How do you use previous experience you have gained in your current role?

I've worked previously as a Careers Adviser and a Lecturer in Employability and Enterprise which has provided both a student support and academic perspective in providing the best possible service for students and graduates.

What is the most game changing piece of careers advice that you have been given?

"Have a narrative" i.e. set goal/s and document what you did to achieve them. I've used my PDR for this and being able to tell a story with examples about what I've achieved and how I’ve developed professionally has helped me to secure this role as well as various secondments I've wanted to do.

How do you use previous experience you have gained in your current role?

I started working in Learning and Development within a Charity, and quickly understood what keeps people motivated and happy within the workplace. I then moved to work in careers and have moved around various projects in the team, including completing my professional careers qualification.

What is the most game changing piece of careers advice that you have been given?

You spend more time at work than most other places in your life - so enjoy it! Most jobs are not life and death, so be open to learning new things, and owning your mistakes. Find work buddies who can help you with this, and make work fun.

How do you use previous experience you have gained in your current role?

Developing careers support for school/college students with special educational needs taught me the impact of disabling conditions and respect for those who achieve whilst living with them. As well as careers adviser roles, I was a manager in various organisations, recruiting and supporting staff.

What is the most game changing piece of careers advice that you have been given?

Your working life is a marathon and not a sprint, so if your career takes a while to get going, that doesn’t mean you won’t get where you want to in the end. Luck is where opportunity meets preparation.

How do you use previous experience you have gained in your current role?

I have worked in higher education as a lecturer and manager for many years. Listening to people, having empathy and being able to multi-task are useful skills for my current role. I am also studying Creative Writing, which also comes in handy.

What is the most game changing piece of careers advice that you have been given?

That it's OK to change career. If you need a change, or things aren't working out - move on. Keep learning new skills, stay young!

How do you use previous experience you have gained in your current role?

My experience with students from a range of different backgrounds has shown me how important diversity and inclusion is. This guides everything I do when working with students from underrepresented groups.

What is the most game changing piece of careers advice that you have been given?

It's equally important to determine if a workplace is the right fit for you as it is to demonstrate your suitability for the role to a potential employer. During an interview, consider whether you can imagine yourself working there and if your values align with the team's culture.

How do you use previous experience you have gained in your current role?

In this role, I use my customer service skills to build employer relationships and address their needs. My discipline as a former Olympic athlete aids in effective planning and my finance secretary experience supports smooth administrative operations.

What is the most game changing piece of careers advice that you have been given?

I think the most game changing piece of careers advice I have been given is to be yourself, to believe in yourself and never be afraid to ask for help or advice from others.

How do you use previous experience you have gained in your current role?

My previous experience as an Information Officer and in administration have been invaluable in helping me manage a project effectively. My role is very people based and I've got years of involvement working and helping people from a wide variety of backgrounds.

What is the most game changing piece of careers advice that you have been given?

Get a mentor (and in your lifetime get several!) How wonderful it is to see students grow and flourish when they do.

How do you use previous experience you have gained in your current role?

I previously worked in local government and supported businesses to thrive and recruit staff. My direct experience of working with businesses, meant I could relate to employers and develop strong relationships to encourage them to engage with Lancaster to recruit their future talent.

What is the most game changing piece of careers advice that you have been given?

Always be open to learning new things and take advantage of opportunities when they arise. I recently had the opportunity to learn to be a careers advisor. Although this wasn't in my 'career plan', I took the opportunity and I have discovered something new that I really enjoy.

How do you use previous experience you have gained in your current role?

Working at McDonald's enabled me to develop people's skills, which I can regularly put into practice when conducting right-to-work checks for candidates, answering both candidates' & hiring managers' queries, and covering ERS desk

What is the most game changing piece of careers advice that you have been given?

Always have a plan, because not having a plan is planning to fail

How do you use previous experience you have gained in your current role?

This position was offered to me after I completed a micro internship as social media intern with GROW Your Future. This introduced me to the team, the environment and I was surrounded by other interns which gave me insight on what was to come for me. I also had hotel experience with customer service and emails.

What is the most game changing piece of careers advice that you have been given?

Do not stress about set work experience when applying for a role, employers look for qualities of you and how you carry yourself, and you can always reflect on experience from elsewhere and utilise what you have, rather than what you don’t have.

How do you use previous experience you have gained in your current role?

In my previous role I worked for a big commercial recruitment agency in the Senior Finance sector, working with qualified accountants all the way to financial directors. This translates perfectly into my current role - making the recruitment process as simple as possible.

What is the most game changing piece of careers advice that you have been given?

Don't be afraid to fail. Keep going and you will get where you need to be eventually, resilience is key.

How do you use previous experience you have gained in your current role?

While working in customer-facing roles before joining the ERS, I developed communication skills that I have been able to apply to numerous aspects of my current role, such as responding to queries from hiring managers, candidates, and employees.

What is the most game changing piece of careers advice that you have been given?

You don’t have to know right now what you want to do in the future, do something you enjoy and doors will open.

How do you use previous experience you have gained in your current role?

I have experience as a multisite store manager in the UK supermarket sector and in EU e-commerce, managing teams across Europe. This background helps me relate to employers and build strong relationships to encourage engagement with Lancaster.

What is the most game changing piece of careers advice that you have been given?

Find a role you truly enjoy; you spend a lot of time at work, so pursue your passion. This will keep you motivated and help you deliver your best results.

How do you use previous experience you have gained in your current role?

I have worked in a variety of student-focused positions. My background includes roles focused on enriching the student experience, as well as building partnerships with external organisations to create valuable employability opportunities for students.

What is the most game changing piece of careers advice that you have been given?

Rejections can be tough, but don't let them define your journey. Every "no" is just a step closer to the right "yes". The right role will come along when the time is right. Stay patient, trust the process and keep believing in yourself - you are on the right path.

How do you use previous experience you have gained in your current role?

With many years in university employability roles, I've seen how valuable experiential learning, self-reflection and personal development can be. Your time here is a journey, and it is my role to help you and provide opportunities to grow, explore, and develop.

What is the most game changing piece of careers advice that you have been given?

The most game-changing career advice I've received is to view networking as building genuine relationships, not just a professional necessity. By connecting authentically with others, opportunities and growth often naturally follow.

How do you use previous experience you have gained in your current role?

I worked as a secondary teacher so teaching, communication & working across departments have been useful when working with teams & delivering careers sessions. I practiced as a nutritional therapist so working one to one & imparting information has helped me retain knowledge and explain processes.

What is the most game changing piece of careers advice that you have been given?

Avoid making decisions based on fear; take time to consider what is best for you.

How do you use previous experience you have gained in your current role?

I’ve held many volunteering roles outside Careers so have seen first hand how skills from one role helps you be able to do another. I use this background to help students understand how transferrable their skills, experiences and degree specific knowledge are to be successful with their next steps.

What is the most game changing piece of careers advice that you have been given?

At work the days that matter most are MAD days - not crazy days, not busy days - but the Make A Difference Days where you can see the impact of what you do and you know you're part of something great. If your job is full of MAD days, you'll have enormous job satisfaction, and nothing is worth more.

How do you use previous experience you have gained in your current role?

I have managed a Recruitment Agency focused on NHS roles. At Durham University, I led the Student Employment Service, helping students find part-time and temporary jobs. For the last 10 years, I've been part of the Careers Service team at Lancaster University, guiding students in their career journeys.

What is the most game changing piece of careers advice that you have been given?

Follow your own path in your own time. It is likely that your career will be more like a winding road than a straight line and that is ok!

How do you use previous experience you have gained in your current role?

As a LUMS graduate my research within both my Master's and PhD introduced me to the fascinating world of medical careers. My PhD thesis explored a range of career stories within an NHS Trust. Prior to this, I had a varied career within sales & national account management. I am also a qualified coach.

What is the most game changing piece of careers advice that you have been given?

'Do what makes you happy!' and, 'follow your own path'. It sounds cheesy, but you spend too long at work to be doing something that you don't enjoy. And don't just follow the crowd, you can create your own path and don't need to compare yourself with others.

How do you use previous experience you have gained in your current role?

I think that previous roles held in offering careers guidance to students, and also work done connecting with employers does link to being a Placement Officer.

What is the most game changing piece of careers advice that you have been given?

Why not step in and taste a role or sector in any way you can to experience it! You could talk to an employer at the end of a guest lecture; message an employee via Linked In; arrange to do a 1 day work shadow... the list goes on...

How do you use previous experience you have gained in your current role?

Not from a careers background but I have worked in many businesses, industries and sectors and so have a good insight to what a business large medium or small are looking for though student support and understand how both student and company can gain from the experience.

What is the most game changing piece of careers advice that you have been given?

Your career path will never be straight forward and easy but it will take you to places that you had not considered if you are receptive and open to new opportunities.

How do you use previous experience you have gained in your current role?

I am an experienced Higher Education administrator, having previously worked in the Recruitment and Admissions sector. My roles have focused on student engagement in a supportive and advisory capacity. This is where my skills of communication and collaboration have come to the fore.

What is the most game changing piece of careers advice that you have been given?

