What is your name?
Ellie Byrne

What is your job title?
Researcher in Philosophy at the University of York.

When were you at Lymm High School?
2007-2014

What is your best memory from school?
My best memory from school is probably my two years at Sixth Form. This was where academic possibilities really started to open up for me, and I started to understand what I was passionate about. As well as this, I really enjoyed the community and spending so much time with my friends (many of whom remain my closest friends today).

In terms of careers, what do you wish you knew back then?
I wish I knew that it didn’t matter so much – relax, it gets easier. This isn’t me saying it’s not important to do well and work hard – rather, it is an incredibly difficult time mentally, and this makes it very easy to become overwhelmed, anxious, and feel as though if you don’t perform 100% then, that it will ruin your life. This just isn’t how it works. Rarely is one’s career so linear – things take unexpected trajectories. I also wish I had more confidence: I had to work very hard to pass my GCSE maths; I was very anxious and insecure about it. That was at least 80% of the problem – not my ability. Don’t let your grades at school undermine your confidence in yourself and what you can bring to the table.

What is your job?
I work in the Department of Philosophy at the University of York. I’m just finishing my PhD there, so I spend most of my time writing my thesis at the minute. My research area is the philosophy of psychiatry and medicine – so I look at how philosophy can help inform how we understand, diagnose and treat mental and physical illnesses. I also work on a research project at the University called ‘Grief: A Study of Human Emotional Experience’ in which we hope to contribute to understanding of what it is like to grieve. Alongside research, I deliver lectures and seminars at the University.

Did you ever expect to have this career?
I always knew that I wanted to pursue a PhD, but I wasn’t sure of the details. It can take years of learning to fully understand what makes you tick. In school, I had quite disparate interests, and it took me a long time to figure out what unified all of those subject areas (and I am still making those connections). Not being sure what you’re interested in isn’t a sign of apathy. Pragmatically, schools have to split the subjects up. But this is somewhat arbitrary – everything is connected. So don’t put pressure on yourself to find out what ‘kind’ of subjects you want to pursue.

How did your studies help you to get into this career?
Above all, I needed the relevant A-levels to get onto my undergraduate degree (Philosophy at the University of York). I did the A-level in Philosophy and Ethics of Religion which was a great introduction to some aspects of philosophy. In a round-about way, all of my other A-levels were relevant to what I do now too. English Language and Psychology introduced me to thinkers like Chomsky and Freud (who I still study now), and German gave me the skills to read pieces of philosophy in their original language.

What advice would you give to Lymm High students who want to go into academia?
I would advise people who want to go into academia to have faith in themselves and their interests (even if they seem weird!), and try to find inspiration to keep you engaged. Expose yourself to people and ideas that you admire: watch lectures on YouTube, read books, send emails. This will help you in difficult times when you lose confidence (life is hard – this will happen sometimes).

What is your name?
Jess Hollowell

What is your job title?
Accounts administrator

When were you at Lymm High School?
Finished sixth form in 2013

What is your best memory from school?
Right now you’ll probably be thinking you can’t wait to get out of sixth form, but honestly you’ll look back and it will have been the best time of your life!

In terms of careers, what do you wish you knew back then?
That it doesn’t matter how long it takes you to work out what you want to do and not going to uni won’t be the end of the world! when I left sixth form I worked full time at Costa for a few years and made friends for life, it doesn’t matter what you choose to do as long as you’re happy!

What is your job?
I work in the accounts department for a Health & Safety Consultancy, I’ve worked there for 4 years.

Did you ever expect to have this career?
Definitely not. I chose not to go to uni and I’ve been in education ever since, from a teaching assistant course to a business admin apprenticeship to studying to be an accountant. I’m 25 and think I’ve finally found what I want to do!

How did your studies help you to get into this career?
Business studies definitely played a big part in my career choice

What advice would you give to Lymm High students?
You’ll hear a lot that accounts is boring but if you find a good place to work and enjoy who you work with you’ll love it.

What is your name?
Lucy Bennison

What is your job title?
Intern at Chester Zoo

When were you at Lymm High School?
2009-2016

What is your best memory from school?
My favourite memories from school would most likely be during Sixth Form mixing with everyone in the Hexagon. You don’t realise until you leave school how difficult it is to organise to see a big group of your friends once you are all following different paths.

What is your job?
I am currently doing an internship at Chester Zoo as a Rhino and hoofstock keeper after studying Zoology at the University of Bristol. My role is very hands on and a lot of hard manual work but it is definitely worth it when you read about the amazing conservation work the zoo contributes to.

