So, what does being a Talent Development Manager involve?
I support students on their career development journey – from understanding what it’s like to work in the corporate industry, to how to secure their chosen careers through CV and interview practice.
What made you want to work for Visionpath?
I chose to work for Visionpath because of the social mobility work we do. Supporting young people from disadvantaged backgrounds with opportunities they may not otherwise have access to really stood out to me.
In my professional career I’ve done a lot of work with children and young people, supporting them with their development – mostly in education settings. I later went on to support adults in gaining and developing employability skills during the pandemic. I wanted to merge the two experiences, and Visionpath was the perfect company for me to do that!
"The most satisfying part of my job so far is being able to connect with employers and young people to deliver them a life-changing experience."
What’s the best part of your job?
The most satisfying part of my job so far is being able to connect with employers and young people to deliver them a life-changing experience. Regardless of whether or not they progress to an apprenticeship, they’ll receive the support they need to be successful – no matter what direction they decide to take. To me, this is what it truly means to break social mobility barriers and make an everlasting difference in a young person’s life.
What’s your personal experience of social inequality?
As a young person, I was labelled early as the “disruptive child” and “beyond help” because I would often display negative behaviours when I didn’t understand something, or I was bored because the work wasn’t challenging enough. There was no support to help me understand this, or patience to help me work through it.
Once I left college and realised this was the issue, I worked on proving to myself that I was capable of the things people said I couldn’t do and began my journey to support young people with similar experiences. I aimed to find roles where I could work with young people to help them to understand their behaviour, while also giving them room to express themselves.
"As a young person, I was labelled early as the 'disruptive child' and 'beyond help'... There was no support to help me understand this, or patience to help me work through it."
Why do you think businesses are mad to miss out on socially diverse talent?
Some of the best talent and some of the most creative people come from socially diverse backgrounds. I understand first-hand how much work goes into gaining the skills needed in a particular industry. Plus, channelling all your hard work into securing a role that’s worth your skillset can be an added challenge.
What advice would you give your 18-year-old self?
I would tell my 18-year-old self not to give up on what you want to achieve in life – no one knows you better than you do! I would also say that taking the time to figure things out is normal at this age. Don’t rush to become an adult, or take on more responsibility than you can handle.
What do you love to do outside of work?
I have a personal passion for hair and cosmetics, and recently started creating my own products to understand what works best for my hair type. I’m also a lifelong learner, so I like taking courses that help me gain new skills and develop those I have.
Here at Visionpath, we do what we do because we want all young people – no matter their background – to start their career on an equal footing. And because we know that, right now, businesses are missing out on a wealth of untapped talent.
Want to find out what Visionpath can do for you? Get in touch.
