Early Career Aspirations and Journey
When I left university, my goal was to become a teacher. I completed a degree in English with the intention of pursuing a PGCE to qualify for teaching. However, due to unforeseen circumstances, the work experience I needed to complete the qualification fell through, which meant I had to rethink my career path.
This unexpected turn led me to explore other opportunities, and I found myself taking on various administrative roles. Though accidental, these roles eventually guided me towards a new direction, and I ended up working for The Growth Company.
Career Journey and Experiences
I started my career in customer service with Southeastern Railway, where I spent six months learning to manage various customer interactions and resolve challenges. While I gained valuable skills, I realised this role wasn’t my long-term fit.
Next, I travelled to Zambia for three months as part of the International Citizens Service (ICS) Volunteering program. Working closely with local communities on development projects pushed me out of my comfort zone and helped me develop practical skills in project management, monitoring, and evaluation.
Following this experience, I took a temporary role at SGS as an Advisory Assistant, specialising in product labelling for supermarkets. In this position, I coordinated communication between teams and ensured processes ran smoothly. This role was crucial in helping me secure my first position at The Growth Company, as the skills I developed in managing complex processes made me a strong candidate.
First Role at The Growth Company
My first role at GC was as an Assessment Project Coordinator for the Centre for Assessment Ltd, a leading certification body that provides audits and assessments to thousands of clients both nationally and internationally. I began this role in January 2019 and held it for just over two years.
Initially, I applied for a different position at GC, but during the interview process, a team member recognised my potential and encouraged me to apply for other entry-level roles. This led to my offer as an Assessment Project Coordinator.
While I originally thought my career would take a more project management-focused path, my previous experience at SGS had shown me that I excelled at the technical elements, understanding how processes worked, managing information, and ensuring things ran smoothly.
Second Role at The Growth Company
My second role at GC came about when the previous Certification Manager approached me in early 2021. She informed me that a position was opening in her team and asked if I would be interested in applying for it. She had noticed my ability to understand processes and how things worked, and she believed that the role would be a great fit for me. Encouraged by her confidence in my skills, I applied for the role and started in February 2021.
I held this position for three years, during which I continued to develop my expertise. The opportunity allowed me to take on more responsibility and deepen my understanding of certification processes. My performance in this role eventually led to my promotion to Certification Manager in February of this year.
In my current role, I manage a team of two people. I’ve transitioned from being part of the team to leading it, and I’ve found this to be a natural progression. Even before stepping into the managerial position, I was responsible for training new team members, something I’ve always enjoyed. Now, as a manager, I continue to support and develop my team while overseeing the broader certification operations. The leadership experience has been rewarding, and I enjoy the challenges and opportunities that come with this role.
GC is a Great Place to Work for Me
One of the key reasons I enjoy working at GC is the strong sense of team collaboration. Additionally, GC has recognised my potential, and this has been reflected in the roles I've been offered. Both positions I have moved into after my initial role at GC came as a result of others seeing my capabilities and encouraging my development. It feels great to be supported by colleagues who believe in my potential and to be given opportunities for growth. It's clear that the work I do is valued and appreciated, which makes it an even better experience.
To anyone looking to join GC I'd say keep an open mind about the opportunities that come your way. At GC, you’ll discover what you’re good at and what aligns with your strengths. The environment is very supportive, so be open to growth and new possibilities, you’ll find the right fit for you.
What Stood Out for Me at GC
One standout aspect is the effort GC has made to improve staff well-being, especially since the pandemic. There's a noticeable commitment to ensuring employees feel supported both personally and professionally. I’ have been here 5 and a half years now and I've felt supported every step of the way!