Why did you choose LSE, and why did you choose your programme of study?

I chose LSE and my particular MSc programme for three reasons: 1. It was both English speaking and not in North America. 2. It had a reputation for academic excellence and curiosity, which is well summed up by the school’s motto – “to know the causes of things.” 3. The programme combined practical elements with theory and research – this was not just a trade’s programme that would teach me to work in a PR agency; this was a truly academic communications programme.

Overall, how do you look back on your LSE experience?

My time at LSE was excellent and I would do it all again.

Please describe your career path to date:

The day I handed in my dissertation I flew home to Canada to complete a short term contract with the BC Wildfire Management Branch as a Public Information Officer – my home province was having an exceptionally busy wildfire season and, as I had worked for the branch before starting my Master’s, I was offered the contract. This opportunity helped to solidify my practical crisis communications credentials and helped me to get the job I now have.

After completing the contract I returned to London and started looking for work. After a couple months I was offered a position with my current employer as a Crisis Response Manager. After a year in the role, I was offered the COO position, which I now hold.

Why did you choose your current job?

It sounded exciting and I thought it would give me a chance to gain crisis communications experience in another sector.

Tell us about your current job:

I manage Navigate Response’s global operations including business development, crisis response training and coordinating with our network of 38 offices in 24 countries.

We specialise in Maritime Crisis Communications and help our clients (mostly shipping companies) to communicate with external stakeholders (mostly via the media and social media) during any crisis that might impact the client’s operations. We respond to about 60 incidents a year ranging from oil spills, to pirate attacks.

I am based in our London offices at the Baltic Exchange in the City of London, but spend almost 100 days a year traveling, mostly for meetings and to deliver training and strategy sessions for our clients.

The ability to write quickly and clearly and the ability to speak confidently and engagingly to divers groups of people are the two most vital skills for my position. I need to have the experience and confidence to deliver high-level advice, often under intense pressure and to collaborate with the many organisations that come together to respond to a maritime incident.

What advice do you have for LSE students who are looking to enter a similar profession to you?

Get as much practical experience as you can. A degree is a big help, but it alone will never get you a good job in this industry, you must have experience – volunteer to run communications for a charity or even a university club, look for seasonal contracts such as in parks, tourism, or emergency response. And critically, consume a lot of news. When you hear a story ask yourself what the strategy is for those involved and ask yourself how you could have managed the story better for each of the players. 

I chose LSE and my particular MSc programme for three reasons: 1. It was both English speaking and not in North America. 2. It had a reputation for academic excellence and curiosity, which is well summed up by the school’s motto – “to know the causes of things.” 3. The programme combined practical elements with theory and research – this was not just a trade’s programme that would teach me to work in a PR agency; this was a truly academic communications programme.