Exam Results Day – #NoWrongPath
To mark exam results day in Scotland today, we’re supporting the #NoWrongPath campaign – a social media movement led by Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) Scotland.
The campaign provides inspiration and reassurance to young people receiving their results and shows that many people in interesting job roles may not have taken a traditional path to get there.
Today we’re shining a spotlight on the career experience of our new Chief Executive, John Alexander, who has worked in many roles across several industries, learning something new in each one.
A bit about me:
Hi! I’m John Alexander, the Chief Executive of Hillcrest. I’m passionate about helping people and that’s why I’ve always enjoyed roles that involve engaging with people directly. That’s also led me to getting into running, which started as a result of fundraising for amazing organisations helping people across Dundee.
From school to my first job:
I’ve worked continuously since the age of 14 and after leaving school, I continued to work in a local shop whilst studying Law at Dundee University. Over the past 23 years, I’ve had the privilege of working in retail, a call centre, banking, local government, the energy sector, and now at Hillcrest. Each role taught me something new—whether it was communication, resilience, or leadership—and helped shape the person I am today.
My experience at Hillcrest:
I joined Hillcrest in June of this year and have been inspired by the diversity of the organisation and the passion of the people here. One of the things I love most is seeing how our work directly improves lives—whether through housing, support services, or community initiatives. It truly feels like being part of a big family, all working toward a shared goal of making a difference.
Advice for young people finishing school who are looking for employment:
Perseverance is key. There will always be barriers or bumps in the road, but how you respond matters. I spent weeks asking for my first job before the owner gave me a ‘test run’—I think he realised this persistent 14-year-old wasn’t going to give up! You have so much to offer, and sometimes you just need that one chance to shine. So keep going, stay positive, and remember: every step forward counts.