12 to watch: five years on

Providing art therapy for children

Shenaid Tapper (BSc Planning and Economics, 2015)

'The summer after graduating I travelled around Central America before starting my graduate job. I have mostly worked in change management and currently work at the Bank of England. Right now, I am project managing a piece of work to explore how to digitalise the way we write and implement regulatory policy.

At University, I loved volunteering and I was keen to continue it. I am a trustee of the Araba Scott Children’s Foundation, which aims to improve the lives of children in Jamaica through art, education and culture. I have supported the build of our first safe haven in Jamaica, implemented art therapy sessions and organised fundraising events.

My biggest challenge was realising that my first graduate job was not right for me. A lot of importance is placed on just getting that first job, but it is even more important to ensure the role aligns with your values. Although it was hard giving up a job at a great company, I learnt to play to my strengths and find purpose in what I’m achieving.'

Supporting patients and being true to myself

Joseph Alderman (Intercalated BMedSc, 2014; MBChB Medicine, 2015)

'I'm almost half-way through my postgraduate medical training as an anaesthetist and intensive care doctor. I work at the QE Hospital, just a stone's throw from the Medical School. Alongside my clinical work, I've been appointed as a medical researcher. My research is focused on critically ill patients – though this has been on hold for the last few months as I've been responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Outside of work, I've taken up cycling and my partner and I have bought a house where we live with our three-legged cat. My proudest achievement since leaving University was coming out as gay back in 2016. Even in today's enlightened times, it was hugely challenging – but doing so has enabled me to live happily and authentically.

The best advice I've been given is to carry on working hard even after leaving university. Continuing to learn takes a lot of effort when you're working full time, but it'll put you in a much better position later in your career.'

Helping children find a home

Hannah Bevington (BA Childhood, Culture and Education, 2015; MA Social Work,2017)

'After I graduated, I gained an MA in Social Work. My proudest achievement in the last five years has been working in my dream job as a social worker, making a difference to the lives of children and young people. I have achieved permanency for many children through Special Guardianship Orders or adoption and I support children and young people who are fostered and looked after. I love the variety and the challenge that every day brings and, whilst it can be tough, I wouldn't want to be anywhere else.

I've just bought my first home in Shropshire. I have travelled quite a bit and gained a few new hobbies (such as archery) which is important with such a stressful job to help maintain a good work life balance!

My biggest challenge has been learning and growing as a practitioner working within the complex political landscape that has been created by years of austerity and funding cuts to public services. COVID-19 provided some fresh new challenges but I'm proud of the way myself and colleagues have been able to adapt.'

Always take the leap

Joseph Taylor (BA Sociology, 2015)

'I spent two years at Leicester City Council working on various projects, from coordinating resources for a new bus station to managing city-centre development works. I then project managed the in-sourcing of a repairs service for a housing association in the Midlands before joining Sopra Steria Consulting. Recently I have been programme managing the delivery of a digital transformation programme for one of our clients. It has been a huge challenge but seeing the realisation of benefits has made it all worthwhile.

The best advice I have received came from my alumni mentor: "always take the leap." Over my relatively short career to date I have been presented with many decision points and it is difficult to know the 'right' thing to do. However, judging and prioritising opportunities based upon the challenges they present has proved to be a great help which I continue to do today. It is easier said than done but if you are looking to accelerate your career and make a difference then always "take the leap."'

Living in a new country

Matthew Harrison (BSc Physics with International Study, 2015)

'After graduating, I returned to Toulouse, France, where I had spent my year abroad. I taught English as a foreign language, worked at a British pub and started a new degree in Applied Foreign Languages with Chinese. I also helped to welcome Erasmus students from Birmingham. My degree took me on another year abroad, this time to Chongqing, China. A mutual friend put me in touch with an alumnus who lived there and he welcomed me into his ex-pat friendship group! Unfortunately, in mid-February, I had to return home and attend classes online due to the pandemic. My goal now is to find a way back to China to continue that adventure.

My proudest achievements since graduating are moving abroad, integrating into the local way of life, finding a job that I love and making the decision to start a new degree, which forced me to push the boundaries of my comfort zone in every direction.

Through all of this, I've grown enormously as a person, building on the foundation of independence and responsibility which I developed at University.'

Shaping environmental policy

Edward Fitter (BSc Biochemistry, 2015)

'In my first year after graduating, I worked at a restaurant, did an internship at Aston Martin and spent a couple of months exploring Canada and Thailand. I then started a graduate job in local government and gained a diploma in Leadership and Management. In 2017, I started working for the Conservative Party. Last year, I was elected as a councillor to the Stratford-upon-Avon District Council.

I am very busy balancing this on top of a full-time job, but I love working for my community and it's very rewarding to bring my ideas into reality. Through my Biochemistry degree, I picked up a strong interest in the environment and conservation.

As a councillor, I'm working hard to ensure that the decisions and policies we determine consider the local environment. It is my aspiration that Stratford-upon-Avon will be a cleaner and greener place to live and work when I finish my term.'