“Do not be afraid to grow into your career. You do not need to be the loudest person in the room or have all the answers straight away. Confidence, leadership and experience all develop over time.”
Your Loughborough Story
- Can you tell us about your memories of your time at school?
I absolutely loved my time at school. I arrived as a very shy 11-year-old and left as Deputy Head Girl, so my time at the Convent was about so much more than just academic education.
I was never the most academic student, but I genuinely enjoyed being at school and threw myself into school life. It helped me grow in confidence, become more independent and develop a real sense of responsibility.
Some of my strongest memories are of the people, the friendships and the sense of community. Looking back, I can see just how much my time there shaped the person I became and gave me the confidence to believe in myself.
2. If not answered above, what is your fondest memory from school?
DofE and Geography field trips. This is where I found my love for spending time outside, something that I continued and am now passing on to my children.
3. How did your time at school influence your life and career?
My time at school gave me a really stable foundation and helped instil a strong work ethic that has stayed with me throughout my life and career. It taught me to approach challenges with the mindset that there is always a solution and to be proactive in finding ways to overcome problems and support the people around me.
I also developed important skills in empathy and problem-solving, learning to understand different perspectives and recognise when someone may need additional support. Those qualities have shaped the way I work today. I like to find practical solutions, take responsibility and do what I can to help others succeed.
4. What do you wish you had known when you were in Sixth Form?
That you don’t have to have a career planned out at 18 years old. Try things, explore and understand what matters to you and you will find what you are good at.
5. How would you describe school in three words?
Fun, caring and memorable
Alumni Career Wisdom
- What led you to choose your career path?
My career path developed quite naturally rather than from having one specific goal from the beginning. I have always enjoyed working with people, solving problems and being in roles where I can make a practical difference. I have developed many skills over time in various roles but I was always good at being organised in my general day to day operations and planning events, and it was something I enjoyed, which is what led me to working in a project environment.
2. Could you provide an outline of your job role?
I currently work as a Customer Service and Quality Manager within an employee owned project management training organisation. My role is quite varied and involves overseeing the day-to-day running of the customer service function, supporting my team and making sure our customers receive a high standard of service.
A large part of my role is focused on problem-solving and continuous improvement. I work across different areas of the business to review processes, resolve issues and identify ways we can work more efficiently while maintaining a strong customer experience. It is my responsibility to carry out quality and compliance checks, helping to make sure our processes are effective and consistently followed.
I am also a member of the Senior Leadership Team, which means I am involved in wider strategic decision-making across the business. This includes contributing to discussions around business priorities, operational improvements, future planning and how we can continue to grow and develop as an organisation.
3. What are your career highlights?
Becoming a member of the Senior Leadership Team has been a particularly important milestone for me, as it has allowed me to contribute to strategic decision-making and have a wider impact beyond my own department. I am proud to be involved in shaping priorities, improving processes and helping the organisation move forward.
I am also proud of the teams I have supported and developed throughout my career. Seeing people grow in confidence, take on more responsibility and succeed in their own roles is something I find incredibly rewarding.
4. What job search tips would you give to pupils looking for a career in your industry?
My advice would be not to worry too much about having your whole career mapped out from the start. Be open to opportunities, work hard and focus on building skills that will always be valuable, such as communication, problem-solving, empathy and confidence.
A big part of my career has come from being willing to get involved, take responsibility and look for solutions rather than waiting for someone else to fix a problem. If you can be someone who is reliable, proactive and supportive of others, those qualities will take you a long way in almost any role.
Most importantly, do not be afraid to grow into your career. You do not need to be the loudest person in the room or have all the answers straight away. Confidence, leadership and experience all develop over time.
5. What are the key skills you need for your job role/to work in your industry?
Working in project management and project controls requires a good mix of organisation, communication and problem-solving skills. You need to be able to plan ahead, manage priorities and keep track of lots of different pieces of information at the same time.
Strong communication is also really important, as projects involve working with different people, teams and stakeholders. Being able to explain information clearly, listen to others and manage expectations can make a big difference to how smoothly a project runs.
Project controls also relies heavily on attention to detail and analytical thinking. You need to be comfortable reviewing schedules, budgets, risks and progress information, spotting where something may be going off track and taking action early.
I would also say resilience, adaptability and a proactive mindset are key. Projects rarely go exactly to plan, so being able to stay calm, find solutions and adjust when circumstances change is a very important part of the role.
Final notes
- Do you have any advice for current pupils/graduates who don’t know what to career path to follow?
My advice would be not to put too much pressure on yourself to have everything figured out straight away. Very few people follow a completely straight career path, and often the best opportunities come from trying different things and learning what you enjoy along the way.
Focus on building transferable skills such as communication, organisation, problem-solving and confidence, as these will be valuable in almost any career. Be open to opportunities, ask questions, get involved and do not be afraid to change direction if something does not feel right.
Most importantly, remember that your first job does not have to define your whole career. You can keep learning, developing and moving into different roles as your interests and strengths become clearer.
2. Do you have any hobbies that keep you busy in your spare time?
I play netball
