When Iona Macdonald graduated from Aberdeen University in 2000 with a degree in chemistry, there was only one show in town. Iona recalls that she "inevitably slid into the oil and gas industry" where, like thousands of others, she built a successful and lucrative career.
Back then, the sector was swimming in money, she remembers. "You would see a lot of Ferraris and Lamborghinis," says Macdonald of Aberdeen at the time.
But after a quarter of a century, that journey - working both on and offshore as a production chemist and later a training manager - came to an abrupt halt when she was made redundant two years ago.
Having tried and failed to secure employment in the renewable energy sector, the 48-year-old is now working on the minimum wage in a Glasgow pub. Iona enjoys the job and finds being part of the community worthwhile - but she's conscious she's not using any of her skills and experience. And she says she isn't alone: "I have friends who've gone from six-figure salaries to stacking shelves in a supermarket overnight."
Iona adds: "It's been quite the struggle to transition out of what's a very heavily specialised technical industry."
