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Why did you choose to study at NTU?

It was my college tutor Dan Bown (Met at North Lindsay College in Scunthorpe) who recommended the University to me. I was torn between NTU and an unconditional offer from Salford, but he couldn’t sing the university’s (& lecturers) praises high enough.

What did you learn – both inside and outside of lectures?

You get out what you put in: this isn’t just academically. This is relationships, pursuing your aspirations and even hobbies! University is a juggling act, we all know that but, scheduling time for myself was just as important as meeting friends and exam prep. I found walks to the Swan Sanctuary just outside Southwell really helped my mental health and I could decompress during those trickier 3rd year terms!

What have you been up to since graduating? 

Growth! I was deflated when I was completing agency work in a local warehouse, thinking I’d completely wasted 3 years pursuing a degree to be earning minimum wage. I worked my socks off and applied for a maternity cover role in the Transport department which progressed to a full-time position, worked my socks off more and caught the attention of the Finance Department. Long story short, I’ve progressed though 3 roles within my current company: Warehouse Labourer, Transport Operator, Finance Admin and currently an Assistant Finance Manager.

During this time, I have completed lots of training courses! ADR (transporting dangerous goods) training, tachograph training, Level 3 AAT Assistant Accountant Apprenticeship and currently studying my Level 7 CIMA Accountancy / Taxation Professional Apprenticeship.

What does your current day involve?

I look after the accounts of a multi-million pound contract for a large, well-known company. Day-to-day this involves managing a team of 2 Finance Assistants, advising and helping problem solve various issues. I’ve been taking part in budgeting for 2025, customer meetings & presentations (Yes, those presentation assignments were useful!), forecasting for the upcoming months, completing account reconciliations at month end and decision-making processes such as new continuous improvement ideas.

What attracted you to this field?

Initially, money and practicality of the job, nice hours and just a stones throw from my home. The more I’m in this role, the more I realise I love numbers and probably the reason I loved Mel’s lectures on Statistics. I love that surprisingly in accounting, no two days are the same. One day I could be asked to do basic investigations on why costs are increasing and the next day I could be asked to complete a 3-year analysis on utilities/labour/packaging.

What have been the highlights and biggest challenges of your career so far?

Hmm, biggest challenge, when I just became Assistant Finance Manager and my manager handed in his notice. I had to run the finance side of the contract solo for 4 months, whilst learning my role and training a new colleague to take up my old role. Lots of multitasking, long nights, elevated stress but as a graduate we’re already used to all those pressures – no biggie! I managed to keep my cool and run the finances and customer calls effectively.

What are your plans for the future?

I’ll actually be going on maternity leave before March 2025, so I’ll get a nice long break (or not as some people kindly like to remind me) but when I come back, I plan to continue my apprenticeship and broaden my experience to help my application if a more senior role becomes available. I’m not sure if that will satisfy my appetite for growth, who knows, Finance Manager, Senior Finance Manager, Finance Director – even I don’t know when I’ll say enough is enough!

If you had a time machine, what would you go back and tell yourself at NTU?

Don’t be so hard on yourself! The world’s already tough as it is, just believe that you’ve got this and stop setting your sights on the end game. Focus on smaller, more achievable short-term goals rather than the end game, those little wins will be all that sweeter and a step in the right direction. Try not to doubt and second guess yourself, you probably know more than you realise! Don’t be afraid to ask questions, the more questions you ask, the closer you are to understanding, and then you’re unstoppable. Knowledge is the best weapon you can have and if you’re not slightly out of your comfort zone, you’re not heading in the right direction. We don’t progress by doing things we’re comfortable with. Tackle that presentation – what’s the worst that’s going to happen? Everyone’s probably too busy stressing about their own presentation to notice anyways!

Finally, is there anything else you’d like to share with our student and alumni community?

Be kind to others, but more importantly be kind to yourself! Don’t beat yourself up if you don’t get that job in the sector, you’ve spent years working hard for. Your degree is universal, it shows that you have a wonderful mind, that can achieve brilliant things!