How long have you been in the Faculty of Brain Sciences and what is your current role?
I started working at UCL in January 2018 in my current role as an Executive Assistant in the Faculty Office – so I’ve been here for four and a half years now.
What aspect of your work most excites you and why?
I enjoy the variety of the role: there are always new challenges to deal with, and the work is quite varied so very few days are the same. You can be working on a project one minute, doing diaries next and then sitting in a meeting taking minutes. I love the fact that I’m helping people and that the Faculty of Brain Sciences as a whole is focused on solving the world’s greatest problems. That’s something I can really get behind – it’s exciting.
What working achievements are you most proud of?
I’ve worked on some fantastic things, including organising an all staff conference for under £1k, line managing staff who were internally promoted, and most recently helping to set in place a new EA/PA Community of Practice at UCL, of which I’m a Co-Lead.
With the EA/PA Community of Practice, when I started at UCL there was nothing to join EAs and PAs up across the university – no formal group or anything for people to connect. I had a real vision that there should be some way of connecting us: to share information, best practice and learn from each other. It’s also important that we can be there as a group that can be consulted about the future and provide input.
Tell us something interesting about yourself that people might not know
I was brought up in Cornwall and left home at 17 for my first job at the Institute of Ophthalmology (now in the Faculty!). I was there when the first portacabin building was installed, I’m amazed it’s still in use today.
What’s the best advice you would give your younger self?
Never assume but ask clarifying questions – you’ll waste far less of everybody’s time. And try not to rebel for the sake of it when someone pigeon-holes you, it could actually be a compliment.