Seven questions with... Victoria Wade

What does your role involve and how long have you been at UCL? What was your previous role?

My role as a Careers Consultant at UCL Careers involves me working with current students, specifically School of Pharmacy students and graduates.  My role is really varied; as well as offering one-to-one guidance sessions, checking CVs and applications and running workshops, I also lead on new initiatives, create online video sources, run LinkedIn labs and work with other teams in UCL such as the Widening Participation team.  

Previously I have worked in fundraising, facilities, project management and market research so quite a variety.

What working achievement or initiative are you most proud of?

I am most proud of the work that I have done on GradClub, UCL Careers specialist coaching and careers service for graduates.  Recent graduates can feel very adrift when they leave UCL without a job or further study.  The GradClub team offer comprehensive support helping graduates get to the next step in their careers.  I really enjoy building strong relationships with GradClub members in our one-to-one sessions and I love seeing how GradClubbers help support each other and build networks through the workshops we run for them.  There is no better moment in my day than when one of my GradClub clients contacts me to say they have finally got that job they have been working for!   

Tell us about a project you are working on now which is top of your to-do list?

I am currently working on an exciting project called UCL Inspire Me (#UCLInspireMe) where we are helping to promote careers and events that are outside the sphere of banking, law or finance.  There is a sometimes a preconception that the careers service is just geared towards helping students who want to get jobs in those sectors, when in fact there are loads of events, information and guidance about the whole range of careers out there.   The project is great because it involves creating short films, learning and implementing marketing strategy and thinking up fun events to do around campus.

What was your first job straight out of university?

I didn't have a clue what I wanted to do when I left uni!  My first job was a fundraising assistant at the National Childbirth Trust, organising fundraising activities from local bake sales to charity places on the London Marathon.  I think it was this job that inspired me to run a marathon myself 8 years later!

What is your favourite and least favourite thing about London?

London is an amazing city with a million things to do.  I enjoy walking around the City of London on a Sunday when it is very empty as you really get a chance to appreciate the magnificent buildings and sense of history.  Always look up when you are in London!

My least favourite thing is that a lot of my friends have moved out of London so it can be a trek to see them.

Who would be your dream dinner guests?

Angela Carter, David Attenborough, Peterson Joseph, Michael Palin, Beyoncé, Winston Churchill and Sandra Bullock.

What would it surprise people to know about you?

That I have climbed four mountains (and enjoyed the view from the top of all of them!)