Toot Hill School

To be honest I work a few different jobs currently, mainly in music journalism and public relations. I’ll try and summarise a few of my jobs: Essentially I’m editor for a team of 10 or so music journalists who run a network of around 30 different independent music blogs. As editor, I have press releases sent through to me containing information from new bands or musicians that have released new music or have an album on the way. I then delegate these press releases out to my writers and ask for a certain number of articles written on the news returned to me by the end of the week. I founded my own music magazine where I also act as editor for team of music journalists and photographers. All in all I manage a team of around 40 contributors. I’m also regularly contacted by bands and musicians who wish to feature on the mag. Visit Soundwave Magazine to find out more. My advice to you... Jump at any opportunity you may come across which could help further your career, even if they are just internships or work experience roles. Where these roles may not pay initially, adding little bits of experience here and there will eventually mean you’ll have an extensive amount of experience that will collectively make you look that much better when it comes to applying for full-time jobs in future.

What are the key transferable skills you have developed through your working life? Confidence, punctuality, time management, being a team member, and understanding target audience. My advice to you... Sometimes where your path leads isn't where you think it will go, I never imagined I would working for a fire alarm company, I wanted to be sociologist, then an author, then an artist, at one point I nearly joined the RAF. It's always good to keep your options open, but don't worry too much about your entire future right now, embrace being at school and learn as much as you can.

What was your best decision/best opportunity you have had? Hard to pick one, so my top three are visiting New York with my university, working at London Fashion Week with a PR company, and my first launch event with In the Style. Each opportunity was an experience I have always dreamed of and a bit of a pinch me moment! What are the key transferable skills you have developed through your working life? The ability to communicate with different people effectively and stepping out of my comfort zone to reach out for what I want. Take everything as a learning experience whether you enjoy it or not.