After graduating from Aberdeen University with a degree in Politics and International Relations, Sam Cowan was driven to find a rewarding career where he could make a difference. That led him to Shetland, where he is one of several graduates employed by the council, filling valuable roles while learning new skills.
As a hockey umpire at the national level, Sam Cowan had met officials from Shetland who officiate at the same level. Those friendships were his only connection to Shetland,
However, he is now happily settled into a graduate post that fulfils his desire to pursue a career where he can make a difference.
One of eight graduates employed in 2024, Sam’s role is working on an Empty Homes Project, exploring ways to bring unused properties back into use. The research undertaken by Sam is feeding into wider policies and the development of a strategic housing plan for the islands, in recognition of the difficulties people can experience finding somewhere to live in Shetland.
Sam says, “I graduated from the University of Aberdeen in 2022 with an MA in Politics and International Relations. I wasn’t 100% sure about what I wanted to do when I left uni, but I knew I wanted to help others. Both my parents work in the public sector, and it always seemed like the best way to help others and have a rewarding career.”
He hadn’t planned for that career to be in Shetland, but applied for a graduate placement when he saw the opportunity – a move that paid off. When researching the likely roles he would be involved in he says, “I was really impressed with the work they were asking us to do, and I thought it would make a real difference to people’s lives, which is important to me.”
I was really impressed with the work they were asking us to do, and I thought it would make a real difference to people’s lives, which is important to me.
Having lived most of his life in a town near Glasgow, he wasn’t sure what to expect in an island community.
“I had never been to Shetland before I started working here. I moved up on Thursday and started work the following Monday.”
Thankfully, his hockey-playing friend was able to help him settle and find a place to live. He now stays in the Isle of Burra.
“I thankfully found somewhere to stay, which is great. In my role, there is a lot of data collection, and I know the pressures and how the rental prices, especially in Lerwick, are high.”
Gaining that understanding of what should be done and where to alleviate housing pressures, and finding ways to make house renovations more affordable, is something Sam finds deeply rewarding.
“There are only net positives from bringing an empty home back into use. We’ve been looking at where the pressures and demand are and identifying where empty homes are.
“It is a rewarding project because I believe that it will help people across various age and employment spectrums to be able to access opportunities across Shetland.”
It’s not just a role that Sam finds rewarding, but he’s also developed new transferrable skills.
“The council has been really good in terms of training opportunities, and within the council, so there are so many things you can go and learn about. They’re really good in terms of the support.”
That has helped Sam settle into work and the community, and he’s become accustomed to the differences between Shetland and more populated mainland areas.
The council has been really good in terms of training opportunities, and within the council, so there are so many things you can go and learn about. They’re really good in terms of the support.
Whereas in the Central Belt he could walk to a train station and be in central Glasgow in around 30 minutes, life now requires a little more planning.
“To get to Glasgow, I have to book a flight! But it’s nice being in a place where everyone knows each other. And there’s a lot of social trust. I’m still getting used to things like not having to lock the car door, but it’s nice being in that environment.
“The people are great as well, but some of the accents still throw me!
“The population of Shetland is the same as the town I am from. That took a bit of getting used to.”
However, having stayed in Shetland through a winter, he says the biggest difference is the weather and the long hours of darkness in the winter months. “When it gets dark really early, it takes a bit of getting used to, but I’m looking forward to the summer and the longer nights.”
That is part of life in Shetland, and the social rhythms follow the seasons. In the winter most activities are indoors – apart from the famous Up Helly Aa fire festivals – while in the summer, it’s more about enjoying the outdoors. For Sam, that includes umpiring hockey.
Shetland has a thriving sporting community, and Sam’s interest in hockey also helped him meet a group of like-minded people. He still travels back to the mainland regularly to officiate games but has also started umpiring Shetland league games.
“I’ve been umpiring the top division in Scotland for four years on and off, and it’s something I enjoy doing. It is a bit challenging getting ‘down the road’ for the top-level but I do fly down quite regularly to officiate.
“I help out up here, too. It’s a different sort of level than I’m used to, and it requires different approaches – and trying to deal with how cold it can feel!”
Of course, you can wrap up to stop the wind chill factor, but some differences between Shetland and the intensity of Glasgow are, well, different.
“A thing that has taken a bit of getting used to at first was the pace of things. Some things are a bit slower, less rushed.
"I think it’s just a different attitude, no one is in a rush, and that’s okay. It’s something I have grown to appreciate. It’s a nice ‘different’.”
If you don't know much about Shetland, you may be wondering what it's like to live here.
There are loads of compelling reasons, including the islands' thriving communities, busy social scene, and life-changing career opportunities.
We listed 25 reasons why you should consider making the move...