A member of the Scottish National Party (SNP), she was a councillor for South Lanarkshire, representing the Hamilton North and East ward from 2016 to 2022.

She worked as a manager for Holland and Barrett and took on trainees through Right Track, an organisation assisting young people find jobs and learn skills.

In her roles, she helped early school leavers and long-term unemployed young people to find jobs.

[4] Callaghan was elected to South Lanarkshire Council on 21 January 2016 in a by-election for the Hamilton North and East ward, following the death of Lynn Adams.

[5][6] On 8 May 2021, she was elected as Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) for Uddingston and Bellshill.