Did you ever expect to have this career?
I was one of the lucky few who since a young age has always known the industry I wanted to work in. This made choosing the subject of zoology to study at university an easy one.

My degree was a requirement for where I am now as well as various work experiences I have undertaken over the years.

What advice would you give students who want to work in communications?
My advice to those thinking about the future now is study what you love and follow your passion because then work will never feel like a chore. I was lucky enough to always know the section I wanted to work in but if you don’t yet then don’t worry because the experiences you have will help you realise.

Work experience is the best way to realise what you enjoy or maybe hate. Even my small summer jobs helped me develop skills and rule out lines of work I wouldn’t want to be involved in.

What is your name?
David Marshall

What is your job title?
I’m a molecular and structural biology PhD student at the University of Manchester.

When were you at Lymm High School?
I finished Sixth Form at LHS in 2015.

What is your best memory from school?
I have loads of amazing memories from summer trips to Tyn y felin to our head of Sixth Form’s infamous beige suit…

In terms of careers, what do you wish you knew back then?
Thinking back, I wish I put a little less pressure on what my future would be. Even though I’ve taken a fairly linear route from school to uni to postgraduate study, there’s been plenty of opportunities to do loads of weird things, and lots of people I was at school with have found jobs outside of what they initially studied after school.

What is your job?
I spend most of my week in the lab running experiments to better understand what goes on inside the cells that we’re made up of. I do still have meetings with other scientists to try and figure out what I should do next if I get an interesting result or stuff isn’t working. It’s great working with other people who are passionate about the same thing as you! I really enjoy how self directed my research is and that I’m trusted to carry it out.

Did you ever expect to have this career?
I never really expected to end up going down this route. Initially, I expected I’d find a job in an office at a computer, but I never really figured out what this would be. Towards the end of my time at university this changed and I did several internships in labs over my summer breaks to see if research was what I really wanted to do. So far so good (fingers crossed!)

How did your studies help you to get into this career?
My studies were important in getting me into this area, but with practical science enthusiasm is always more important than book learning. There can be a lot of setbacks in lab work and you have to keep picking yourself up and dragging yourself back to the same experiment if it isn’t working so liking what you’re doing is important!

What advice would you give to Lymm High students who want to be a scientist?
My advice would always be to find out as much as you can about an area you’re passionate about. If you can get work experience in a sciencey area this might help you figure out what interests you, and there are some access courses for helping secondary age pupils get into science, like the Nuffield project Scheme and The Brilliant Club. Going to university is pretty much always a requirement for going on to postgraduate study, but it’s important not to think too far ahead and if you are as interested in science as you think you are after 3 or 4 years of undergraduate study, you can think about going on to a PhD or going into industrial science labs. Otherwise, as I remember my Chemistry teacher Mr Mogey always used to say, lots of employers think really highly of the skills you gain by studying a science, and it can open loads of different doors to lots of different areas!

What is your name?
Claudia Helen Wright

What is your job title?
British Army Officer in Royal Corps of Signals

When were you at Lymm High School?
At LHS from Sept 06 – July 13.

What is your best memory from school?
Year 13 prom was spectacular. In terms of actual school probably in Year 9 in RS when we had to write our own MLK ‘I have a dream speech’ and do our own version of Anne Frank’s diary: two projects that were exceedingly thought provoking and I still remember doing them today.

In terms of careers, what do you wish you knew back then?
Don’t be so fixated on going the tradition route of going to university and then starting a career. Try to figure out what’s best for you and don’t let what everyone else is doing affect your choices. You’re young you’ve got time to figure it out so don’t feel like you need to rush into things and if you don’t like the path you’re on yourself can change it.

What is your job?
Essentially project management in short. However my main priority is the welfare and career management of my soldiers to ensure that they get the best chance in their careers. Also I manage the equipment that we use to utilise it in the way that my commanders require.

Did you ever expect to have this career?
Was always interested in the military but never imagined that I’d commission and become an officer as I didn’t realise it was an option for me.

How did your studies help you to get into this career?
To be an officer you need to have basic levels of maths and English (GCSE C or equivalent) as well as a broad knowledge on current affairs, politics and international relations. My studies have set me up great for this particularly my interest in physics as this has aided me in understanding how the communications technology the army use work.

What advice would you give to Lymm High students who want a career in the military?
Be open minded about the opportunities that are available in the military, there is genuinely something for anybody. If you want to be an officer believe that you can do it. You don’t need to be the brightest or the fittest. You don’t need to have a degree. It’s a fantastic career leading soldiers and challenging yourself.

