--- title: "Class of 2003 Emma Returns to Inspire Pupils and Prove There’s No Single Path to Career Success " url: "https://priory.lancs.sch.uk/news/2026-07-11-class-of-2003-emma-returns-to-inspire-pupils-and-prove-there-s-no-single-path-to-career-s" school: "Penwortham Priory Academy" --- # Class of 2003 Emma Returns to Inspire Pupils and Prove There’s No Single Path to Career Success ![Image of Class of 2003 Emma Returns to Inspire Pupils and Prove There’s No Single Path to Career Success ](https://files.schudio.com/penwortham-priory-academy/images/news/IMG_2847_cropped.JPEG) 11 July 2026 Class of 2003 Emma Whitlock returned to Priory to talk to pupils about her variety of jobs – and how you don’t have to have a plan when you leave school! Emma completed a degree in Sustainable Development and pursued a career in the environmental sector. “I think it’s said nowadays people can have four or five different careers. I followed my passion and interests and each time it led to the next job. It was organic rather than a final plan.” Emma has worked for the Field Studies Council as a tutor, the British Red Cross support at home services and Keep Britain Tidy in various roles. Most recently she has been working for Preston City Council as a Policy Officer. “It was a bit surreal to return to Priory as I haven’t been back since 2003. It has a lovely, nice feel to it. “It was a walk down memory lane with some places in school but then others have changed vastly. “I talked to the pupils about my options. I took Geography, which I loved, as well as PE and Food Tech. There weren’t any environmental clubs when I was at school but it was always something I was interested in. I went to Runshaw College where I got involved in Fair Trade shows and it took off from there. “I was happy to come back and chat about my career – and have a tour around Priory, it brought back a lot of memories.” ![](https://priory.lancs.sch.uk/images/news/IMG_2830.JPEG) [Alumni](https://priory.lancs.sch.uk/news/tag/alumni) [Careers](https://priory.lancs.sch.uk/news/tag/careers) [ Maths Champions Again at LUSoM Challenge](https://priory.lancs.sch.uk/news/2026-07-05-maths-champions-again-at-lusom-challenge) [London Performing Arts Trip: Sweat, Shows & Slightly Stubborn Coach ](https://priory.lancs.sch.uk/news/2026-07-13-london-performing-arts-trip-sweat-shows-slightly-stubborn-coach) ### Penwortham Priory Academy Crow Hills Road Penwortham Preston Lancashire PR1 0JE 01772 320250 ### Useful Links - [New Year 7 Transition](https://priory.lancs.sch.uk/about-priory/transition) - [The School Day](https://priory.lancs.sch.uk/parents/the-school-day) - [Facility Hire](https://priory.lancs.sch.uk/facility-hire-at-priory) - [Term Dates](https://www.priory.lancs.sch.uk/parents/termdates) - [Letters](https://priory.lancs.sch.uk/parents/letters) ### Useful Links - [Newsletters](https://priory.lancs.sch.uk/parents/newsletters) - [OFSTED](https://priory.lancs.sch.uk/about-priory/ofsted-report) - [Online Payments](https://priory.lancs.sch.uk/parents/internet-payments) - [Staff Contact](https://priory.lancs.sch.uk/staff/staff-contact-list) - [Vacancies](https://priory.lancs.sch.uk/staff/vacancies) ### Social Media - [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/priorystc) - [X](https://twitter.com/@priorystc) - [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/penworthampriory/) Penwortham Priory Academy Trust is operating as a single academy trust. It is an exempt charity and a company limited by guarantee, registered in England with Company Number 08133703 School & Trust Websites by [ ![Schudio logo](https://priory.lancs.sch.uk/img/logo/light.png) ](https://www.schudio.com/)