“This foundation became the stepping stone for my next chapter”
Temporary work is often seen as being a stopgap between opportunities, a way to earn some extra money, or a placeholder while looking for something more permanent. While that can be true, what if temporary, flexible work could be for something more? What if it can become the foundation for deep expertise, meaningful impact, and even entrepreneurship?
For one Unitemps worker, Zakia, that is exactly what happened. Temporary roles through Unitemps were the launchpad to becoming an entrepreneur. Leading Zakia to opening their own coaching practice, NeuroPathways Coaching, supporting neurodivergent individuals.
Building the foundations through temporary work to becoming an entrepreneur
“With over two decades of experience supporting neurodivergent individuals in higher education as an accredited Specialist Study Skills Tutor Spld/ASC, I’ve had the privilege of working across several universities through Unitemps, helping countless students and professionals discover their strengths and pathways to success.
My journey with Unitemps began at Birmingham City University, where I joined as a Specialist Study Skills Tutor in 2002, before Unitemps took over the Personal Assistant Scheme in 2005, opening their second office at Millennium Point. Since then, I’ve witnessed the organisation grow and evolve, expanding opportunities, improving accessibility, and continually refining their systems to better serve both clients and employees.
Through these experiences, I developed a deep understanding of neurodiversity and the diverse challenges faced by students and staff in academia. This foundation became the stepping stone for my next chapter, founding NeuroPathways Coaching, a practice dedicated to empowering neurodivergent adults in education, work, and life.
Unitemps provided reliable access to consistent work across multiple universities, which allowed me to build expertise, deepen my understanding of neurodiversity, and develop the skills that would later become central to my coaching practice.
I would highly recommend Unitemps to anyone seeking meaningful work that aligns with their skills, values, and aspirations. My journey is proof of the lasting impact Unitemps can have on both careers and lives.”
The value of temporary work
Temporary and flexible work gives an opportunity to learn in different roles, develop a range of skills, and grow without being confined to a particular role. Every role is as an opportunity to gain transferable skills that work toward building your CV and experience over time.
- Temporary does not mean invaluable: the right role can provide deep, meaningful work that builds genuine experience
- Flexibility for exploration: temporary work can allow the space to explore things that take your interest. Allowing you to discover what matters most to you in a role
- Build skills across roles: each role adds something different to your skillset and gives you a diverse range of experience. This can become your competitive advantage when applying for future opportunities
- Variety for learning: temporary roles can lead you into different positions and sectors. Meaning you can discover broader perspectives and develop the adaptability that you might not get from staying in one place
Crucially, temporary work can show you what is possible. Identifying the areas and skills you want to progress in or even help you identify gaps that could spark entrepreneurship.
Ready to find opportunities that align with your skills and aspirations? Discover temporary and flexible roles through Unitemps!
Last updated on 20 February 2026
Share this article