I Got Hired: Katie

Posted on: 16 November 2025 by Richard Finch in Class of 2024

Class of 2024 BA Communications and Media & Business Studies graduate Katie now works at Robe Lighting as a Marking Coordinator.

How did you hear about your role?

I heard about my role through a graduate recruitment agency called 'the Graduate'. They specialise in helping young people and graduates find roles within Northamptonshire, which is where I currently live. I decided to apply for this job, mainly, out of anxiety from the fact I hadn't considered what I wanted to do post graduation! It was April and I still hadn't applied to any jobs or sent any applications off to do a Masters. I was overwhelmed with choosing what to do next, I had no idea what career I wanted.

I feel incredibly lucky to have stumbled upon the job posting. A few weeks after applying I had secured the job, a Marketing Assistant at Robe Lighting (UK). Initially, it was not revealed who the job was with, just the description as to the role and responsibilities. I am grateful for this, as if I had seen that the role was in such a technological industry, I may have chosen to avoid it due to not knowing anything about it! I would recommend you apply and give everything a try, even if it may sound slightly outside of your comfort zone. Get that experience, and like me, it could work out for the best!

How did you get where you are now?

A benefit to being a part of the School of the Arts is the choices you get regarding your capstone module. Instead of a dissertation, I chose to do a work placement module. This meant I got to collect some work experience in my final year, and have it contribute to my final grade. It was the perfect scenario. I did my placement with the study abroad team at the University of Liverpool, which involved coming up with campaign ideas for inbound students, and help contribute to the team's social media. This experience was perfectly aligned to the job I applied for and now currently have!

I owe a lot to my friends, family, and the university support team for pushing me through my final year and giving me the mental support that I required to succeed. A small piece of advice I would give is to always, if you need it, ask for help. I really leaned on my lecturers for support for the first time at university, and that massively helped my understanding and grades. Use the resources you have around you! It can be scary to be vulnerable, but it will massively help down the line.

Your favourite experience as part of your current role?

My job is heavily involved in live events, which can be high-pressure, but it takes you to some wonderful places! My favourite memory of this year is attending Glastonbury Festival. I got to see the unfathomable effort, man power, and hard work it takes to put an event of such scale on with great success. It is an honour to get to see behind the curtain, meet the incredible talent that turn the cogs, and be a tiny part of something so huge!

I am highly appreciative that my job is incredibly flexible. As the only person in the marketing department, it means I get a lot of freedom to prioritise tasks, use my time to teach myself new skills, and it encourages me to communicate with everyone I need to, to get the job done. Handling lots of tasks and events makes my role very exciting, which is much preferred, for me, to a consistently structured day and week. Knowing I am trusted and supported makes my role a lot more enjoyable. Finding somewhere where your work is valued is extremely important.

The most challenging part of your graduate journey?

The biggest challenge was feeling out of my depth. Starting your career after university can give you major imposter syndrome... you are surrounded by individuals who have established their skills, goals and already have an accomplished career. When you are still figuring out what it is you want to do and where you want to be, it is extremely daunting! But I have managed to appreciate that everyone is learning, forever, and there's things that you can give to others as well as them to you. Time makes these feelings much easier to deal with.

What's your #1 piece of advice for future grads?

Imposter syndrome and self-doubt is totally normal! It is hard to enter a new world where everyone around you seems to know everything, and you feel the complete opposite. But the best way through that is to ultimately give it time. Lean on the people around you for support, ask questions, and don't be afraid to make mistakes. No one can be perfect, and having those imperfections act as the perfect lessons whilst you are beginning to put both feet on the ground.

Everyone around you wants you to do well... you all benefit from that!

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