The Careers staff bloggers are…
Sarah Mallen – Information Manager
My first degree was in geography from the University of Sheffield and I completely empathise with anyone coming out of a degree with no clue what to do next. For me the next step was a variety of work experience until I decided on a career in library and information work for which I needed a postgraduate degree. I worked in further education and local government libraries before joining the Careers Service.
Much of my daily work involves talking to students and graduates about their needs and keeping up to date with the latest information sources for career options and opportunities. I’ll be keeping you informed about new publications and the latest news on events.
Helen Buzdugan – Careers Consultant
Before entering the world of careers work 8 years ago, I had already tried out several other careers and considered even more. After graduating in Russian Studies in 1995, I taught English in Japan and Russia, started a PhD, worked as a bookseller, product manager, business analyst and project manager. Having worked in various sectors (including retail, pharmaceuticals and publishing), I’ve now found a job I love, combining careers guidance with working on web-related projects. I feel my own zigzag career path helps me relate quite well to those students I advise who are trying to figure out what they want to do!
Karen Butterworth – Careers Consultant
After graduating with a degree in Geography and Biology from The University of Liverpool, I hadn’t even thought about careers, let alone decided what I wanted to do with the rest of my life…..I fell into selling mobile phones, moved upwards into retail management and then decided to jump across into the world of recruitment. I found that I enjoyed advising people much more than finding them jobs, and so when the opportunity arose to move into careers guidance, I leapt at the chance! Since then, I haven’t looked back.
I hope my own ‘higgledy piggledy’ experience of careers will help me to write interesting blog posts and give confidence to those of you who are struggling to decide what to do next after Uni.
Martine Storey – Information Officer
I am a graduate of The University of Manchester and joined the MLP, Careers and Employability Division in 2001. I work in the Careers Resource Centre, answering questions on a range of career related topics such as where to look for jobs or how to write a CV. I also work on the Manchester Graduate Internship Programme (MGIP), helping graduates to gain short term graduate roles in Greater Manchester.
Jamie Bytheway- Marketing Intern
I graduated from the University of Manchester in June 2011 with a degree in English Literature. Since then I have had a short stint as a marketing intern for an engineering firm and am now a marketing intern at the Careers Service- both jobs I got through the Manchester Graduate Internship Programme. I always thought I wanted to work in publishing, so I decided to get some work experience in this sector during my final year- most of this happened to be within a marketing function. I really enjoyed my work experience and this opened my eyes to another career path which I had never considered and am now trying to pursue!
Hopefully I can provide some insightful advice upon what its like on the other side of graduation!
Natalie Walsh – Careers Consultant
Two years after graduating with a degree in Politics from University of Salford I found myself still there, working in the library. Forced out in the big wide world when my project funding was cut I eventually found myself temping as a Clerical Assistant in the HR Department of an engineering company. Being enthusiastic and prepared to get stuck into anything thrown at me saw the short-term placement become a permanent job. Wanting to develop my career in HR I found a role at University of Manchester, initially as a Recruitment Assistant and then as an HR Assistant. I discovered an interest in training and a placement in the Staff Training Unit helped develop these skills. After 9 years in HR and training roles, the post of Careers Consultant is a great mix of using my HR/Recruitment experience and my interest in learning and development activities to support students.
Our student bloggers for 2011-12 are…
Priya Changela
I’m currently in my third year studying Politics and Modern History. I have only just realised the career path I want to take into the field of International Development so I have geared everything this year towards this by taking up a part-time volunteer job at Refugee Action in the Northern Quarter on top of university. I will also be writing about how my application to study for a master’s will eventually turn out. I’m hoping that everyone can relate to my constant juggling of deadlines and society related tasks, and that I can handle all the opportunites that I have put on my lap.
Michael Lyons
I’m currently in my third year studying B.A. Geography. I have a keen interest in journalism, and hope to pursue this as a future career. So what does an aspiring journalist do to secure a job? I hope to tell you that. Whether it be writing a blog, applying for jobs at local newspapers, or looking at NCTJ-accredited courses, I will keep you informed along the way.
Heena Panchal
Hello! I’m an undergraduate Chemistry student in my first year here. I have a huge love for reading, sport, and of course, science! I also think it’s nice to have the point of view of someone who is, or has been in your position quite recently, so I hope what I write helps. 
Naomi Powell
I am a fourth year Russian Studies student, hoping to one day enter a career in the media. I am aiming to secure a place on a master’s in Journalism beginning next September, so I’ll be posting a lot about master’s applications, along with my experiences of postgraduate fairs and open days. I also plan to apply for several graduate schemes, including the NGDP and L’Oreal, so watch this space for information on those too. I am currently working as a volunteer for the WRVS at Manchester Royal Infirmary, where I serve hot drinks and snacks. I am quite new to volunteering, but am really enjoying myself so far, so expect posts on my volunteer experience and the opportunities it brings about.
Sophia White
I am a third year History student. I’m currently in the process of deciding whether I want to do a master’s or to go straight out into the world of work, and, if I decide the latter, what career path I should choose. A lot of my career thinking time over the last year has just been about ruling out careers rather than definitively deciding what it is I do want to do, so I’m likely to be writing a lot about my decisions or lack thereof. I also work part time at an letting agents, so I’ll also be talking a bit about part-time work, and, of course, fitting all this in with the other stresses of third year.
Christabel Williams
Hello everyone, lovely to meet you. I am a third-year student reading B.A Language, Literacy and Communication. I am passionate about exploring language in society and writing creatively. As my degree offers a broad range of career options, I will be looking at different career paths involving: media, communication and education. In my blog posts I will be incorporating many of my personal experiences and opinions, and I hope you enjoy reading them. I look forward to hearing your comments and advice!
Tom Wilson
I am an undergraduate student in my second year studying Language, Literacy and Communication. My degree covers a wide range of subjects and involves lots of transferable skills that are inherent in most humanities courses. This should mean that my blog posts will be easy to relate to and useful for a wide range of students. I intend to write about anything that I believe to be relevant to undergraduates, whether it be my experience in a work placement, grappling with assignments and deadlines, pondering a master’s degree or searching for graduate schemes and internships.