What is your name?
Mary

What is your job title?
Clinical Psychologist

When were you at Lymm High School?
2004-2011

What is your best memory from school?
It’s a tough one… probably lunchtimes with friends, art lessons

In terms of careers, what do you wish you knew back then?
That there are loads of different jobs out there and lots of different routes you can take. It’s okay to try different things and change your mind, there’s no rush

What is your job?
Clinical psychologists use their psychological knowledge and skills to help people with their mental and physical health. In my role I work with high risk offenders when they are released from prison, to improve their mental health and reduce reoffending. This involves carrying out psychological therapy with service users, working closely with probation and other agencies, and also supporting my team to understand and work with their clients in a psychologically informed way.

Did you ever expect to have this career?
Not when I was in school, though I was always interested in working in the criminal justice system. I learned about clinical psychology when studying at uni and it followed from there.

How did your studies help you to get into this career?
To be a clinical psychologist you need a psychology degree and then you train through a doctorate in clinical psychology. I couldn’t do my job without the skills and knowledge I developed through this, and learning is very much a continued part of the job even after you qualify. Studying in school allowed me to study psychology at uni and started my journey.

What advice would you give to Lymm High students?
Work hard and try to get some experience of working or volunteering with people. It’s a long (and competitive) journey to qualifying, try to enjoy the process, expect a few knock-backs, seize opportunities and learn what you can at each stage.

What is your name?
Josh Blackwell

What is your job title?
Full Stack Developer

When were you at Lymm High School?
2008-2015

What is your best memory from school?
Might have to be Sixth Form Christmas party in the Hexagon.

In terms of careers, what do you wish you knew back then?
What kind of tech jobs were available and what experience/technology/ programming languages were needed.

What is your job?
Edit websites and code.

Did you ever expect to have this career?
Yes, it’s very inline with what I’ve always wanted.

How did your studies help you to get into this career?
More so University helped as it was more specific to what I wanted to do, whereas GCSE/A Level gave me a general broad understanding to build on.

What advice would you give to Lymm High students who want to be a Developer?
Try and get a basic understanding early. There are lots of resources/videos out there to get started. But it’s never to late to start, I didn’t start coding until University.

What is your name?
Joshua Pearson

What is your job title?
I’m currently (starting in November) a graduate engineer for a large industrial site in Cumbria.

When were you at Lymm High School?
I was at LHS from between 2008 and 2015, and my best memory is probably meeting the people I became friends with, who I still keep in touch with today.

In terms of careers, what do you wish you knew back then?
I think something I wish I knew back then is that if you’re not going into research or a high level academic job, once you’ve got your first graduate job in your field it doesn’t really matter where you went to uni, and so not getting into your first choice isn’t the end of the world; even though it might seem like that at the time.

What is your job?
As for what I do in my job, I’m not at liberty to say over a potentially unsecure channel unfortunately.

Did you ever expect to have this career?
I did expect to have this career; because I did a specialised engineering degree in a sought-after field, it would be unusual if I didn’t end up in a role where this is relevant.

How did your studies help you to get into this career?
My A’ level studies helped in this career because through the right choices, I was able to study subjects that were necessary to enrol in my chosen course. I didn’t do as well in my A’ levels as I could have done, because I didn’t apply myself; I just thought I knew the subject. A’ levels are very much taught to the exam, so it’s important to know what the exam is asking of you. I got a 1st class degree at uni though, because of the lessons learned through my failures.

What advice would you give to Lymm High students who want to be an Engineer?
Don’t underestimate the value of a summer job/placement. I got my current job because I applied for a placement with the company after my first year at uni. And even if I didn’t get the job through that, the experience you get from being in a professional environment for a couple of months (I did two placements at two different companies) and the ability to gain those transferable skills puts you a step ahead of every other graduate without that experience.

What is your name?
Ruth Walshe

What is your job title?
Equal Rights Coalition Officer

When were you at Lymm High School?
2007-2014

What is your best memory from school?
To be totally honest, my favourite memory from school was when students spent the afternoon holding a protest on the school field. It was a great example of community organising, and of young people coming together for a common cause (whatever that may be!) and using their collective power to express an opinion or demand. When young people are able to realise what they can do when they organise together, it’s amazing to see. And now activism is how I make a living, so it’s not surprising that this is what stands out from my high school experience.

In terms of careers, what do you wish you knew back then?
That there are such a diverse range of careers and possibilities available to you, which don’t have to fit into a strict binary of academia and “success”. The ways that success is measured often based on cisheteropatriarchal and elitist norms, and ignoring them may be the best thing you ever do.

