Katie’s High Tide Journey: Finding Her Passion

Back in 2014, Katie took part in High Tide’s summer scheme, a decision that opened her eyes to the wealth of opportunities available in Teesside.

As part of the programme, she participated in a port-to-port visit to Rotterdam, where she was introduced to a variety of businesses operating across the ports. This experience allowed her to gain invaluable insights through the work experience programme. Katie even spent time at Huntsman, where she learned about making paint and joined business meetings, giving her a taste of the professional world.

At the time, Katie was a student at Unity City Academy, and her school had never offered anything like the High Tide programme before. She was thrilled to be selected for the Rotterdam trip, stepping out of her comfort zone to seize the opportunity.

Through High Tide, Katie discovered her hobbies and interests, which helped shape her career goals.

She realised she wanted to stay in Teesside and pursue a creative role that aligned with her passions. The programme gave her the guidance and confidence to take her next steps, something she admits she would have struggled to do on her own.

Today, Katie is pursuing a career in music, a passion she’s pursuing through songwriting and teaching herself to play the guitar. She now has the confidence to perform at open mic nights and gigs, which have become an important part of her life.

Katie says High Tide played a big role in shaping who she is today. Whether it’s discovering a career path or gaining personal growth, she believes the programme is always worth it for the opportunities it offers.