How did you first hear about Coach Café? 

Through an email from the Arts Employability Newsletter! (admittedly I don't always read them but when I saw Coach Café being something I wanted to do for my career, I knew I should sign up)

Can you describe what the event was like? How was it structured?

The first 10 minutes or so was a staff member just explaining how the event would go and what to expect, then we were put into breakout rooms with 3-4 other students and a coach three times (so I met Joshua Bates, Hannah Dummett and Rosie Cockroft). Within the 15 minute time frame that you get to meet each person in the breakout room they explained their job role, how they got into their job, and sometimes a little bit about their experience at the Uni of Sheffield.  The expectation is that we all have our cameras on and ask any questions we like! Once that was over we had a 10 minute break, and then we went into the more informal part of the event where we could choose what ‘room’ we went into, where there would be 2-5 coaches and several students in the room this time. We could ask questions and the coaches sometimes compounded on each other's answers which was super insightful to see how various jobs in the same industry operate. The options for rooms were Civil Service and Policy, Overseas Government, Infrastructure and Sustainability, Charity, and Education. There were plenty of options so it was hard to choose but there was enough time to go to them all. 

What kind of alumni or professionals did you get to meet?

As well as the above mentioned, I also met Ellie Phillips who works in the Ministry of Defense, Eileen Adino-Munoz, working as a policy advisor, Dan Steer, Chris Baker, Aparna Ashok a lead policy advisor and Adewole Lawal.

What kind of questions did you ask the alumni?

How are the non-academic skills I learn at university helpful in your job?

"They can sometimes be more important than you realise because you are learning the soft skills that a company can’t necessarily teach you, such as time management if you juggle a sport and Uni work, or team leadership etc." (Chris Baker)

What has been the biggest difference between working abroad in Belgium for a private company versus in the UK for the BBC?

"When I was working for the private company it was easier to push changes through as a policy adviser, however being a policy adviser for the BBC is more rewarding because I feel like I have a more purposeful job with them"  (Josh Bates)

What's your advice for job applications?

• "Show passion and show that you love the company!" (Josh Bates)

• "Tie everything to their principles and goals as a company. Make each application bespoke" (Hannah Dummet)

• "Ask yourself if i did something what was the impact of it?" (Eileen Adino-Munoz)

• "Use the STARR method, and focus on the Action and Result the most, why and how, what were the consequences to it, and try to link to data results, quantitative or qualitative." (Aparna Ashok)

How can I make my ‘mark’ in the office as a junior, especially being someone who hasn’t worked in an office before?

"Make the most of being a newbie by asking questions, and don't be afraid to do so because now is the time to make an error, receive feedback and develop." (Hannah Dummett)

What makes people stand out in the job and application process?

"Make sure you appear interested! Reference the company in your cover letter, ask the interview panel their experiences of working for the company. Asking them what’s the best and worst part of working there shows interest." (Hannah Dummett)

How far does voluntary experience go?

• "Volunteering can show keenness and soft skills like leadership." (Eileen Adino-Munoz)

• "Volunteering shows a passion, giving up your time for a cause is a good look." (Rosie Cockroft)

• "Something that might seem insignificant will maybe mean a lot more to an interviewer, don’t underestimate things just because it sounds simple, going into detail how it helps you is good." (Rosie Cockroft)

What's one piece of advice you took away from Coach Café?

Grab any experience you can, small or big, voluntary or paid, something you’re interested in or something you are new and unsure of, but show passion when you do it! A second one because I couldn't pick, it’s less job related but very validating, was that a panic masters degree isn't always necessary. Going into work and deciding what I want to do first is a great way to know if I want to do a masters, and putting off work for one more year isn’t always helpful. Sometimes I should get stuck into a job role and see if my role could be developed with a masters degree.

Did the experience change how you think about your career path or future goals? 

Yes! It has helped me realise that direct work experience isn’t always what they’re after especially just coming out of university but actually the passion and transferable skills you have for the role. It made me ask can I reflect on the experiences I have had and what did I gain from it that will help me develop and improve myself? As well as recognising that the coaches didn't know themselves sometimes where their career would end up, but actually the route to their role they are in now was a rewarding one and they wouldn’t have changed it. I also think as a side note it was just super comforting to know that the alumni coaches were not only in my position once but they also were giving up their free time to help give advice and nurture students who are unsure (or very sure!) about careers in govt and charities, it felt like a supportive event to ask any questions with people that I would feel comfortable asking for advice on LinkedIn or for a coffee chat.