Life is long, and it doesn’t have to follow the progression that we are shown in popular media. Your life is your own, and you can do whatever you want with it.

What is your job?
I work in the Global team at Stonewall, meaning I focus on LGBTI rights across the world. My job is mostly focused on the Equal Rights Coalition, which is a coalition of 42 States who have committed to improving LGBTI rights, programming, and funding. This means I work with a network of activists across the world, as well as government officials from the UK and other countries, to work on progressing LGBTI rights and freedoms. This includes things like researching and writing reports, conducting surveys and consultations, running lobbying actions with Member State governments, briefing stakeholders here in the UK and abroad, and coordinating various groups of activists on strategies for action.

Did you ever expect to have this career?
When I was younger I thought I wanted to be a lawyer, but as I developed my understanding of the injustice inherent to the legal system and the institutions that uphold this, it became clear that I wanted to work in human rights, and develop a career in organising. At the moment I work for a large NGO, which isn’t exactly what I pictured, but I use my free time to organise in grassroots groups within my communities, and I am learning invaluable skills that I can apply to any future roles.

How did your studies help you to get into this career?
I studied Law with Spanish for my undergraduate degree, which gave me a basic understanding of the law and of legal terms, which I use in my job. Plus, my current job involves working with activists across Latin America, so everything I do (comms, research, reports, etc) is in Spanish and English – meaning the language part of my degree and the year I spent studying law in Spain is vital. My Master’s degree was in International Human Rights Law, and the knowledge and skills I gained from this are vital to my job role, as an in-depth knowledge of global human rights systems is necessary for a job such as mine.

What advice would you give to Lymm High students who want to be an activist?
Get involved in your local community. That can be a whole range of things: volunteering for a grassroots group, setting up a campaign about something you are passionate about, organising mutual aid in your area, or starting a reading group centred around a subject you care about. This kind of experience is incredibly useful if you want a career in activism, but it’s also going to do good and it will show you what needs to be done and what you want to work on.

Otherwise, my advice is read, read, read! Whatever area you want to work in will have swathes of organisers who have been doing the work for decades, and whose writing will prove vital in not only shaping your ideology, but also gaining the knowledge needed to get the jobs you’re interested in.

What is your name?
Dan Cordwell

What is your job title?
Graphic designer, founder and director of Visions Design Ltd

When were you at Lymm High School?
Over 25 years ago!

What does your job entail?
As founder and director of the company, my job allows me to explore a wide range of skills and practices. Visions Design Ltd have created entirely bespoke web solutions for a diverse range of businesses straddling a number of sectors. From country houses and wedding venues to an expanding children’s nursery chain, right through to complex e-commerce platforms and online comparison websites.

What’s the best bit?
The flexibility! I can do my job from anywhere in the world and at any time.

What’s the worst bit?
The paperwork (i.e. forecasting).

What advice would you give to students wanting to become a graphic designer?
Get your work out there. Have some visibility for your work on social media platforms, such as LinkedIn or Instagram, to establish an online portfolio for yourself which you can develop through your studies and after. Share what you are creating on any platform that suits you.

What further education did you take?
I studied a degree in Graphic Design. After graduating I worked at four different Manchester Graphic Design agencies before founding Visions Design Ltd. Most recently I have undertaken a Management Design course at Manchester Metropolitan University.

What advice would you give to students?
Find something you love and enjoy doing, and will continue to for a long time. My job does not feel like a day-to-day job for me. It’s what I have always loved doing and is what I have been passionate about since early on in my studies.

When were you at Lymm High School?
Over 25 years ago!

In terms of careers what do you wish you knew back then?
I wish I knew about the availability of apprenticeships in the creative careers that are on offer to you after studying A’ Levels, as a different option to the traditional university degrees. The opportunities to gain experience whilst learning on the job are so valuable and highly sought after by potential employers.

Did you ever expect to have this career?
When I was at school I just knew that I loved being creative. I did not necessarily have a clear vision as to what I would be doing 25 years later but I have the career I have today by continuing to follow my passion.

What is your name?
Samantha Drysdale

What is your job title?
At the minute: Duty Manager (bar and restaurant manager in NZ).

When were you at Lymm High School?
2009- 2013 (I think).

What is your best memory from school?
Erm, eating lunch and talking to student services😂

In terms of careers, what do you wish you knew back then?
That there are so many different and varied careers. You don’t need to be achieving for a doctorate or a law degree. C grades mean equally the same and there’s a dream job out there for everyone. The pressure shouldn’t be so hard.

