I am an old girl who in February, along with over 40 others, presented at a careers evening, held every three years at the school, to more than 600 parents and students in years 9 and up to explain what we had been up to since leaving Farnborough Hill. So many people with different careers including sport, archeology, scientific research, law, medicine, music, publishing, PR, media and teaching amongst others, gave up an evening to discuss what they do and how they got there.
I talked about my current role in Financial Services, in particular R&D Tax Services. However, my path to Tax was not straightforward and to be honest, I could never have envisioned this as my career path when I left Farnborough Hill 21 years ago. I studied Biochemistry at University, which then led onto extensive further study and postdoctoral research in the field of vaccine development. After nearly 10 years, I realised that I craved a more secure career – having got tired of the constant battle to achieve funding for the next project - so I undertook a conversion course to Law and continued with my professional legal qualification.
Whilst doing the final stages of this, I was contacted by my current firm to discuss working in an R&D Tax team as a life science technology expert. This was an opportunity to utilise my background in science and even some of the law within a commercial organization. I get to hear about fantastic technological and scientific innovation undertaken by some of the most instrumental visionaries in the UK across all industry sectors, and assist them in receiving an incentive from the Government to help ensure that this talent remains in the UK. I love my role as it has taken all my training in every discipline and channeled it into a profession that I never really was aware of or contemplated when I was younger.
This became my key message in talking with the girls: don’t try and map out your life and career when you haven’t got out into the world and experienced it or got to know yourself and what would make you happy. If you do, you might ignore opportunities that come your way that would better fulfill your potential. Don’t be scared of making changes, or planning new routes. This may be a drastic change in career like mine, or it might be taking opportunities for secondment or career change within your current organization. Remember, no experiences are wasted and employers are craving to see candidates that have something special to differentiate them from the CV fodder they wade through everyday.
I have recently joined the committee of FHOGA to try and build our network of old girls, to assist both students and old girls to link up with people that may be able to help with advice, encouragement and provide insight into the wealth of experience that we collectively have.
We plan to start some informal social events where we can meet and chat with you and begin to build mutually beneficial relationships, have fun and get to know each other a bit better. Meeting once a year for the reunion is not enough.
Written by an FH Old Girl - email: fhoga@farnborough-hill.org.uk
YOUR OLD GIRLS ASSOCIATION NEEDS YOU! What key message could you share, what gem of advice had the most impact to your career? Please email us with your current contact details – eg current career, qualifications and in particular e-mail address, phone number and current occupation - so we can keep you updated more regularly.