Louise Clark, COP 26 senior coverage manager, Countrywide Grid
Graduated in 2009 with a degree in theology from Durham University

Louise Clark

I did not have a certain system which, looking back, was probably a great thing. I made the decision to implement for the British isles Civil Service Rapidly Stream graduate programme. When questioned for a sector preference, I selected the natural environment as I had accomplished some function encounter in the sector and observed the prospect for a objective-led purpose.

This led to numerous decades doing work in the government’s Division of Power and Local weather Alter, which forever formed my profession. One thing I learnt is to not come to feel restricted by your degree subject. On the facial area of it, theology is not helpful for nearly anything but you develop competencies and then you can discover a career that allows you to carry on creating all those competencies.

Do not suppose there are no employment anyplace simply because of the pandemic. If you’re intrigued in something, question about it and go for it. Also, there is a perception that in the electrical power sector you have to have to be technological or scientific, but that just isn’t real. There is method, coverage, advertising and marketing, a entire vary of items where by generalists can be involved.


Marie Skinner, head of daily life sciences and expertise acquisition, B-Hive Engineering
Graduated in 2008 with a masters in technological translation at the Université de Haute-Alsace Mulhouse-Colmar, and is at this time researching for an govt MBA at HEC Paris

Marie Skinner

The market was hard. I was looking for a career everywhere — the British isles, France, Germany. I had a person interview and inevitably the career was cancelled.

I made the decision to begin a translation organization. I had no clue what I was accomplishing, but I managed to acquire my community. From the beginning, it was profitable. But, right after four or 5 decades, I received bored. I desired to function with individuals as it was just me, my computer and my dictionary. I took evening courses in HR and discovered a career as a recruiter at an engineering consultancy. I climbed my way up till I remaining for a competitor.

To all those graduating now: don’t be scared to pivot. I shifted direction at 26 and did something fully various. It felt like a significant thing, but basically it is Alright.


Stephanie Bennett, senior banking adviser, Northern Belief Wealth Administration
Graduated in 2009 with an MBA from University of Virginia Darden Faculty of Enterprise

Stephanie Bennett

The firm I was doing work for in the summer season of 2008 went less than and was taken around by a different firm. Gives had been remaining rescinded but my submit-MBA career was honoured.

Through my MBA, I turned my concentration to a career on a trading ground in New York. It was not a career that had a great deal of on campus interviewing chances so I had to fly to the town at minimum the moment a 7 days to satisfy individuals at various firms.

I contacted Darden alumni who labored at the companies I was intrigued in, and questioned them to introduce me to more individuals.

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It is necessary to often be creating your community even right after you begin your career.

However, all people is strapped for time and sources suitable now, so be delicate to how you technique individuals.

I was not very delicate when I leaned on my Darden community all-around the economical disaster and fortunately a few of individuals gave me some early constructive feedback so I could modify my technique.


Bethany Watts, new organization director, Leo Burnett, advertising company
Graduated in 2009 with a degree in geography from University of Manchester


Immediately after graduating, I fell into advertising. I had been travelling, such as a few months in Costa Rica and Nicaragua with Raleigh Worldwide, a sustainable enhancement charity, I understood a few of individuals who labored in advertising companies, so I made the decision to do some function encounter.

I received on to the graduate plan at Leo’s and I assume it assisted that I took a yr out. I did not squander far too much electrical power stressing about the items that I could not manage.

If you do consider a hole yr, don’t do something simply because you assume you should do things that will make you pleased.

Consider about your priorities: what is significant to you, what won’t you compromise on? It is also significant to keep a degree of open mindedness. You might discover a purpose at a person of your top rated companies that is not your fantastic purpose, but may perhaps be value considering.

My precedence was variation. I have been at Leo’s for 10 decades as it has presented me with more than enough various chances. Persevere and be individual. It will consider time and exertion, so get snug with rejection. You only have to have a person “yes”.


Priyanka Sharma, management enhancement associate, LexisNexis Chance Alternatives Group
Graduated in 2008 with a degree in zoology from Delhi University, India, and accomplished an MBA at London Enterprise Faculty in 2020

Priyanka Sharma

I did not know specifically what I desired to do but, right after two months, I realised I undoubtedly desired a career. I came from a minimal-revenue house and did not want to be a load on my mother and father.

I took the first career that came my way doing work in a contact centre. I then labored as a French trainer, when browsing for the suitable prospect — which was when I joined Tata Consultancy Solutions as a organization analyst.

If you have economical obligations, consider nearly anything that will come your way — then you can stay afloat, pay out your payments and maintain looking for the suitable purpose. Do not randomly implement for roles when you implement for everything, you dilute your manufacturer. Be stubborn about your plans but flexible with the methods.