After leaving school Dawn took up a career with the Civil Service and during her time there undertook a range of roles and responsibilities. Looking for a change in direction she undertook a multi-disciplinary degree studying criminology,  psychology, sociology and law and received an award for the Best Honours Student in her final year. Whilst studying at the University of Abertay Dundee she was offered the post of Events Manager with the Tayside STEM Partnership and forged links with many national and international organisations.

Dawn set up her own Events Management Company and during this time managed a range of events for clients such as The Royal Institution of Great Britain, Dundee City Council, The Royal Society of Chemistry,  Angus Council, University of Abertay Dundee, Perth & Kinross Council and Discovery STEM Space School, which involved developing close links with Space Centre Houston and NASA.

In 2007 Dawn undertook a part-time teaching post at Dundee College and commenced a study programme for a Postgraduate Diploma in Enterprise Creation, again gaining recognition for her outstanding academic acheivement.