Across topics such as becoming a freelancer, using a PhD in the world of work, sustainability, robotics, and more, alumni kindly gave their time and shared expertise with students across all disciplines.
Alumnus Christopher Edmonds (BSc Computer Science and E-Business 2008) is a G Suite Specialist at Google Cloud Sales Engineering, based in San Francisco. He contributed to one of the first sessions of the month, Careers in Tech. He talked about his customer-facing role and work on platform integration, and generally about what it’s like to work for a company such as Google.
Supporting the Careers in Marketing session, colleagues Helen Francis (BSc Management Sciences 2001) and Matthew Sykes (BSc Information Studies 2000) discussed their roles at Bacardi. Helen, Global Director – Capability and Development, and Matt, Senior Director Global Marketing, Patron, presented their career journeys, experiences at Bacardi, and tips for a marketing career at the panel event in February.
Talking all things finance were alumna Julie Beavan (BSc Economics with Accountancy 1991) and alumnus Paul Hammett (BSc Banking and Finance 1998). Julie’s roles have ranged from EMEA COO to Strategy MD, and Julie is currently Global Markets Chief of Staff at UBS Investment Bank. Paul, the CFO/COO at Pirate.com discussed his 20 years’ experience in finance, operations, and investment within start-ups and global organisations, with a particular focus on his current venture at Pirate.
Alumnus Federico Giusto talked about his experiences at iSpace, based in Luxembourg, with colleague Frederick Montgomery. The pair talked about getting into a career in AI and robotics, with a focus on their roles at the space company.
Tony Heslop (BSc Chemistry and Polymer Science 1991/ MBA 2001) and Francesca Guglielmi (PG Cert Water and Environmental Management 2015) were welcomed to Careers in Sustainability, a popular session with students from a range of disciplines. Tony is Senior Sustainability Manager at BASF PLC, and Francesca a Flood Coastal Risk Management Officer at the Environment Agency, where she has also held specific sustainability roles. The alumni talked about their different experiences in the corporate and public sectors, respectively.
Dr Vicky Thakordas-Desai (BSc Psychology 2000) attended Getting into Psychology, whilst three alumni discussed their experiences at the What do Doctoral Graduates Do? session last week. They were Dr Liz Barrett (PhD Psychology 1991), Chief Human Resources Officer, Sitehands; Dr James Carroll (BSc Economics 2010; MSc Economics and Econometrics 2011; PhD Economics 2015), Consultant, Atos Consulting; and Dr Natalie Frow (BSc Accounting and Financial Management 2001), Vice President Home Delivery, DHL Supply Chain.
Alumna Gemma Newell (BA Industrial Design and Technology 2006) contributed to the Careers in Creative Industry session, and three alumni, Jemma Robinson (BA Illustration 2005), Peter Knight (BA Information and Library Studies 2000), and Ioannis Pazaitis (MSc Engineering Design 2000) shared their freelance journeys at the Going Freelance event.
Thank you to everyone who volunteered.