What is a typical day at work for you?
It’s a bit of a cliché but we don’t typically have a ‘normal’ day - every day is unique because we are dealing with people and everyone is different; each student has a different circumstance and a different story. In terms of what we do and what we offer students, Careers and Employability can help with a variety of things from CV checking, hosting mock interviews, offering practical one-on-one help with career planning, and helping students develop those important employability skills. Our goal is to give students the skills, knowledge and confidence to go out and realise their potential and make the most of the opportunities available to them. We are here throughout your whole time at university and for up to 2 years after graduation.
What is your favourite part of your job?
Everything about my job revolves around supporting and helping people. Students require some form of help and support, and so it’s being able to help them get through whatever the issue is, whether it be interview preparation, career planning or simply needing their CV looking at. Making career decisions can be quite traumatic for some people. I really enjoy helping students to improve their employability skills and guiding them through the process of looking at their career options. The newness and difference in the issues you see every day keeps the job exciting.
What has been your proudest moment whilst working at the University?
There have been a number of events and activities which I have been involved in which I am pleased to have been part of. But it really does go back to working with individual students. Seeing them develop over their time at the University. Developing motivation and confidence, progressing on to their chosen career. The important point is for students to get involved in their career development as soon as possible in their student life.
Choose a movie title for the story of your life.
Apart from all the disaster films you can think of like Towering Inferno or Titanic, I think I’m going to say ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ because all the things that have happened to me have made me realise what the important things in life are.
If you could have a superpower what would you choose?
The ability to stop politicians lying, so whenever they get asked a question they don’t use politics, they use the truth.
Can you think of one of your greatest success stories?
There are small success stories, the way you deliver certain sessions for example, which is a daily thing. I am based at the Warrington Careers and Employability office and am involved with academic programmes,delivering our activities and services through the curriculum to help increase student engagement with Careers and Employability. Overall I would say success is about working with individual students. That’s one of the reason why I got into the job: seeing people progress and move forward.
Tell us about the benefits of the Chester Difference Award?
The Chester Difference Award is a really good way for students to get an award for things that they are already doing outside the curriculum and outside their degree programme. If they are employed on by Unijob (our on-site recruitment service), creating a Linkedin profile or become a student ambassador, these are things students might do at university anyway. The Chester Difference Award will reward that hard work as it provides an award and recognition which they can then use when making future applications.
What advice would you give someone that doesn’t know what career they want to go into?
The first thing I would say is come and see us! Everyone has their own individual story and route through life. There is no one set plan to guide a person through their decision process for their career because each person is different. So what I would say is if you’re not sure, come and use Careers and Employability. We can help you navigate your way through the hurdles and barriers and support you in working towards your chosen career. This service isn’t just for those who are looking to get a job at the end of your degree, it’s about developing yourself throughout the years you’re at the University of Chester, managing the skills and knowledge gained so that when you come to making career decisions and applying for jobs, you have the right skills and tools.
How would you summarise your Chester story?
I’ve been in a variety of jobs here. When I first started here, I worked for AimHigher so the first part of the story revolved around helping young people to consider going to university as an option after school and college. I then worked within the University's Outreach team doing a similar job for a number of years. For the last three years I have been working as the Team Leader Careers and Employability here at Warrington. There are upcoming Open Days and Experience Days at Warrington which are a great chance for prospective students to see everything the Warrington Campus has on offer.
