careers
interviews
The They Did I Can too Careers interview series will inform and encourage you. The interviewees are Black, Asian or Mixed Race, they talk about their education path and how they got to where they are in their journey so far, giving useful insights, hints and tips. We’re hoping these interviews will help inform your choices.
Click here to leave any comments or queries.
Jules
Label Assistant
Meet Jules, a Label Assistant with a record company. Jules mentions how important volunteering has been for her. Take a listen to her journey from K Pop DJ to Hip Hop – well sort of!
“…every artist release we get given by the label side I have to listen to their track and have to pick a particular 15 second segment…”
Amara
Photo Producer
Meet Amara, who is a Photo Producer. During the interview Amara talks about the importance of networking.
‘…I’ll be working on a brief for a photographer once they say yes I’m available I’ll send them that brief - this is the story, these are the details…’
Vanessa
Trainee Graphics Operator
Meet Vanessa who is a Trainee Graphics Operator. During the interview Vanessa talks about being bullied whilst at school (which is never OK) and gives some really valuable advice.
‘…I’m in the graphics team, we are the middlemen between the designer and the printing company …’
CHEF ISRAEL
ENTREPRENEUR AND BUSINESS OWNER
Meet Israel a Chef, Entrepreneur and Business owner. Listen to his inspiring journey from East London school boy to working at exclusive restaurants in central London to founding his own private dining company Chef Secrets!
“Stay focused…if you have a dream I don’t believe it’s a dream anymore, it’s reality to me - it’s what I want, it’s what I’m gong to get…”
Find Israel on Instagram @chefsecrets
Lena
Account Manager at a PR Agency
Meet Lena who is an Account Manager at a PR Agency.
‘..the main part of my job is managing brands social accounts for their day to day content and also wider activities…’
Jessica
Technology Consultant
Meet Jessica, who is a Technology Consultant. During the interview Jessica talks about the importance of having work/life balance.
‘…in terms of a typical day it’s completely different, some days I’m working with my team, other days I have client workshops…’
SYLVIA
BESPOKE FASHION DESIGNER AND BUSINESS OWNER
Meet Sylvia a Bespoke Fashion Designer, Fashion Stylist and Founder of the clothing brand Preby London. Sylvia’s had an interesting career journey as she started working for herself as soon as she left Uni. Listen to Sylvia’s fantastic interview below.
“I do know that when I was at university you’re taught all the technicals, what they don’t actually teach you is the experience of doing things by yourself…that’s something I learnt very quickly…”
Sylvia’s website Prebylondon
Instagram @PREBYLONDONer it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Naomi
Membership officer/Administrator
Meet Naomi who works as a Membership Officer. During the interview Naomi mentions NGOs, which stands for Non-Governmental Organisations, and the UN, which stands for the United Nations, and CRM stands for Customer relationship management. Naomi mentions important career considerations that we should all think about when applying for jobs.
“…you need to ask questions to determine - is this really the right fit for me…”
NICOLE
FREELANCE EMBROIDERY ARTIST AND DESIGNER
Meet Nicole, a Freelance Embroidery Artist and Designer who describes herself
‘…as a messy brash and disruptive embroidery artist who always aims to fearlessly champion the voices of womxn’
Nicole wants to
‘…change the view of embroidery - that it’s approachable and freeing’
Listen to Nicole drop gem after gem!
Find Nicole on Instagram @thatsewnicole
Tyra
Professional Dancer, Fitness Instructor and Personal Trainer
Meet Tyra who is a Professional Dancer, Fitness Instructor and Personal Trainer. During the interview Tyra mentions The Brit School which is a performing arts school. Tyra drops gem after gem.
“Patience…and really really taking in the process is something I’d really recommend…”
Chevy
Photographer and Filmmaker
Meet Chevy who is a Photographer and Filmmaker. Chevy talks about how his hobby became his career.
“..bringing people’s ideas to life or my ideas to life and seeing the reaction afterwards…”
Ruth
SEN Teacher and Entrepreneur
Meet Ruth who works as a SEN Teacher (Special Educational Needs). During the interview Ruth touches on a sensitive subject, if you do need emotional support please click here for advice and information.
“Write some goals….just have something to work towards but keep on working…”
Ngozi
Pharmacist
Meet Ngozi who works as a Pharmacist. Ngozi mentions important information about the different routes to becoming a Pharmacist.
“If you were not able to achieve the A level grades required to enter into pharmacy there is an option to either do a BTEC……also there’s an option of...”
Anika
Professional Dancer and Teachers assistant
Meet Anika, a Professional dancer and Teachers assistant with vulnerable primary school age children. Anika talks about the realities of being a professional dancer, giving really insightful advice. (Apologies for the occasional background noise),
‘…every girl in there’s in black, in shorts and a top and you have to find a way to make sure that you stand out - out of 600 or 700 girls…’
Steph
Information Risk Analyst
Meet Steph, who works as an Information Risk Analyst. Steph speaks about the application process for her employers Graduate Scheme, giving really useful and practical advice. (During the interview Steph mentions that she’s the Wellness Champion at her workplace).
“,,,so don’t be too caught up writing the best answer because that’s not really what they’re looking for…”
Zara
A redeployed Intensive Care Unit Nurse
Meet Zara who is a Surgical Nurse redeployed to the Intensive Care Unit to care for patients with Covid-19. She gives really useful advice about the different routes you can take to become a Nurse.
‘…I love seeing patients recover from what they first present with…and being a part of that process…’
Ravi
Clinical Trial Coordinator
Meet Ravi who is a Clinical Trial Coordinator with the NHS. Although Ravi said that she didn’t attend the best secondary school she didn’t let her school’s reputation affect her career goals. Listen to the practical steps she took to motivate herself. Ravi also speaks about the importance of being open minded and flexible when choosing subjects.
‘…so I think that’s quite important, having that flexibility as well…if something else really interests you, you shouldn’t be afraid to go for it…’
Ayesha
Japanese teacher
Meet Ayesha who works as a Japanese Teacher and Assistant Head of Year at a secondary school. During the interview Ayesha gives us some great language learning tips.
“…the experience of being able to study the language and also kind of immerse myself in the culture for a whole year was something that I found extremely beneficial…”