What is your job?
I manage a restaurant and bar here in New Zealand. I am also a full time student, studying to be a teacher.

Did you ever expect to have this career?
I had this ‘career’ (more job) all through high school, so when I went travelling it was easy to slot into. I then got promoted and here I am. I then decided to study in 2020 . And I do both.

How did your studies help you to get into this career?
My studies didn’t. Well I guess maths did. But its the will of yourself, and you can do anything you want.

What advice would you give to Lymm High students who want to be a restaurant manager?
You have to love the people, listen to their stories and make a connection. You have to love food and drink and be knowledgeable in your field.

What is your name?
Ben Hammersley

What is your job title?
Litigation Executive (on the way to being a barrister).

When were you at Lymm High School?
Left Lymm in August 2012.

What is your best memory from school?
The friends that I made who remain some of the closest and dearest people to me. I also have incredibly fond memories of my form tutor Nicky Tomkins who was so supportive and caring with us.

In terms of careers, what do you wish you knew back then?
It is ok not to know exactly what you want to do and to flap about a bit whilst you figure it out. Enjoy the journey as much as the destination.

What is your job?
I run personal injury cases including conducting small claims trials in county courts across the country.

Did you ever expect to have this career?
Absolutely not, I left Lymm wanting to go into medicine.

How did your studies help you to get into this career?
Taught me the value of hard work and that if you put the effort in people like Mr Mogey will go to the ends of the earth to help you.

What advice would you give to Lymm High students who want to enter the Law profession?
Talk to as many people as possible and take every opportunity you can. The Bar of England and Wales for its many faults is by and large a very supportive profession and there will always be someone willing to help or even just listen.

What is your name?
Rachel Jones

What is your job title?
NHS Operating Department Practitioner

When were you at Lymm High School?
2005- 2012

What is your best memory from school?
Doing the Afri-twin project was the most amazing and eye opening experiences of my life. Working hard to raise awareness and funds for a township school in South Africa and later teaching in the school was my favourite memory of my life and from my school years.

In terms of careers, what do you wish you knew back then?
I wish I had looked into NHS careers in general. I looked at Paramedics courses, nursing and midwifery. There are many other great careers such as Radiography, speech and language therapy, dietetics and many more. I found my course Operating Department Practice through word of mouth. I wish it was something that had been shown to me earlier on as it is my dream job and now I have worked in operating theatres assisting with surgery and Anaesthetics. If I’d known this was an option earlier I would have applied straight away.

What is your job?
I care for patients having surgical procedures. I look after the patients whilst assisting the anaesthetist to give anaesthetic medications and monitor patient under anaesthetic throughout surgery. I can scrub up and assist the surgeon with the surgical procedure handing instruments and equipment. Finally I care for the patient in the recovery phase caring for them post anaesthetic ensuring they are comfortable and well following their operation.

Did you ever expect to have this career?
I looked at Midwifery and paramedics courses although they an amazing careers I knew I wanted to do a specialist role but I was unsure what exactly suited me. When I saw this course it was 100% me in every way and I definitely made the right decision.

How did your studies help you to get into this career?
I studied BTEC health science at Sixth Form. It was a fantastic course that gave me the foundations to what I do now. There are some things I remember from those studies I used in my degree at university and currently in my everyday job.

What advice would you give to Lymm High students who want to enter nursing?
I would highly recommend BSc Operating Department Practice at university. I studied at Edge Hill and it was brilliant. I was well supported through all of my study and learned on the job. Although it is a challenging job it is exceptionally rewarding and very very interesting. Every patient is different and you learn how to care for people at a vulnerable time in their life. After leaving Sixth Form 8 years ago I have experienced so much in my young life through my job and I feel very honoured to care for my patients.

What is your name?
Jess Wallace

What is your job title?
Police Constable

When were you at Lymm High School?
2006-2013

What is your best memory from school?
Sixth Form in the Hexagon!

In terms of careers, what do you wish you knew back then?
You don’t need to go to uni to get a good career. You just know what you want to do for a career, and work hard.

What is your job?
Specialist post of divisional mental health spoc, so spend days working with partner agencies reducing demand to police from people with mental health issues. Includes professionals meetings, visits in community, taking people to civil court etc as well as retaining ordinary police duties to respond to emergencies.

Did you ever expect to have this career?
No, applied by accident!

How did your studies help you to get into this career?
Studied law at A’ level that included criminal law.

What advice would you give to Lymm High students who want to be in the Police?
Apply to become a special first to get real taste of the job.

