Melvin’s career in social and economic policy has taken him from the Dominican Republic to East Timor, China and now New York City where he is a Policy Specialist at UNICEF. Melvin is a self-described ‘technology enthusiast’ and tech is a theme we return to throughout this episode. Melvin discusses the implications of new technology for policy work and how students and graduates can harness tech to prepare themselves for a rapidly changing workplace. He has some great advice on how to make the m...
Jun 17, 2023•51 min•Season 5Ep. 8
Kirsty takes us on her journey from UofG history student to working at the V&A, where she’s been involved in exhibitions ranging from nightclubs to robotics, and now Tartan, the first exhibition to be curated solely by V&A Dundee. You’ll get an insight into the day-to-day work of a curator, from researching and choosing objects, to speaking to press, shaping learning programmes, installing exhibitions and ultimately feeling an enormous sense of pride when a new show opens its doors. No w...
Jun 17, 2023•43 min•Season 5Ep. 9
Salem Avan has worked on UN peacekeeping missions in Africa, the Middle East and Europe, an experience which he tells us fundamentally changed his understanding of the world and how people live. Salem progressed from management to leadership roles, and in this episode he discusses the important differences between the two, and why he takes a ‘heart based leadership’ approach, focusing on respect, dignity, equality and psychological safety at work. Now based in New York City, he oversees technolo...
Jun 17, 2023•1 hr 4 min•Season 5Ep. 7
In this special two-part episode get the inside track on working in the civil service from two recent graduates who both made early career changes into policy roles. Neither Claire nor Cristina did the Civil Service fast stream programme. They found their own paths. In this episode, we take a deep dive into what these unconventional routes can look like: what inspired them to work in government, the application process, and important knowledge and insight learnt along the way. Claire found the a...
Dec 13, 2022•23 min•Season 5Ep. 7
In this special two-part episode get the inside track on working in the civil service from two recent graduates who both made early career changes into policy roles. Neither Claire nor Cristina did the Civil Service fast stream programme. They found their own paths. In this episode, we take a deep dive into what these unconventional routes can look like: what inspired them to work in government, the application process, and important knowledge and insight learnt along the way. Claire found the a...
Dec 13, 2022•21 min•Season 5Ep. 6
In this episode we meet Ian, whose hard work and determination has led him to success in a highly competitive industry. Graduate Ian quickly learnt that getting a foot in the door of the music industry would require rigorous preparation, and after beating 10,000 applicants to a BBC Trainee Scheme, embarked on a career in digital, radio, and TV that took him from Glasgow to London. At a time when video streaming was growing, Ian was tasked with the challenge of visualising BBC Radio on YouTube fo...
Dec 13, 2022•54 min•Season 5Ep. 4
In this episode, Kirsten shares an honest account of how tough she found her first year out of university and the knock-backs she got from job applications — happily none of which she can even remember now! Hear about the temp job that changed the course of her career, sparked her interest in working in policy and helped build her confidence, eventually leading to her first permanent role with the City of Edinburgh Council. Join Kirsten as her passion for the third sector shines throughout this ...
Dec 13, 2022•44 min•Season 5Ep. 5
In this episode Zuzia Boguslawska, UofG Careers Intern, gets the low-down on working in science communications and public engagement from Zara Gladman. Strap in as we follow Zara’s journey from volunteering with Glasgow Science Festival to leading Public & Community Engagement at UofG as she reflects on the ups and downs learnt along the way. Zara has built her career pairing creativity with science. She talks about taking part in the Bright Club Glasgow , where stand-up comedy meets science...
Dec 13, 2022•30 min•Season 5Ep. 2
Laura made the difficult decision to leave her cancer research institute to pursue a career in science communications, and the career change opened a wealth of new opportunities and personal accomplishments. Since making this leap, Laura has worked for organisations including Cancer Research UK and the MS Society in communication roles ranging from public health, policy, fundraising, and research. In her current role as programme lead at Glasgow City of Science and Innovation , Laura describes i...
Dec 13, 2022•32 min•Season 5Ep. 3
Laura’s passion for working in the museum sector shines through in this episode, from the importance of creating an inclusive environment and bringing diversity of thought and representation, to the ways museums can affect change and make a difference to people's lives. You’ll hear about the enormous value that Laura places on authenticity and how she encourages her team to bring their personality to work. Laura shares her inside knowledge on the breadth of opportunities in the museum sector and...
Dec 13, 2022•50 min•Season 5Ep. 1
As a student at UofG Richard travelled the UK performing and regularly taking shows to the Edinburgh Fringe, unbelievably he never missed a single lecture or tutorial during his four years of studies. This commitment and drive set him on an award-winning career path as a writer, comedian and actor, and here Richard shares his professional highs and lows. Richard’s 2016 show ‘Monkey See Monkey Do’, written about his experience of being sexually assaulted and his subsequent battles with mental hea...