Have passion, commitment and dedication.

How do you use previous experience you have gained in your current role?

I've been a Careers Adviser at Lancaster University for 10 years, and I spent some time working in LUMS Placements team too which is where I discovered my love of Placements! Prior to that I worked in Human Resources which has equipped me with a good understanding of UK employment legislation.

What is the most game changing piece of careers advice that you have been given?

Don't compare yourself to other people, everyone is different so don't try and copy someone else's career plan. "Just paddle your own canoe".

How do you use previous experience you have gained in your current role?

My background in careers advice and recruitment allows me to guide students through the placement process, from exploring roles to crafting standout applications. I'm passionate about helping students develop the research, networking and marketing skills to uncover and secure the best opportunities.

What is the most game changing piece of careers advice that you have been given?

Learning how to find and contact professionals in roles that interested me has made a huge difference to my career. Doing these ‘information interviews’ boosted my understanding and confidence, allowing me to get answers to the questions which most interested me, and to make many useful connections.

How do you use previous experience you have gained in your current role?

I first worked in marketing roles for charities which helped to develop my communication skills. I then moved to work in student support roles in Higher Education which has given me a good understanding of the challenges students face at all stages of their university journey.

What is the most game changing piece of careers advice that you have been given?

No-one expects you to know everything straight away when you start a new role. Ask questions and show that you are keen to learn. Be kind to yourself and accept it will take time to settle-in and get to know new people. This has helped me to feel happier about taking new steps in my working life.

How do you use previous experience you have gained in your current role?

My experience from teaching means I am aware that one size does not fit all, and therefore aim to adapt my practice to ensure an inclusive environment. Having recruited staff and students in previous roles, I understand how making a positive impact from the outset is a priority.

What is the most game changing piece of careers advice that you have been given?

Don’t give up! If one path doesn’t lead to where you want to go, then look for another way. Keep developing your skills throughout the journey, and enjoy it!

How do you use previous experience you have gained in your current role?

With a Business and Marketing degree and experience in events, pharmaceuticals, and manufacturing industries, my brand management and design skills help me create and deliver, on-brand marketing campaigns. My experience in creating accessible materials helps me to ensure our campaigns are inclusive.

What is the most game changing piece of careers advice that you have been given?

Your strengths might not always be obvious to you, but they shine brightly to others. Save any positive feedback you receive in a folder to look back and reflect upon. You can also use this feedback during interviews and reviews to highlight your achievements and showcase your value.

How do you use previous experience you have gained in your current role?

Having previously worked in hospitality and recruitment, I've found that you can learn a lot by asking questions and by listening. Both skills are vital in my role to ensure that I can provide correct information or signpost on to the relevant person or department.

What is the most game changing piece of careers advice that you have been given?

You don't have to have it all figured out and rush to attain that "perfect" job. It's ok to pivot and do other things to figure out what you'd ideally like to do. You'll probably pick up some other skills along the way!

How do you use previous experience you have gained in your current role?

I have had a really varied career within Higher Education over some 18 years, working in recruitment, creative, and technical services. I love offering real insight, perspective and reassurance to empower our students and improve their employability, building an authentic rapport with my advice.

What is the most game changing piece of careers advice that you have been given?

"Back yourself" - confidence in your own abilities doesn't always come quickly or easily in life and we all have a different relationship with it. No career is ever a straight line, but take that professional encouragement when it is offered, it can be life changing professionally and personally.

How do you use previous experience you have gained in your current role?

My experience in commercial sales management and professional recruitment gives me practical experience of the techniques used in graduate recruitment, and how to stand out in competitive application processes.

What is the most game changing piece of careers advice that you have been given?

Asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. The people who are most successful in life aren't always there just because they're exceptional in themselves, they are often the best at finding support in areas where they are less strong.

How do you use previous experience you have gained in your current role?

I joined Careers straight after graduating from Lancaster, but I do have experience working in FASS and LUMS, which gave me a better insight into our faculties. I also completed my postgraduate careers qualification at Warwick, enabling me to apply a more theoretical approach to my advice.

What is the most game changing piece of careers advice that you have been given?

'Look after number one' (i.e. yourself!) You should always pursue a job or career that's right for you.

How do you use previous experience you have gained in your current role?

It's many years since I completed a Master's in Social Research but I still use what I learned back then in my current role, whether it's planning research projects, facilitating focus groups or analysing quantitative data.

What is the most game changing piece of careers advice that you have been given?

My first line manager told me you won't regret the things you do. You'll regret the things you don't do when you have the chance. Whether that applies to your career or life in general, there's definitely a lot of truth in this.