ONE of Nicola Sturgeon’s first jobs after graduating from Glasgow University with an honours law degree and legal practice diploma was at Drumchapel Law and Money Advice Centre.

Many years later, at the Glasgow Times Scotswoman of the Year gala dinner, she told fellow guests law, not politics, had always been the plan.

Glasgow Times:

Devolution prompted her change of thinking, although the young Glasgow graduate could not have imagined she would one day become Scotland’s first female First Minister, its longest-serving First Minister, and the first woman to lead any of the devolved UK administrations.

Glasgow Times: Nicola opening a Gorbals housing development in 2009Nicola opening a Gorbals housing development in 2009 (Image: Newsquest)

Writing exclusively for the Glasgow Times on the eve of her swearing-in, Nicola – who is still a columnist with our newspaper – said: “There is no doubt that becoming the first woman to hold the office of First Minister is significant.

“I hope that it sends a very strong message to every young woman and girl in the country - that, no matter your gender or background, if you are good enough and work hard enough, you can achieve whatever you set your mind to. In short, I hope it leaves another massive crack in the glass ceiling.”

Glasgow Times: Nicola at the Save Pollok Park protest in 2008Nicola at the Save Pollok Park protest in 2008 (Image: Newsquest)

Born in Irvine in 1970 and educated at Greenwood Academy, Nicola – who now lives in Glasgow with her husband Peter Murrell – joined the SNP at the age of 16 and has been campaigning for Scottish independence ever since.

Glasgow Times: Nicola with her book of the year in 2005Nicola with her book of the year in 2005 (Image: Newsquest)

She was elected to the Scottish Parliament in 1999 representing Glasgow as an MSP and re-elected in 2003. In 2007 Nicola won the Glasgow Govan constituency from Labour.

Glasgow Times: Winning Glasgow Southside in 2016Winning Glasgow Southside in 2016 (Image: Newsquest)

Following a review of Scottish Parliament constituency boundaries in 2010 the Govan constituency was abolished. Nicola was elected as the MSP for Glasgow Southside, which took in most of her former Govan constituency.

In government, she served as Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing between May 2007 and September 2012 and then Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure, Investment and Cities with responsibility for government strategy and the constitution until November 2014. Throughout this period she also served as Deputy First Minister of Scotland.

Glasgow Times: Nicola at a vigil for murdered MP Jo Cox in George Square in 2016Nicola at a vigil for murdered MP Jo Cox in George Square in 2016 (Image: Newsquest)

In the extraordinary aftermath of the referendum campaign, the SNP enjoyed a membership boost of more than 60,000, and huge audiences crowded into large venues to hear Nicola speak.

Nicola became leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP) on November 14, 2014, and was sworn in as First Minister on November 20, 2014.