What do you do and how long have you been in your current role?
I am head of events at Acevo, which is a membership organisation for chief executives of voluntary organisations. I run the department, which is responsible for delivering 120 events a year for our members. I set the strategy and the budget, allocate resources and provide leadership for my team. I have been in the position for six months.
Where was your first job? What was the most important thing you learnt there?
My first job ever was at McDonalds and I loved it. I learnt how to work quickly and efficiently and how to provide customer service. I also learnt how to work as part of a team to get things done. My first job in events was working in Brussels as part of my degree course. I studied politics and linguistics, and spent a placement year monitoring policy and organising partner visits and briefings.
How did you get from there to where you are now?
Working extremely hard and not being afraid to take on roles in different industries. To advance in your career means breaking out of your comfort zone and embracing new challenges.
Looking back, did you expect your career path to take the course it has?
No, not really. After graduating with a degree totally unrelated to the job that I do, events seemed to tick all the boxes in terms of my skillset. I certainly wouldn’t have imagined that I would work in European political institutions and for one of the largest investment banks in the world [Goldman Sachs].
Would you do anything differently?
Not at all. I have learnt so much from every job I’ve had and I draw on all of that experience in my current role. If I could change anything I would say sometimes I should have had the confidence to say no to taking on new events and projects, which have occasionally overstretched me.
Who has inspired you along the way?
My boss whilst working in Brussels was an inspiration to me. She was very well-respected, intelligent and knowledgeable and provided the right amount of support for me to benefit fully from the experience. My colleagues at the investment bank were also a huge inspiration to me. The amount of work and pressure they were under was a real eye opener and bit of a culture shock for me. But I learnt so much from them and I became a much better events manager through working there.
Have you ever had a job interview that went particularly well or spectacularly wrong?
My best interviews have been the ones where you go in being entirely yourself and get a really positive vibe and you know it will be a good fit. I’ve not had any bad interviews, but I have interviewed some interesting candidates.
Is there a piece of career advice you’ve ever been told that has stuck with you?
Yes, if you are moving on from a role, leave on the best possible terms and leave all your work in a good state. The events industry is very small and your reputation will follow you. You never know who you might bump into in future jobs.
What career advice would you give to your 21-year-old self?
Network, network, network. Doing well in this line of work often means finding out about opportunities through the people you meet, not just relying on job adverts and recruitment consultants. Although it didn’t exist when I was 21, I’m a huge fan of LinkedIn and can foster so many exciting new opportunities and contacts.
How do you wind down and relax after a hectic day?
I spend time reading and walking with my daughter, and a glass of something bubbly usually helps the relaxation process.
Want to share your career story with us as part of the ? Email associate editor Rachel Bull to feature in a future How I Got Here.
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