I knew I was interested in working in the Education Sector but wasn’t 100% sure as to whether I wanted to go into Teaching. The BA Education offered a real breadth of study across Psychology, Policy, History, Sociology and more which really appealed to me. In this sense, it’s an ideal platform for progressing into teaching, but also increases your awareness and understanding of other opportunities available in the sector.

I particularly value my degree now that I’m working in Higher Education as this is a really broad field and I feel that I’ve got a good grounding of knowledge in a range of different areas to support me here.    

Tell us about your career journey from Birmingham student to where you are today

After graduating from Birmingham, I went on to complete a PGCE Primary Education. I then worked as a Supply Teacher for a few months before then securing a fixed post to start completing my NQT Year. Having always had an interest in Higher Education, I decided to leave Teaching to enrol on the Ambitious Futures Graduate programme which has offered me 18 months’ work experience in 2 Universities: the University of Warwick and the Open University. I enjoy the breadth of the Higher Education sector, and the range of opportunities there are to get involved in. 

Describe your current role and organisation

I am currently on my final placement of the Ambitious Futures Graduate Programme; a Leadership Development programme for Higher Education. This 18-month programme provides practical work experience across two universities in a range of areas and aims to kick-start a career in university administration. The University of Warwick has been my ‘host’ institution for the programme and my final placement has been based in one of their cross-faculty centres, working on a range of Education Policy-related projects. 

Did you participate in extra-curricular activities, if so how have these helped you in your current career?

It was important for me that I’d be able to continue engaging in music in some way when I moved away from home, even if I wasn’t at University to study Music. Throughout my three years at UoB, I was a member of the Chamber Choir and Orchestra and was a regular audience member at a range of different concerts and events held both on campus and in the city. Involvement in music is a great way to meet new people and teamwork and perseverance are 2 key qualities learnt here. Beyond music, I completed an Open Access Spanish course to help me to help progress my knowledge of Spanish culture and language post-A Level. I also became involved in Guild Volunteering in my final years and really value the leadership skills gained from being on the committee of one of the Student Led groups. 

Thinking back on your time as a student, what do you know now that you wish you knew then?

 I realise now that things will often work themselves out in the end, and that it can take time for a full plan to come together. There are a couple of opportunities I turned down whilst at University because I’d been worried about logistics or having a concrete plan at the time. E.g. a key reason for opting out of Studying Abroad for a term was because I was worried about being unable to find student accommodation when I returned. However, I’m sure that this wouldn’t have been the case and that there would have been enough guidance and support at UoB to help me on this in the end. 

What one word would you use to describe the University of Birmingham?

Transformative