Mar 13, 2020•1 hr 9 min•Season 4Ep. 3
Statistician, political commentator, television chef and author – Liberty Vittert has developed so many strands to her career. In this episode, we travelled to Boston to meet Liberty and to find out how. Liberty is a passionate believer that data can be used for good – and tells us about how the work she has done on the Board of USA for UNHCR, the north American arm of the of Refugee Agency has done just that. Liberty’s research, as a PhD student at UofG, focused on facial shape analysis with Dr...
Feb 28, 2020•1 hr 10 min•Season 4Ep. 2
This is the Inside Track on turning your great idea into a world-class business with Darina Garland, Co-founder and Chief Experience Officer at Ooni pizza ovens. Are you thinking of creating a prototype of a product idea? Have you ever wondered how much funding to ask for? Have you got a business idea but don’t know where to start? Hear Darina tell how Ooni began as an idea (and a desire for great pizza!) in her backyard, to a simple scrappy prototype and now the fastest growing company in Scotl...
Feb 14, 2020•24 min
Get the Inside Track on an early career mindset. Not everyone has ‘always known’ what they want to do and even if you do… it might be altogether different when you get there. In this episode, Dan tackles four different myths surrounding the early career decision making process. Myth 1 – You have to know what you want to do, to be successful. Myth 2 – The hardest part is getting your foot in the door Myth 3 – You have to specialise to become valuable. Myth 4 – Networking is all there is to gettin...
Feb 14, 2020•10 min
Get the Inside Track on building your personal brand. Cat Hepburn has a portfolio career as a voice over artist, script writer and spoken word performer. Having started her personal brand early on, she’s sharing all her top tips on how to get started, how to use social media to best effect and how to ensure you’re staying true to yourself. Cat talks Instagram culls, Bryony Gordon and how to start a website if you’re not tech savvy… so if you need to work on your personal brand, press play! Resou...
Feb 14, 2020•13 min
When Kevin Sneader submitted his application to McKinsey, one of the world’s largest consultancy firms, as a UofG law graduate, he couldn’t have known it was the start of a career that would span decades, cross continents and ultimately take him to Hong Kong, where he is now Global Managing Partner. In this latest episode of UofG Sound Tracks, Kezia travelled to Hong Kong and met Kevin at the McKinsey office to hear about his incredible career journey. From technology and artificial intelligence...
Feb 14, 2020•53 min•Season 4Ep. 1
Jordan Daly co-founded the campaign group and charity Time for Inclusive Education (TIE). TIE has one aim: to tackle homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia with LGBT-inclusive education in schools. Jordan’s experience growing of up as a young gay man, and his feeling of isolation at his most desperate helped to shape the work that TIE do in schools. In this episode Jordan tells the incredible story of TIE and how he took the organisation from grass roots campaigning to making LGBT history, it all...
Dec 13, 2019•1 hr 6 min•Season 3Ep. 5
UofG grad and Human Rights Barrister Isabel must have made one of the most brave post-graduation decisions covered on the Sound Tracks Podcast. At age 23, after graduating from the Law School, Isabel went to work in Pakistan, on death row. In this episode, Isabel discusses the decisions she made along the way to becoming the Barrister she is today and how it’s a balance of listening to your gut and then analysing the available information that works for her. Isabel has written an award-winning b...
Dec 10, 2019•49 min•Season 3Ep. 4
Check our Erin's bio and recommended career resources: www.gla.ac.uk/alumni/welcomehome/soundtracks/erinmacdonald/ In this episode of Sound Tracks you’ll hear from Dr Erin Macdonald the self-confessed ‘tattooed Scottish-American N7 Slytherin Rebel from Starfleet’. Not sure what to make of that? Then take a listen! Dr Erin is the awesome host of YouTube series Dr Erin Explains the Universe, where she explores space science found in our favourite sci-fi TV shows, movies, books, and video games. Sh...
Nov 04, 2019•1 hr 2 min•Season 3Ep. 3
Check our Neil's bio and recommended career resources: www.gla.ac.uk/alumni/welcomehome/soundtracks/neiloliver ‘That guy from Coast’, Neil Oliver, has one of the most recognisable voices to give you sound advice in this latest episode. Archaeologist-broadcaster-author-journalist... he’s carved out a unique niche for himself in his multi-hyphen career and he’s about to give you the tools he used to do it. Listen out for: Neil’s advice for those in a job they’re not in love with, what he thinks ab...
