From aircraft mechanic to full time freelancer. How Ryan rewrote the rules of work and life.
At the age of 19, Ryan Gatt was balancing a full-time role as an aircraft mechanic, training with Malta’s national futsal and beach soccer teams, and studying aviation maintenance. On paper, his path looked structured and promising. He was building a future that others admired. However, it didn’t feel like his own.
Ryan always valued freedom, flexibility, and creativity. His job offered stability, yet very little space to explore the kind of life he imagined. Over time, it became clear that technical work in aviation was not where he wanted to stay. He made a bold decision to take a front office role, not as a step backward, but as a pause to reset and rethink his direction.
That shift in mindset led him straight to ICE Campus. The flexible course structure was perfect for someone juggling multiple responsibilities, offering hands-on learning and practical case studies that fit around his schedule. Ryan had always been drawn to writing, problem-solving, and finding just the right words to explain complex ideas. The Professional Diploma in UX Design felt like the perfect intersection of strategy and creativity, where his location wouldn’t limit his potential.
Ryan didn’t stop there. Momentum built momentum. He went on to complete the Graphic Design Associate, Professional Diploma in Digital Marketing, and finally the Postgraduate Diploma in Digital Marketing. Each qualification built on the last, creating a comprehensive skill set that opened doors he never knew existed.
The decision paid off quickly. Within weeks, Ryan booked a one-way ticket to Tenerife with no job lined up, just one month of accommodation, and a mindset to figure it out along the way. He began applying what he was learning in real-time, and secured his first freelance clients while travelling. These opportunities were built from conversations, initiative, and confidence in what he could offer.
This was the moment he proved to himself that uncertainty didn’t mean failure. It meant freedom. He was no longer waiting for a better plan… he was building one by living it.
Today, Ryan has taken his adventure even further, with a Masters in Digital Marketing exploring personal branding for CEOs and founders on LinkedIn, a space where his creative thinking and marketing skills meet in full alignment. He consults with a range of clients across multiple industries from iGaming to hospitality in both European and US markets, delivering SEO, paid campaigns, and conversion-focused content that drives real results.
Ryan’s journey is not linear. It is built on small, strategic risks and a clear sense of what matters to him. He wanted a career that allowed him to live, travel, and grow on his own terms. ICE Campus gave him the starting point.
His story is proof that with the right skills, consistent action, and a clear sense of what matters, it is possible to build a career that doesn’t ask you to choose between ambition and freedom. Ryan is currently spending his post-Masters summer travelling around Europe, catching up with friends, working remotely, and living life entirely on his own terms.
Did we mention that he’s only 22? What are you waiting for?
What stands out most is how they treat you. You’re not just another student or a number on a list. Whenever I had a question or ran into a problem, I could reach out directly and get support, not be left to figure it out alone or get ghosted. That personal attention makes a huge difference.
RYAN GATTSEO Freelancer