What is your name?
Isabel Troth

What is your job title?
Junior Account Executive

When were you at Lymm High School?
2009-2016

What is your best memory from school?
Reading out Blackadder scripts in Miss Tomkins’ English lessons, and playing my violin in Venice as part of the string group.

In terms of careers, what do you wish you knew back then?
Studying humanities is the best way to keep your options open whilst learning about the word around you. Also, I would have looked forward to university and my year working abroad a lot more – I had no idea how brilliant both experiences would be.

What is your job?
I am a Junior Account Executive at a tech communications agency in central London. I pitch stories and features to newspapers and magazines, monitor coverage for clients, carry out research tasks, compile editorial calendars, set meeting agendas, and assist with editorial activity.

Did you ever expect to have this career?
I developed my writing and editing skills at university in both my degree and the societies that I joined. During my year abroad, I worked at a communications agency in Barcelona. I enjoyed the fast-paced environment and variety of the work, particularly the writing and editing tasks, which consolidated my career choice.

What advice would you give students who want to work in communications?
Make the most of every opportunity you have to develop your writing, whether part of your degree, student journalism, or work experience. Learn to organise your time efficiently: you’ll be working on lots of different clients, so it’s really important that you can plan your day! Finally, make sure you research what area of PR/communications interests you, whether corporate, tech, consumer, or policy, as it’s such a broad field.

What is your name?
Heather Jones

What is your job title?
Programme Manager at Salix

When were you at Lymm High School?
2005-2012

What is your best memory from school?
Playing with band at Disneyland Paris in 2010! I was lucky to be part of two music tours to Paris & Strasbourg, creating great memories!

In terms of careers, what do you wish you knew back then?
Don’t panic about making the ‘right’ decisions, make the decisions that feel right and chose the jobs and courses that sound exciting!

What is your job?
I work for a non-departmental public body called Salix. We offer government funding to the public sector across England, Scotland & Wales to improve energy efficiency, reduce carbon emissions and lower energy bills.

Our role involves building close relationships with clients such as Councils, School, Universities and Hospitals to help them plan carbon reduction strategies and projects and how the funding we offer can best support them to reach their ambitious net-zero carbon targets. For example we will help our clients to apply for funding to replace lighting to more efficient LED’s, install solar panels or install heat pumps which are a relatively new technology that is a low-carbon alternative to gas fired boilers and will significantly reduce fossil fuel use for heating our buildings.

Did you ever expect to have this career?
No. I never had a long-term plan of what I expected from my career and have taken each step as it comes, focusing on what I enjoy and interests me. As I enjoyed and was good at science in school it seemed like a natural choice to apply for Medicine at University, however I think I knew that I was only really applying to Medicine as I liked the security of the clear career progression and wasn’t sure what else I could do. I made a last minute decision to also apply for Geography and ended up going to Newcastle University to study Geography, and have never looked back!

How did your studies help you to get into this career?
Definitely think of it as a step-by-step process. My A levels helped me to get into University, which has subsequently led to the role I have now. After my Geography Degree I was again a bit unsure of what the next steps would be. I worked in retail for 6 months and then went travelling to Thailand and Australia for 6 months – something I definitely recommend if you can save up and go and explore other countries & cultures! When I got back home I now knew I wanted to study a bit more and was interested in the environment and politics so started looking into Masters degrees. I chose Environmental Governance at the University of Manchester. Once I graduated with my Masters the job search began. I used some job sites that were recommended to us by University to find my current role. I had various part time jobs along the way which was a great way to get some experience in a working environment whilst I thought through what the next steps would be.

What advice would you give to Lymm High students who want to be a ‘Sustainability Professional’?
Sustainability and environmental consultancy and the renewable energy sector is predicted to be a huge area of growth over the next few decades. A national climate emergency has been declared and many organisations such as Councils, Universities and Companies have declared their ambitions to be net-zero before 2050. Therefore, there is a large demand now for professionals with the expertise to advise and support organisations to plan and deliver carbon management strategies. This is a great sector to work in and will be a key part of the recovery from coronavirus as well as helping us to create a healthier and more sustainable future. If you are interested in a specific sector I would suggest gaining a wider understanding of the issues, read around the subject, attend events, listen to podcasts and speak to people to learn from their experiences.

What is your name?
Rachel Littler

What is your job title?
Project Leader – Network Rail

When were you at Lymm High School?
2007 – 2014

What is your best memory from school?
When I was in year 12, I went on a school trip to India and it was amazing. It was really eye-opening, and was a part of the world I had never been to before.

