From Nuclear Medicine to Numbers: How Shama Found Her New Path Through AAT
How Shama Found Her New Path Through AAT
From Nuclear Medicine to Numbers: How Shama Found Her New Path Through AAT
At 41, Shama Mirza had already built a long and successful career in the NHS — but life had other plans. After 14 years as a nuclear medicine technologist, caring for her parents and raising twin boys meant she needed to find a more flexible way to work. What she didn’t expect was that studying AAT would open the door to a completely new career she loves.
“I’ve got quite a weird CV,” laughs Shama. “I started off in healthcare, and I loved it. But when my parents’ health declined, it became clear that full-time work outside the house wasn’t an option anymore.”
During the pandemic, balancing hospital work with caring responsibilities took its toll. Shama eventually stepped away from healthcare and took on full-time caring duties. But she soon realised she needed something for herself — something that would give her purpose and fit around her family.
“I started looking for remote jobs, and most of them were in accounting. My dad used to be a chartered accountant, so when I saw that, it made him really happy too,” she explains. “I’d actually done a short bookkeeping course with Training Link years earlier, so it made sense to explore AAT properly.”
Finding Her Fit with Training Link
After completing Levels 2 and 3 elsewhere, Shama returned to Training Link for her Level 4 qualification — drawn by the physical study materials and the personal tutor support.
“I’m old school — I need to get my highlighter out! That was a big yes for me,” she says. “And honestly, the tutor support has been epic. Will is always available — even when I send a mock exam late at night, it’s marked by the next morning with great feedback. He makes you feel like you’re his only student.”
That support has paid off: Shama has achieved AMAC – 89%, DAIF – 98%, INAC – 86%, and BNTA – 92% so far, with just one final exam remaining to complete her Level 4 qualification. And all while juggling work, caring for her parents, and family life with eight-year-old twins.
“There’s no pressure, but I still set my own goals. It’s flexible enough that I can have it all — I can care for my parents and still do something meaningful for myself.”
Building a New Career
Now in her second accounting role, Shama is thriving in a supportive workplace that even offered to fund her studies.
“It wasn’t advertised as a study-support role, so it was such a nice surprise when they said they’d cover it. They saw it as an investment in me.”
She’s now just one exam away from completing Level 4, and already thinking about the next step — CIMA.
“At first, I thought I’d stop after Level 4, but the encouragement I’ve had — from my tutor and at work — has made me want to go further. I’ve realised I can actually do this.”
Advice for Future Students
“Don’t wait for the perfect time — just start. Life is never going to be calm or convenient. Studying has been something I do just for me, and it’s helped my confidence so much.
For my sanity, it’s my time — I close the door, everyone’s in bed, and I study. It keeps me grounded.”
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Magdalena studied our AAT Level 4 course
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