Inspire Careers Talks
Communities 1st gained the support of local businesses to compile an online resource of careers talks, delivered by local professionals for the benefit of local school pupils. We asked 11 set questions to each of the professionals about their own careers, the industries they work in, and how the qualifications they gained at school link to their careers today.
The questions we asked.
- Which A levels did you take to start your career?
- Did you go to University and if so, what did you study?
- What do you enjoy most about your job?
- What skills (outside of those learnt in school) would help a student hoping to get into this line of work?
- How can students start helping themselves become suitable candidates for this role?
- What path did you follow after A levels to reach your current position?
- What are the two most important traits someone needs to succeed in your field?
- What would you say to someone who wants to pursue this career but is worried about their grades?
- Are there any programmes/services available to students wanting to explore this career?
- What kind of challenges should you expect from this career?
- What trajectory can you expect to follow to move up in this sector?
To access the careers talks, please click on the link next to each professional’s profile.
Jason Sammon - Digital Media and Web Design
- FL1 Digital
FL1 Digital work with local clients to deliver website design solutions across a range of industries. They also offer expert support and training to their clients in the field of social media and search engine optimisation.
Cheryl Luzet - Digital Marketing / Business Management
- Wagada
Cheryl set up Wagada in 2011, a Digital Marketing company that helps businesses to gain maximum exposure from their online presence. It is now an established and successful local business. Cheryl spent 15 years working in the travel and publishing sectors. She also had a stint in the NHS, specialising in website editing, content production and user experience.
Chris Samways - Sport
- Herts Sports Partnership
Chris is a Project Officer with Herts Sports Partnership. Their role is to promote health and wellbeing through sport in the community. Chris is the project officer for clubs and coaching and works with education providers to promote the effective provision of sport and physical education in the community.
Karen Hadra - Accounting and Finance
- Standard Chartered Bank
Karen is an Investment Banker working for Standard Chartered Bank in the City of London. She studied in the US, at Northwestern University, and has a Masters in Business Administration.
Chetan Shah - Travel & Tourism
- Sona Tours
Chetan is a finance director for Sona Tours, an international travel company based in the UK, with offices in London, Kenya and the USA.
Kerry Smith - TV and Film
- Freelance
Kerry is a freelance accountant and works as a Financial Controller in the TV and Film Industry. She has gained a lot of insight into the industry during her career and has experience in the financial aspect of funding television and film productions.
Chris Pike – Digital Marketing
- HeyBurt
Chris set up HeyBurt in 2017, a marketing company launched in Hertfordshire and now servicing worldwide. HeyBurt’s services include digital consultancy, social media advertisement and website design. Chris spent many years working in marketing before starting his own business. He also has a degree in Sports Studies and has volunteered for many sports clubs across Hertfordshire.
Chris Myers – Local Councillor
- Hertsmere Borough Council
Chris is a Hertsmere Councillor who was elected in 2019. His job as a Councillor is to provide a bridge between the community and the council and represent their views at council meetings. He is a life-long resident of Potters Bar and went through the local school system. He works for a long-established local company as well as studying for a politics degree as a part-time mature student.
Helen Barnett – Creative Director
- Trestle Theatre
Helen joined Trestle in 2017 as Creative Director. She trained originally in drama at Loughborough University and went on to gain an MA in Directing from East 15 Acting School, with a module training abroad at GITIS in Moscow. Helen then went on to work as a freelance Theatre Facilitator and Director working with companies such as The Bush Theatre, The Tricycle Theatre, Polka Theatre and Watford Palace Theatre. In these roles she worked on various educational and outreach projects alongside her role as Artistic Associate with Sphinx Theatre Company.
Caroline Clapper- County Councillor
- Hertfordshire County Council
Caroline has been a County Councillor for Hertfordshire County Council since June 2009 and prior to that, she was a Borough Councillor for Totteridge Ward in the London Borough of Barnet. She is also the Portfolio Holder for Leisure, Culture & Health at Hertsmere Borough Council. Before Caroline became a County Councillor, she worked in the film and advertising industry and is now on the board of directors at Elstree Film Studios.