In terms of careers, what do you wish you knew back then?
I felt pretty clueless about what I wanted to do as a career and I do wish I’d known a bit more about the variety of jobs that there are out there. I felt very focused on getting into University and didn’t really pay much attention to what came after that and it would have been good to be more aware of the different options that there are, for example employee sponsored degrees/apprenticeships that prepare you for certain careers. However, I don’t think it’s necessary to decide on a career whilst at school, and in fact some people never do settle on a ‘career’. Instead, I think it’s important to keep an open mind, explore what interests you, and take advantage of any opportunities that come your way.

What is your job?
I work as a Project Leader for Network Rail. Specifically, I am working on a programme that aims to change culture and behaviours across the organisation. As a Project Leader, I spend a lot of time making sure that programme controls and documentation are in place, for example producing reports, tracking finances, and monitoring risks. However, the beauty of project management is that you can get involved in all sorts of work, for example I am currently coordinating the production of a website to promote our Programme. You also end up talking to a lot of different people; as well as communicating regularly with my team, I have been able to meet and work with a variety of stakeholders throughout the business.

Did you ever expect to have this career?
When I left Lymm High, this isn’t a career path that I would have expected. I think I was leaning more towards a job in teaching or academia and, upon reflection, this is most likely because the education system was all I knew at that stage in my life. Now that I am working as a Project Leader I can definitely see how it suits certain aspects of my personality and work ethic, for example I am communicative, goal orientated, enjoy variety, and see myself as a bit of a generalist.

How did your studies help you to get into this career?
At A Level, I studied History, Geography and English Literature. When deciding what to study at university, I chose my favourite subject, History. I found it really interesting and rewarding and actually decided to study for a Masters degree after completing my Undergraduate studies. Whilst I didn’t end up pursuing a History related career, my degree was crucial for helping me get into this career, as I first began working for Network Rail as part of their graduate scheme. More broadly, my degrees have equipped me with a variety of skills that are useful in my career, such as time management, written communication, research skills, and analytical abilities.

What advice would you give to Lymm High students who want to be a Project Leader?
If you’re interested in getting into project management, you don’t need to do a specific project management degree, and there are many qualifications out there that you can do if it is something you decide to pursue. If you are heading to university, there are plenty of project management graduate schemes that you can apply for, and often these schemes will pay for you to do some sort of qualification. Graduate schemes are in high demand however, and there are limited spaces so this may not be an option for everyone. Another way to get into this field would be through an entry level job, such as a Project Management Assistant, where you may not necessarily need a specific qualification. I would definitely recommend getting any work experience that you can, for example whilst at uni I completed an internship during the summer with Birmingham City Council and found it invaluable for enhancing my CV.

What is your name?
Vickie Delaney

What is your job title?
Royal Air Force Pilot

When were you at Lymm High School?
From 2007-2013.

What is your best memory from school?
(Not in a bad way) Leavers Day, seeing everyone so happy together!

In terms of careers, what do you wish you knew back then?
I wish I had focussed more on the maths and science skills. Go and get more experience where possible. Don’t do essay subjects 😂

What is your job?
Currently work with the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, the Red Arrows, as the public relations officer whilst waiting to continue flying training.

Did you ever expect to have this career?
No!! It was my absolute dream come true!

How did your studies help you to get into this career?
Studies helped throughout initial officer training and having the ability to focus and study!

What advice would you give to Lymm High students who want to be a pilot?
My advice for anyone wanting to be a pilot, work hard and focus on raw skills such as basic maths. You need 2 A’ levels but they accept most so do something you enjoy!

What is your name?
Mark Napier-Hemy

What is your job title?
Sales and Marketing Manager

When were you at Lymm High School?
2005-2012

What is your best memory from school?
Interhall football!
In terms of careers, what do you wish you knew back then?
I wish I knew more about the different options open to me rather than just university following Sixth Form. Also, I would’ve liked for IT to be more involved and included in each subject as it is in real world working environments.

What is your job?
I manage a sales team for a glass processing company.

Did you ever expect to have this career?
Nope!

How did your studies help you to get into this career?
I learned from a wide spread of different subjects, none of which specific to my job but all have contributed in their own small way.

What advice would you give to students who want to work in sales and marketing?
Work smart in all subjects, but more importantly, carry on with team sports and other extra-curricular activities. With a job like mine, it’s more about how rounded you are as a person rather than any specific knowledge you have about a certain subject. Being a positive, forward-thinking person who works well as part of a team comes first, having a good general understanding of English/Maths/Business/IT helps. You can learn the rest later!

