Briefly, could you tell us about your background and career before joining King's?
Before coming to the UK, I was an administrator at a small higher education company in New Zealand. I started working there after school and quickly enjoyed making money, so I left school a year early to work full time and save up to move. When I came to the UK, I accidentally signed up with a temping agency who work closely with higher education providers – I didn’t exactly have a 'career plan' at that time, but I’m glad about how it turned out. Through them I got an interview at King's, was offered the role right away and started as a Placements Officer in the Physiotherapy team.
When did you join the Faculty?
I started in Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery & Palliative Care (NMPC) as maternity cover for the Programmes Manager role in June 2021. I had really enjoyed my time in NMPC, so I was glad when it became available permanently, and luckily, I was successful at the interview. I gained a lot of experience, knowledge, and confidence while in that role, so, again, when the Senior Programmes Manager role came up, I of course applied for that too.
What was it like moving roles within the Faculty, what support and encouragement have you had from colleagues and managers?
Everyone I’ve worked with here has been incredibly supportive and encouraging – managers, my team, academics, and other colleagues. In the interest of honesty, the first time the Senior Programmes Manager role came up I applied despite knowing I wasn’t ready for it. Thankfully, the panel recognised that, and it gave me an opportunity to understand what I needed to bridge that gap and allowed me to work closely with a great manager who I have learned a lot from.
Within the Hub everyone is very positive about progression. There are brilliant people in the team, and though you want to keep them within the team, sometimes there isn’t an opportunity to do so, so it’s about helping them grow and supporting them when they do need to seek those opportunities elsewhere, which I think all the line managers in the Hub are really good at.
What would you say to someone looking to develop and grow within King's but unsure about where to start?
Keep an eye out for any developmental opportunities – training, projects, process improvements. And make sure you keep note of examples when you do get to work on something new – it makes a huge difference when you get to application stage and have to remember what you’ve done. Also, don’t ever be put off by a role because you think someone else might be more suitable – everyone has a fair chance when it comes to interviewing. If you’re interested in the role, apply!
What is your favourite thing about working at King's?
The people. Everyone is so easy to talk to and I’ve made a lot of genuine friends working at King’s. I could also talk for hours about how much the remote working policy has benefitted me. Being able to go home and spend time with my family while still working has been amazing and I owe so much to anyone who played a part in creating the policy. I also wouldn’t have been able to do that if I didn’t work in such an excellent team who are make it easy for me to work abroad.
What do you do with your time outside of work?
After a long day, nothing beats watching some form of reality tv about rich people yelling at each other.
Quick fire:
Favourite place at King's?
If I’m honest, it’s the Guy’s staff bar! It recently reopened post-Covid, and I can’t wait to go back. A more polite answer would be the churchyard garden next to our office - James Clerk Maxwell Building (if that counts).
One thing you couldn't go a day without?
Listening to music.
Hidden talent?
I don’t like to brag but I am weirdly good at Dobble!