Last updated 15:04, Friday, 25 July 2008

HI THERE, I’m Hannah Johnson and over the next few months I’ll be making an appearance in Futures.

Hannah Johnson

As a young graduate keen to stay in Cumbria, come with me on my journey and experience the trials and tribulations on my quest for employment in the regeneration sector.

Apologies if I keep referring to myself as young: I am in fact 28 and have been reminded several times by family members of my mature student status!

I lived and worked in Essex for seven years when I finished sixth form – I couldn’t wait to get away from Cumbria. There was very little to do in ‘sunny Silloth’ and a lack of job opportunities in the surrounding areas, and we all dreaded the one-hour bus ride to Carlisle so avoided it where possible.

I moved back to Cumbria in 2006, much to my mother’s despair. I registered with the then St Martin’s College and bought a house in Carlisle.

My first day at university was spent in the library, where every wall was covered in brightly coloured posters shouting ‘Volunteer’. I’m not sure if it was because they were telling me to, but I convinced myself this was a great idea, not only to build my CV but to meet people. Before I knew it, I was attending a scout leader induction day, completing a 30-page application form to become a magistrate, up for election as a parent governor and listed as secretary to the PTA.

I’m still not entirely sure how I got involved in all of this.

I knew with all the exciting things happening in the county that moving here would provide Sophie and me with a far better life… that’s right, not only am I a mature student, I’m a single mum too. It can be done!

Join me next month so I can do what I was meant to do and tell you why I want to stay in Cumbria – and why I’ve chosen a career in regeneration...