“Be curious to different opportunities. If you’re not sure on the career path, having a good understanding of what you like and dislike is always a good place to start. You don’t have to do the job forever but it could set you on a path to something else.”
Your Loughborough Story
- Can you tell us about your memories of your time at school?
I think back fondly to my time at school. I made a wonderful group of friends that remained by my side from Year 7 all the way through, and are still in my life today. I think back fondly to the opportunities we had to explore new subjects and interests, that shaped the people we’ve become. There are too many memories to name but it’s the things like House experiences, how we filled free time to make our own fun and special assemblies that I can still remember vividly years later.
2. How did your time at school influence your life and career?
The school’s focus on languages had a massive influence on me. I didn’t know that it was an interest of mine but I found myself studying Latin, which is such a good grounding in language and I ended up studying this up to A Level. The school’s consistent offer of languages meant that I had the opportunity to start learning Spanish in Year 9. This massively impacted the trajectory of my life – it was part of my university course, I spent time living in Spain and anyone that knows me knows that Spanish culture and language remain a massive part of my life.
3. What do you wish you had known when you were in Sixth Form?
Everything happens for a reason – work hard, chase your goals but also trust that things will work out so make sure you enjoy the ride too.
Alumni Career Wisdom
- What led you to choose your career path?
I studied Business at A Level and at University so I knew I had an interest in that area. However, I started my career in strategy consulting. I loved elements of this but I quickly realised that I wanted to be more customer and digital focused. These interests remained so I pivoted to Retail and joined Tesco’s graduate scheme, which set up my Digital Retail career really well.
2. Could you provide an outline of your job role?
I manage teams that look after the planning and execution of Sainsbury.co.uk. We’re responsible for planning our approach onsite for events, key moments and ensuring our business trade priorities are reflected onsite. Then the other part of the team gets all of that content live onsite so customers can shop it.
3. What are your career highlights?
The graduate scheme at Tesco was an amazing start and learning experience into Digital and life in a Corporate. Those early experiences can be so impactful.
4. What’s one piece of advise you would give to current pupils thinking about entering a similar role to yourself?
Be curious. Retail and Digital change so quickly and it takes collaboration across various teams to make things happen. Staying curious to learn about the market, trends, what teams are working on, what competitors are doing (the list goes on) is an important skill no matter what level you are.
Final notes
1. Do you have any advice for current pupils/graduates who don’t know what to career path to follow?
Again, be curious to different opportunities. If you’re not sure on the career path, having a good understanding of what you like and dislike is always a good place to start. You don’t have to do the job forever but it could set you on a path to something else.
2. Do you have any hobbies that keep you busy in your spare time?
I have a young family and also have ambitions to be an author. I’m currently writing my second young adult novel.
