On Wednesday 15 March 2023 we welcomed two alumni to an event highlighting careers with a DHPA degree. The first of two events in the semester, here we focused on the transferability of a DHPA degree to a number of sectors. We were delighted to be joined by Rebecca, who graduated with a degree in English and History and now works for the Civil Service in the Department for Education, and Lauren, an English-Art History graduate now working as a senior content marketing manager for a content performance and digital PR firm.
Both speakers began by talking about their time at university, what they enjoyed about their degree and what they gained from their studies. Rebecca noted that her skills in reviewing evidence and discussing implications allowed her to write a domestic abuse strategy when working for a local council as part of the National Graduate Development Programme. From her History degree she was able to bring a new perspective to the team, specifically focusing on the use of culture to fill social care gaps. Lauren talked about the data handling skills she developed from Art History as well as the ability to remove emotion from decision making and view a project from a client perspective. Communication forms a huge part of her current job and she credits her time at university with teaching her not only how to adapt her communication skills but also how to appreciate the craftsmanship of others.
Both Lauren and Rebecca talked about the general administration skills that you develop at university through managing your time, meeting deadline and managing a busy email inbox, aided by the extra-curricular activities they undertook alongside their academic programmes. Rebecca volunteered with different organisations whilst she was a student which allowed her to upskill in communication, critical review, information processing, teamwork and giving feedback, not to mention gaining an insight into working within charities. Lauren worked part-time throughout her degree which she credits with teaching her how to work efficiently and manage her time, be reliable and maintain resilience when working challenging shifts. Alongside that, she also worked to develop her personal brand, keeping a blog and upskilling with digital marketing courses to help her get a job after graduation.
Rebecca and Lauren both worked in the InfoHub at the University of Aberdeen after they graduated, which they agreed gave them time to adjust to life after finishing their studies and gave them experience of working with people. Despite being settled in their current job roles, they each shared the unexpected twists and turns their career journeys had taken so far and the setbacks or tough decisions they had had to make. The key takeaway from these stories was to remember that everyone is on their own path in life. Try not to compare yourself to anyone else but be adaptable to changing circumstances and new opportunities.
This advice was relevant to both sectors Rebecca and Lauren work in. Rebecca encouraged students to consider HEO or SEO roles in the Civil Service as an alternative to the Fast Stream and to look at communications as a starting point. Underpinning every element of policy development, a job in comms can expose you to many different areas of work across the entire government. Rebecca shared her top tips for working in the Civil Service, including looking beyond the Fast Stream, and to consider HEO or SEO roles. She also shared details of her recent trip to the Middle East, where she escorted educational representatives looking to forge partnerships with the Middle East, proving that there are opportunities to travel with work outside the Diplomatic Service.
Lauren noted that it is easy to become complacent in a job role, so it’s important to keep learning, especially in digital marketing when you need to be on top of trends and using platforms/creating content in your own time. It is a commitment. She encouraged all students to know their worth, not to settle, to treat interviews as a conversation and to remember to have fun in a job. When applying for roles, Lauren encouraged students to not be intimidated by job titles, to break down the responsibilities and not undersell yourself.
The last point made by both speakers concerned mentors and the importance of seeking support throughout your career journey, learning from others and taking time to work on professional development. A final message was to remember that everyone has something they can teach you, so be interested and ask questions.
