[Note: Originally drafted in 2019, this case study celebrates our alumni who have since continued their career success.]
How has your career developed since graduating?
My career has gone on a bit of a journey. I started off in sales and work in both HR and tech sales following the year after graduation. Realising that sales was not the area for me, I secured a place on the Worldpay Graduate Scheme as a project manager within their eCommerce Department, specifically within Product Marketing. Unfortunately, I was only in the role 6 months due to Worldpay’s merger with Vantiv and my role no longer existed. Luckily, I was able to get a job on the PR team servicing all lines of business and where I stayed for 18 months. Worldpay then underwent another merger with a US company called FIS. Due to the uncertainty of a new merger and lack of opportunity for promotion I sought a different internal job. I recently moved onto the Strategic Proposals team within our eCommerce division. I manage all the Requests for Proposals that our eComm division receives from varying companies i.e. airlines, online travel agents, streaming services, retail, etc. This has been the biggest step up for me, with the opportunity to manage a team and work with senior stakeholders in the business.
What is the most rewarding aspect of your current role?
Working with a variety of stakeholders across the business to complete an RFP (Request for Proposal) and submit it on time.
What is your greatest achievement since graduating?
My greatest achievement was organising a three-day event programme for five industry analysts. Additionally, I secured a position on the Worldpay Graduate Scheme. Out of 4,000 applicants, they only selected 25 of us.
What advice would you offer to current students interested in working in your field?
In roles like sales or on a bid team, collaboration is key. Take all the lessons you’ve learned from group work at university and apply them in the real world; after all, life outside of university largely revolves around team efforts. Additionally, being proficient in Excel is crucial. It’s a primary tool for professionals in my field. Starting your job with a basic to intermediate proficiency, such as understanding pivot tables and vlookups, will give you an edge.
What do you think are the most important things you learnt as part of your course?
The most important things that I learned as part of my course is how important it is to show people that you are there for them. I would not have made it through university without the support of everyone within the Economics department and I have really taken that forward in the working world. Additionally, we had a pretty heavy work load within ECO and learning how to successfully balance it all in university was great practice for a good work-life balance outside of university.
How do you think studying Economics at UEA has helped you in your career?
I firmly believe that studying Economics at UEA positively influenced my career. The lecturers genuinely seemed to be there for us, and I feel this provided us with a greater level of confidence as we ventured into the ‘real world’ compared to other courses. Our lecturers consistently challenged our thinking. While tools like the discussion board seemed arduous at the time, they compelled us to confront not only the ideas of others but also our own preconceptions.
What is your favourite memory from studying in ECO?
Pub quizzes! They were by far my favourite memories from studying in ECO. They were such a great opportunity to get to know our lectureres and the other students in an informal setting that make classes more interesting because we knew that our lecturers really cared and wanted us to succeed.
Sum up ECO in one sentence!
The lecturers that work for ECO made all the difference in my education and I wouldn’t be nearly as successful now if it hadn’t been for all their help.