Tell us about your educational and/or career journey since you graduated from Brunel?
Following graduation, I secured a dream job in Formula One on a graduate programme. I rotated around different departments as part of the scheme until I found my role within Early Careers. Here I worked with children as young as 4, inspiring them into STEM, all the way through to our graduates, running the various programmes, we had and connecting with fascinating individuals across the sport. After COVID and a serious sporting injury, I struggled with my own mental health and after 4 amazing years in Formula One I felt the time was right to step away and support others who may also be struggling. This led to my role at Sport in Mind, who are a mental health sports charity, using the power of sport and physical activity to help people with mental health problems.
What does a typical day at work involve for you?
My role includes a lot of relationship building, from our participants, venues, coaches and funders and so every day I will be sure to be involved with that! I also get involved in various other projects across the charity and have plenty of opportunities to stretch myself and make new connections and potential partnerships.
What’s been the highlight of your career journey so far?
Setting up and running the Early Careers Awards at Williams Racing. Delivering these awards 2 years in a row were pinch me moments and made me feel incredibly proud of everyone who was present in that room, regardless if they won an award or not!
How would you say your Brunel experience has helped you to get where you are today?
From the start I wouldn't be where I am today without my degree from Brunel. Firstly, I would never have achieved a graduate role at an F1 team, which led on to so many amazing moments and learning opportunities. I also regularly use the knowledge and understanding I gained from my course in my current job at Sport in Mind. It has really helped me look at the Sports Development world through a different lens and have an open mind when presented new challenges.
Why did you choose to study at Brunel and why would you recommend Brunel to others?
Brunel felt right for me location wise, being close to main roads and London. But it was also well known for its sports. Being into playing sport myself (not at a necessarily high level) it fitted well with me.
What is your best memory of studying here?
For me it was making lifelong friends within my sports team. I picked up and played Ultimate Frisbee whilst studying and this has opened up so many opportunities for me, with me having been the GB U17 Open Manager in 2022 and the GB U20 Women's manager this year.
If you could give one piece of advice to current Brunel students, what would that be?
Get involved and give new things a go! Give your all in your studies but also give those new societies or sports a go. Just face everything with an open mind because you never know what opportunity it may give you in the future!
What would be your top tip or key advice for new graduates as they begin their career journey after leaving Brunel?
Keep going and just give it a go. Life after university can be really tough, and sometimes scary. But if you persevere, it will work out in the end (sometimes just a little slower than you would like!). Don't be afraid to take chances and apply to things you don't think you will get. I never thought I would get a job in Formula One, but I applied, interviewed, gave it my all and got in. But had I not, I know it would have been okay, just different.
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