What’s your job title and how long have you been at Loughborough?

I’m the Careers Development Co-ordinator and also the Cayley Warden. I’ve worked here 22 years – I started in HR as a HR Officer, moved to the School of SSH as a Student Admin Manager and am now in Careers Network.

Tell us what a typical day in your job looks like?

I am fairly new to my substantive role as Careers Development Co-ordinator. However, a typical day at present involves organising a timetable of events for the new term or coaching students through one-to-one sessions on careers-related matters either by individual appointments or at the East/West Park Hub. In my role as a Warden there is no typical day. I help with signposting on various issues such as heating issues, water leaks or student wellbeing issues. At this time of year I’ll be working closely with the Student Accommodation Centre to agree which students will be returning to halls next year.

What’s your favourite project you’ve worked on?

Cayley move in day is my favourite day of the year. Greeting new students into the hall is the most rewarding part of my role. Most students arrive very nervous, anxious and apprehensive (as do their parents/carers), and my role is to provide a warm, friendly welcome and to reassure them that the way they’re currently feeling is normal and that everyone is in the same boat. That evening at dinner in the hall it’s lovely to watch them making new friends.

When I first started in HR, I was asked by the Registrar to put together a Flexi-Time Policy and trial it, I was very happy that the University adopted the policy and it’s still running today.

What is your proudest moment at Loughborough?

This is a hard question! Apart from graduating myself having completed the CIPD, I’d say the proudest moments have been in my role as Warden. Once I’d been a Warden for three years, I saw my students graduate and them keeping in touch with me via social media makes me really proud of them. I was also super proud of the Admin Team (the A Team) in SSH for the way we managed to support each other and deliver a high quality of service to our students and academics during Covid.

Tell us something you do outside of work that we might not know about?

I’m sure anyone who knows me knows I love dancing. I attend a dance class once a week called On Broadway where we learn a dance to a Broadway song over four weeks. It’s a lot of fun and a good way to make friends and destress.

What is your favourite quote?

“He who dares wins” – Del Boy!

I live by this and like to push myself out of my comfort zone. I don’t stay still for long!

If you would like to feature in ‘5 Minutes With’, or you work with someone who you think would be great to include, please email Soph Dinnie at S.Dinnie@lboro.ac.uk.