Staff Spotlight: Rafal Antos

What's your role at D&A College, and what's the story behind how you ended up here?

I am one of two Accommodation and Childcare Officers within the Student Services department. Based at the Arbroath Campus, I provide essential financial assistance to students for childcare costs while they are studying. Additionally, I support HN level students with their housing costs and assist students of all levels with discretionary payments, ensuring they have the necessary resources to focus on their education. I also advise on student funding, course applications, and provide other essential duties related to Student Services.

I started with the College in 2010, first in the Business Department, then covering a nine-month maternity contract in the Finance Department. In 2012, I landed in Student Services.

How did I end up here? In 2005, shortly after I completed my university studies in Poland, my wife and I decided to take a long trip. We quit our jobs, packed our car, and left our home, hoping this adventure would last for a while. We travelled across Europe and Britain, visiting unique places. Our road trip ended in Ferryden, where we had to "winter" with our 11-month-old daughter and top up our budget to continue our journey. After a week, I found a job as an interpreter, we made friends, and our planned three-month stay turned into a few years. Feeling more settled, I then decided to enrich my continental MPA to fit the local job market. This led me to the College, first as a student (ECDL, HND Administration & IT, HNC Accounting), then as an employee, which motivated me to pursue a BA in Business Management from Robert Gordon University.

Work is one thing, but what do you do outside of the college walls? Any exciting hobbies or weekend adventures?

I adore long-distance driving and car trips across the UK and Europe. The best part of long-distance driving is watching the landscapes pass by, exploring local attractions, tasting local foods, and interacting with local people. You start your journey at your driveway and never know where you’ll end up or what you’ll experience.

When you were younger, what was your dream job? And if you could do any career, what would you choose and why?

When I was younger, I loved checking, inspecting, and analysing things. This might be related to my natural curiosity about how things work, not just the tangible ones.

I was once a student member of Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Education for Scotland’s colleges, gaining valuable insights into their culture and systems. As a student, I also assisted the college Quality Officer, which helped me understand the mechanisms behind successful student experiences and positive retention. If I ever decided to change my career, it would probably be something related to audit or quality.

However, all this knowledge formed my path to Student Services, where I have had the privilege of working alongside my dedicated colleagues, striving to assist students financially, emotionally, and academically, making their college experience more manageable and successful. Simply put, my team is one of a kind, working like a perfectly adjusted mechanism. I wouldn't leave them... unless I was offered a position as a governor on the “Never Ending Sun” island somewhere in the tropics, as I adore the sun and the heat... though we sometimes have that in the office 😉.

If you could have any person, dead or alive, as a dinner guest , who would it be and why?

I wouldn't invite just one person, but a few from Christopher Robin's squad. With Winnie the Pooh, I'd share my true passion for high-quality honey - after all, who better to appreciate it? Rabbit and I would exchange tips on effective allotment management and debate the ethos of work, firmly defending my stance that “we work to live, not the other way around.” I'd encourage Piglet to cheer up Eeyore, because everyone needs a little sunshine. Finally, I'd follow Tigger to do what Tiggers do best - bounce around with boundless energy and enthusiasm, which also helps burn calories 😉.

Share with us the most valuable piece of advice or life lesson that's really stuck with you, especially when it comes to dealing with the ups and downs of learning.

Studying is a great thing, especially when you are doing a course of your interest, and you have the funds and time for it. I would also add that practice can make a huge difference in your career, whether it is work experience, an apprenticeship, a weekend job, or a voluntary position. This is something I would encourage each student to do if possible. Also, never underestimate opportunities if they come across your path, no matter how small or unimportant they may first seem, as they may lead you to bigger things.

Look out for more staff spotlights coming soon!