Host & previous student - Felicity

School of History, Classics & Archaeology; Class of 2019

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Felicity hosted Insights students in her role as a Graduate Retail Manager at Marks and Spencer in Edinburgh.

How did you benefit from participating in Insights as a student? 

The Insights Programme got me starting to properly network. It made me realise it is not what you know but who you know.

Although I did not find the career I wanted to do during the programme, the alumni we met all had transferable skills and have developed themselves to really find a job they were passionate about.

In my career, the skills of networking I learnt during the programme has meant I have connected with influential people across business who I could go to for career advice any time.  

What are your motivations for participating in Insights as an alumni host?

Having been a part of the programme before, as a student, I know how important the programme was for me. I felt like it made me seriously start considering what was after university.

It also allowed me to start understanding what skills I would need in my career to help me make the most of every opportunity.

Having been in the retail sector for the majority of my working life, I do feel that careers in my sector are not taken seriously and potentially overlooked. Having joined M&S on a graduate scheme, I wanted to highlight to the students on the programme that careers in retail can look very different and you can be successful in many ways.  

Why do you think it’s important to support the Insights Programme?

During my university experience, I felt the only time I really thought about my career was during the Insights Programme. When I got into the programme as a student, I felt like it was such an achievement for me.

Having struggled to socialise with people in my course due to working commitments, the Insights Programme allowed me to meet people from different courses, different years and allowed me to be a part of something bigger.  

What experience did you offer students during their visit to you? 

As an Alumni host this year, I wanted to give the students an experience that meant they could learn about the company, what career paths we offer and hear from some managers who have worked in the business for many years.

Along with two members of the team who are from our HR department in the region, we explained where the company started and what achievements we have met over the last financial year. I then explained my career journey and how I came to applying for the graduate programme within M&S.

We followed this with a tour of our Academy store at The Gyle where the students got to ask our team managers questions about our Clothing & Home and Food departments. We ended the visit with a talk from the store manager of Craigleith M&S who explained what a day in the life of a store manager looks like and how skills are transferable in different careers.  

Was being an Insights host what you expected?

This was my first year as a host and after hosting the students this year, there are definitely aspects of the visit I would change next year if I was to host again. But yes, it was about what I expected.

What impact has being a host had on you? 

As an alumni host, it made me realise the impact I can have on students who were in the same position that I was. It made me reflect on the colleagues I manage who are also going through university or unsure of their career path and spending time with them to understand what they want from their future career and what they want it to look like. Because of this experience, two colleagues who I manage are seriously considering stepping up into management within the company.

Being an alumni as well made me realise that networking outside of the people you immediately know can be so valuable and I really enjoyed networking with fellow University of Edinburgh alumni.  

Top tip for alumni considering applying to be a host  

Don't overthink it! It's easy to get carried away and speak about absolutely every opportunity within your company.

I think it is also to remember to reflect that this opportunity isn't just for the students, it is also beneficial for you.

By being a part of the programme, its expanding your network and showing off your passion for your career.