Oct 18, 2019•46 min•Season 3Ep. 2
Get the Inside Track on making meaningful connections, with UofG Grad Paul Kay, who founded his own company Perfect Ink Media after working as the Managing Editor of Hong Kong Tatler! Paul gives three tips – that anyone can use – to break the ice, establish rapport and put your best foot forward with someone new. Resources and references from this episode can be found at www.gla.ac.uk/soundtracks/makingmeaningfulconnections...
Oct 11, 2019•13 min
Get the inside track on future skills, with UofG Grad David Timis - EU Civic Outreach Fellow at Google. David suggests tools for your learning, describes what the future looks like in the age of AI, and gives us lots of (let’s face it – much needed) hope for how we can all adapt our skills and mindsets in the world’s most technologically advanced work place. Resources and references from this episode can be found at www.gla.ac.uk/soundtracks/futureskills...
Oct 11, 2019•15 min
Get the inside track on aligning your career with your passion, with UofG Grad Mark Ross – Finance Director EMEA at sports brand Under Armour in Amsterdam. Mark talks you through how to show your passion at interview, suggests ways that he develops passionate members of his team and shares his insight into combining his Accountancy profession with his love of sport. Resources and references from this episode can be found at www.gla.ac.uk/soundtracks/aligningyourcareerwithyourpassion...
Oct 11, 2019•19 min
Get the inside track on managing Impostor Syndrome and building confidence, with UofG Grad Mairi McMartin – Knowledge Lawyer at Linklaters in Brussels. Mairi’s episode will make you laugh out loud and connect with your inner child again as she takes us right back to Primary School to explore some of the ways Imposter Syndrome can take hold. With three top tips that you can action today – this is an episode not to be skipped! Resources and references from this episode can be found at www.gla.ac.u...
Oct 11, 2019•15 min
Get the inside track on getting your first job abroad, with European Commission Comms Officer, Rosie Birchard. Rosie talks you through each step of the way, from skype interviews and CVs to what to pack and how to make friends in a new city. Listening to her practical tips and tricks will equip you with everything you need to go abroad – and likely abroad again, and again, and again! Resources and references from this episode can be found at: www. gla.ac.uk/soundtracks/gettingyourfirstjobabroad...
Oct 11, 2019•23 min
More info about Shiona and how to connect with her on our webpages at: www.gla.ac.uk/soundtracks In this first episode of Season 3 of Sound Tracks hosts Rosie and Kezia recorded in the BBC Radio 1 Newsbeat studio with Shiona McCallum, reporter and UofG law grad. Shiona’s role as a reporter covering stories across the UK, interviewing and investigative journalism, and broadcasting live on air on Radio one. Shiona also has a real deep interest and love for country music – which has led to her writ...
Oct 04, 2019•44 min•Season 3Ep. 1
This special episode of Sound Tracks was recorded live at Drygate Distillery, in front of an audience of 100 students and alumni. UofG Arts Grad Helen studied English Literature and Language in Glasgow, all the while brewing ideas for diversifying her family farm back home in Pitlochry. Today, she is both forager and founder at Badvo Distillery - successfully launching a unique Scottish Gin range and distilling not only great products, but the true essence of entrepreneurship along the way too! ...
May 21, 2019•48 min•Season 2Ep. 6
Check out Anita's bio and recommended careers resources: www.gla.ac.uk/alumni/welcomehome/soundtracks/anitachaudhuri Anita Chaudhuri is a UofG Drama grad who’s now Associate Editor of Psychologies Magazine and a long-standing journalist in the arts and current affairs. In this episode Anita talks openly about what she’s learnt from writing for some of the UK’s biggest newspapers and magazines. Listen out for: What Anita thinks are the biggest issues facing our career development today, her pet s...
Apr 26, 2019•51 min•Season 2Ep. 5
John Tiffany is one of UofG’s most prestigious alumni working in the creative arts. He’s worked on internationally acclaimed productions, winning numerous accolades including two Tony Awards and two Olivier Awards! In this very special episode of Sound Tracks we hear about John’s journey from a UofG Biology student, to becoming Associate Director at the National Theatre of Scotland and most recently Directing Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. This funny and thought-provoking discussion is packe...
Apr 03, 2019•1 hr 6 min•Season 2Ep. 4
Check out Ben's bio and recommended careers resources: www.gla.ac.uk/alumni/welcomehome/soundtracks/benmervis/ Food historian, researcher and editor Ben Mervis, came to Glasgow studying on a year abroad - and stayed! In this episode you'll hear how Ben used the skills from his history degree to create a multi-hyphen career around one of his passions: food. Working for Noma, Netflix's Chef's Table and now having launched Fare Magazine - Ben's followed his gut throughout. We joined him for a foodi...
Mar 19, 2019•1 hr 55 min•Season 2Ep. 3
