Exploring Different Routes to Success – Alumnae Reception 2018

This year’s theme was ‘Exploring different routes to success’ and looked at how volunteering, non-executive directorships, portfolio careers and entrepreneurship can all be used to achieve success in your career and further personal development.

A panel of Exeter alumnae shared their experiences of these areas and gave advice and guidance to guests on how they can develop these opportunities and use them to build valuable transferable skills.

Please see below for summaries and videos from the speakers.

Emma Rosen, Founder 25before25

Emma spoke about her experience of trying 25 careers before she was 25 and how this led to her creating a portfolio career. She also spoke about her passion for encouraging young people to look beyond the standard ‘graduate job’ and explore a range of possibilities. Finally she gave hints and tips to those looking to create a portfolio career.

Ali Golds, Coach, author and founder of The Juno Project

Ali spoke about the challenges she faced in setting up her business from scratch and her drive to help women to achieve their best - both personally and in their businesses. She also spoke about the pros and cons of being an entrepreneur, the skills she has learnt along the way and gave advice to those interested in setting up their own business.

Clare Berthoud, Director of Business Development at Mayfair Capital Investment Management Ltd, the specialist UK real estate investment manager.

Clare spoke about how, following a career break, taking up a volunteering role in the University of Exeter Alumnae Group and then in the Investment and Endowment Group, helped her to regain her confidence and find a role that builds well on her previous work experience and skills. She also explained how valuable volunteering can be for expanding your network and gaining new and relevant experience.

Listen to Clare talk about her experience

Sarah Turvill, Head of Council, University of Exeter

Sarah spoke about her experience of holding non-executive directorships and how they can help you to build your skills and broaden your experience. She explained how they can be relevant and accessible at all periods of your career, however you will need the support of your manager if you would like to hold one alongside a full time job. They are brilliant opportunities for widening your network and also for developing skills which could help you to advance in your career such as management and leadership. They are also very satisfying roles and allow you to be involved with and give back to a cause which you are passionate about. Her advice to anyone looking to secure a role was to ensure that you network as much as possible, as many roles are filled through word of mouth or by knowing someone. She also suggested that you pursue a role in the area in which you are most passionate about as you will be required to give a lot of your free time.

View images from the event below: