower our clients through education. It’s been a wild ride, but as I’ve learned from my days in the African plains, it’s the unexpected paths that often lead to the most rewarding destinations.
