When Claire Rouse left school, her mother insisted she got herself a proper career so she became a secretary but never felt happy doing that type of work.
A few years later, Claire went back to school to discuss possible careers with her former headmistress and social work was suggested a decision which many people in Herefordshire were later to benefit from.
Claire, 65, is to retire in April, having spent the past 29 years as a social worker in Herefordshire.
Married to Don and with three children and a grandson, Claire says she has thoroughly enjoyed her time as a social worker in the county.
"I really feel I was born to be a social worker and ever since I qualified by gaining my Certificate in Social Work I have never thought about doing anything else," Claire said.
"I have had an awful lot of fun and feel privileged to have enjoyed my job so much and to have worked with so many wonderful people across the council and within partner organisations," she added.
Claire first came to Herefordshire from Liverpool when her husband had to move jobs. She had been a social worker in Liverpool where she mainly worked in the city's hospitals.
"When I first got a social worker post at what was then Hereford and Worcester County Council, I couldn't believe how nice Hereford was with all its greenery and no homes with boarded up windows," Claire said.
When Claire first started as a social worker in Hereford, it was a generic post and she could be called upon to deal with anything.
Since 1993, as part of new legislation, Claire was able to specialise in helping adults with learning difficulties.
In 1997, this changed again when Claire joined an integrated mental health team based at St Owen's Street, Hereford, and she now works with people with mental health problems.
"I have found all of the changes exciting and I have been able to keep learning all of the time. The current team includes medical staff as well as social workers, so it has been interesting to see how the two areas can work together to help people lead better lives," Claire said.
Claire is now looking forward to retirement and being able to spend more time gardening and walking. She is an active member of her local church in Peterchurch and is also a bellringer and member of a choir.
"I'm sure I will be busy and, with my grandson Stan living in Canada, I'm also hoping to be able to visit him again soon," Claire said.
Geoff Hughes, Herefordshire Council's director of adult and community services, said: "Claire has been a magnificent member of our social work team and has adapted well to the many changes that have taken place during her long career.
"She will be very much missed by both her colleagues and clients and I am sure she will enjoy a happy and much deserved retirement," he added.