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

I chose the LSE based on a colleague's recommendation and the LSE's global reputation and ranking.

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

I look back on my time at the LSE with fondness. I was challenged and supported to grow in my learning and thinking by professors and 

Please describe your career path to date:

My career path is not a straightforward one. Prior to attending the LSE, I had 5 years of experience in the not-for-profit sector. I had come to the LSE planning to launch an international development career. To earn some income during my time at the LSE, I began working for a start-up non-profit that provided life coaching for people in the criminal justice system. Though I managed operations, I received a bit of coach training as part of my professional development, which piqued my interest in the subject.

Also during my time at the LSE, I attended The Business Show, where entrepreneurship was reframed in my mind as a viable career option. I realised this was a strong interest for me, and my not-so-coincidental work in the start-up organisation gave me a taste of what launching my own organisation could be like.

Why did you choose your current job?

International development is still an issue close to my heart, but I chose to start a social enterprise by asking not ‘What is the biggest problem that I could help solve?’ (for which ‘international development’ is a strong contender!), but ‘What are my own strengths, experiences, interests, and opportunities, and what problem could I help solve considering these?’

I contemplated one previous role that stuck with me above the others – managing an emergency shelter and crisis line for women affected by domestic abuse. I thought about the episodic and generational cycles I’d seen perpetuated despite the organisation delivering excellent prevention and intervention services to men, women, children, victims and perpetrators in the community. There seemed to be an opportunity to help end cycles of abuse.

Coaching was an interest and a strength for me, and I was curious if this would be a suitable intervention to break cycles of abuse. It was absolutely an innovative one! Though there was no research available on life coaching and domestic abuse, research did support related outcomes. I called up my former workplace, ran and evaluated a successful pilot one-to-one coaching programme with four women – and the rest is history.

Tell us about your current job:

As above, I'm entrepreneur with an early-stage social enterprise (located in London, UK).

Day-to-day responsibilities:

-Very varied!

-Programme design

-Associate and volunteer management

-Client/ programme management

-Strategically expand network and build strong relationships

-Build partnerships

-Provide leadership coaching

-Admin: accounting, managing database, liaising with solicitors, insurers, etc.

-Fundraising

-Marketing and sales

-Writing

Personal qualities and skills that help me:

-I'm a generalist at heart. I connect with many experts to get things done.

-I'm a starter. I love generating ideas and setting them in motion.

-I'm self-aware - for instance, whilst I know that ideating is a strength, seeing a project through to completion feels more effortful for me.

-I consciously create a work environment for success. I build routine in my day to minimise drawing from willpower, which is finite. I manage my energy by not booking consecutive days for meetings (I'm an introvert, and draw my energy from being alone). I schedule time in my week for unforeseen tasks. And I also schedule downtime, including one full day off per week.

-I'm intrinsically motivated, and I've also got a board that keeps me accountable. They share in our successes - and failures!

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

When entering entrepreneurship, pay attention to your internal factors (strengths, interests, experiences) and external factors (opportunities, resources/ supports). Though I hadn't worked out that I wanted to start an organisation during my time at the LSE, they have entrepreneurship societies where you can connect with like-minded others, and the CareerHub offers support as well.