What is your name?
Thomas Betts

What is your job title?
Strategic Projects at Novo Property Group

When were you at LHS?
2004-2011

What is your best memory from school?
Hard to choose a single one, many great memories with the friends I made at Lymm. The History/Politics trip to the USA in 2009 was a fantastic experience.

In terms of careers, what do you wish you knew back then?
I was always under the impression that once you’d chosen a career path/industry, it would be very difficult to change to something completely different. However, I haven’t found this to be the case, its far more fluid, and employers (particularly of small companies) place far more value on the qualities of the person, and not necessarily on the specific experience.

What do you do in your job?
I work for a property developer, and look after projects from purchase through to the start of construction on site, which includes co-ordinating planning applications, community liaison and technical design.

Did you ever expect to have this career?
Whilst at school no. I didn’t leave Lymm with a clear idea of what I wanted to do. I went on to study Economics at the University of Manchester and knew that degree was appealing to broad range of employers, so I felt I had my options open.

How did your studies help you to get into this career?
I always had great support from the teachers at Lymm. They always went way beyond what was required to help me with both studies and any personal issues. They not only helped me get good grades, but helped bring me out of my shell and gave me more self-confidence.

What advice would you give to students?
Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.

I’ve been fortunate enough to sample a few interesting jobs over the last couple of years, and the quote above is true. Getting out of bed in the morning is 100x easier if you’re enthusiastic about what you do, and that enthusiasm will be clear to any potential employers, and they love to see it. Every job I’ve had was offered to me over a cup of coffee rather than a formal interview. If there’s something you love, and you live and breathe it, the career will soon follow.

What is your name?
Mollie Crewe

What is your job title?
PE Teacher

When were you at Lymm High School?
2007-2014

What is your best memory from school?
Everything to do with PE and the La Manga trip!

In terms of careers, what do you wish you knew back then?
Maybe more about teaching career!

What is your job?
Teach PE to 11-17 year olds! Practical and theory!

Did you ever expect to have this career?
No, I knew I wanted to do something to do with sport which is why I chose to do sport & exercise science at Uni but then it was after this that I decided I wanted to go into teaching!

How did your studies help you to get into this career?
Looking back at my PE teachers at Lymm they inspired me to go on and be a PE teacher. Sport & exercise science helped me gain further knowledge to become a teacher before I went on to do my teaching degree which helped me massively and I gained so much experience!

What advice would you give to Lymm High students who want to be a PE Teacher?
If you enjoy PE and take part in it regularly I wouldn’t hesitate to research teaching. It’s the best thing I ever did. I love my job, and it’s so rewarding seeing kids being able to do a skill or a particular sport that they have progressed in because of the way I’ve taught them. The main thing is that they enjoy it and have fun!

What is your name?
Jess Hudson

What is your job title?
Teaching Assistant in a mental health hospital.

When were you at Lymm High School?
2008-2015

What is your best memory from school?
I have many lovely memories throughout my time at school. I enjoyed Sixth Form and the Monday morning free period I would have with my friends where we would catch up from the events of the weekend 😂

In terms of careers, what do you wish you knew back then?
Experience definitely helps you to know what you want to do with your future. Don’t expect to know what you want to do straight away.

What is your job?
I work with children 13-18 who are in hospital due to having mental health issues and I help them to continue with their school work and support them in working towards getting better as a whole. I keep them busy to keep their minds off other things!

Did you ever expect to have this career?
Not really, I had an interest in mental health but didn’t have anything planned further than that.

How did your studies help you to get into this career?
By doing psychology in Sixth Form it got me a place at Sheffield Hallam doing psychology and I went to this hospital on my placement and then got a job here after finishing university.

What advice would you give to Lymm High students?
Work hard and if you get the opportunity to gain experience in something you find interesting then go for it, you never know what might come from it.

What is your name?
Hannah Shepherd

What is your job title?
Trainee Primary School Teacher

When were you at Lymm High School?
Did my GCSE’s in 2015, A levels in 2017

What is your best memory from school?
Hiding behind the pavilion during the mile run 🤣 or having so much freedom in Sixth Form.

What is your job?
I’m in my final year of uni. I’m about to start a full time placement in a year 6 class in Liverpool.

Did you ever expect to have this career?
I always wanted to work with children, but was unsure whether I wanted to be a teacher or a nurse.

How did your studies help you to get into this career?
Sixth Form prepared me well to go to uni. It taught me how to manage my time efficiently during free periods.

What advice would you give to Lymm High students who want to go into teaching?
It’s challenging, but so rewarding! I’d never change what I’m doing now, and I can’t wait to qualify this year.