What Do You Actually Do?

This episode of What Do You Actually Do? features Olivia Rhodes. After completing her degree in Biology at the University of York, she joined the NHS Scientist Training Programme as a trainee Clinical Scientist. She shares what it’s like to work in healthcare science, explaining her rotations across areas such as Aseptics, Quality Assurance, and Radiopharmacy, and how these roles contribute to pat...

In this episode Kate speaks with Adrian Poffley, a Chief Administrative Officer at the World Bank Group, about the realities of working in finance within international development. Find out what the World Bank does, how financial decisions translate into global impact, and what a senior finance role looks like day-to-day. Adrian also shares his career journey from private sector accounting to glob...

In this episode, Phil Venables, Partner at Ballistic Ventures, explains how early-stage venture capital supports cybersecurity startups. His firm invests in new companies and works closely with founders to develop ideas, build teams, and grow successful businesses. Drawing on his career—from software engineering to senior cybersecurity roles at major organisations including Google—Phil highlights...

In this episode, Kate chats with Matt Smith, Senior Research Officer at HMRC, about his role in social research within the Civil Service. From interviewing members of the public about tax changes to managing large-scale research projects, Matt explains how social researchers help shape real-world policy decisions. He talks about the day-to-day realities of civil service careers, the value of curio...

In this episode, Finds Liaison Officer Isabelle Diggle explains her role in the Portable Antiquities Scheme, where she records archaeological objects found by the public, manages Treasure Act cases, and conducts heritage outreach. She talks about career paths in archaeology, the skills that matter and gives great advice for anyone hoping to break into the heritage sector. Useful links and transcri...

In this episode Kate chats to Yasmina Fadel, Co-director of XR studio Maximalist, about working in immersive tech and being an entrepreneur. She shares insights on the future of XR and AI, and her top advice for students breaking into the sector.  Yasmina's Bio I am Yasmina Fadel, a games producer with a proven track record in fostering connectivity and focus within remote teams. Over the cour...

In this episode Kate chats to Tom Kelton, CEO and Co-founder of Pentaro, a telemarketing and business development agency. Tom discusses how he co-founded Pentaro and explains the company’s rapid growth, the skills and mindset required to run a business, and the impact of his university studies. The conversation also touches on the challenges and opportunities in the telemarketing industry, includi...

This week Kate chats with Nick Smith, Executive Director of The Rowntree Society. Nick talks about how The Rowntree Society shares it's history and connects it to today’s issues plus he touches on the realities of running a nonprofit including funding, volunteers, and digital storytelling. Listen for top advice for students & graduates wanting to break into this sector and why transferable...

In this episode, Kate is joined by Leah Tharpe, who works as an independent Art Appraiser with Tharpe and Fairchild LLC. As well as a fine art specialist with Copley Fine Art Auctions and is also currently undertaking a PhD. Leah explains what the day to day role looks like, the key skills that are required and the joys and challenges of her work. Leah's Bio Leah C. Tharpe is a third-year PhD...

In this episode, Kate meets Flora Palmer. Flora is a current University of York student who is on placement year at the Walt Disney Company, working on production and operations for National Geographic. Flora describes her role, the skills and qualities she has developed and how this experience has helped her shape her future career ideas. Kate and Flora also discuss taking the initiative and goin...

Kate is  joined by Juany Murphy, who is Director of International Relations at the Otra Cosa Network, an International Development charity and alongside her, is one of her volunteers, Kate Geraghty. They discuss the satisfaction of making an impact with their work coupled against the precarious nature of funding for international development. Juany and Kate also share their tips and advice for bre...

The Art Loss Register is the world's largest private database of stolen, missing and looted art, antiques and collectables. It currently lists over 700,000 items. In this episode Kate chats to Charlotte Chambers Farah who works as the Global Art Fair and Auction House Manager. We've got Lucy O'Meara, the Recoveries and Art Finance Manager and James Ratcliffe, who is Mediator, General Counsel and D...

In this episode, Kate chats to George Young. George graduated in History and undertook the Change 100 internship programme which matches graduates with any disability or long term condition with progressive employers. Through the programme, George secured an internship with the NHS Confederation working in the People and Culture department. George and Kate discuss the process of applying for the p...

Kate chats to Laura Gravini-Rodriguez who is a senior associate with DAI, a large employee owned International Development company.  Laura gives us an insight into her role and the many routes into International Development work. She explains the personal qualities she feels are key to her work and the skills she developed as an international student in the UK. Laura and Kate also discuss the evol...

Kate is joined today by Faz Kazmi. Faz graduated in Economics and Finance and now works as a Vertical Launch Grants Manager at the UK Space Agency. Listen as Faz reveals what his day to day looks like. He also talks about the breadth of roles within this sector for graduates from all degree disciplines plus his tips on how to develop your skills and gain insights to help you break into the Space s...

Kate chats to York graduate Cezara Jalba about her role as a Control, Electrical & Instrumentation Design Engineer at the Sellafield site, which is part of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority. They discuss what her role entails, key skills, how Cezara's degree helped to prepare her for this role and what she loves about her job and the bits that she doesn't love quite so much. Cezara's Bio I...

Listen as Kate chats to Molly Watson about her past life working as a BBC News Journalist and her recent career change. She currently works as a Media and Communications Officer focusing on the impact of food on climate change. In this conversation, they discuss the similarities and differences between journalism and a communications role, leaving your comfort zone to make a career change and also...

James Halpin is a York graduate who is currently on the science and engineering stream of the Civil Service Fast Stream programme. Listen as Kate gets to the bottom of what James's job looks like. They cover the variety of postings James has undertaken on the Science and Engineering Fast Stream, the transferable skills that have helped him in his role and the future challenges for the Civil Se...

Izi Hutchinson is Senior Account Director at VCCP, an international integrated communications agency. Listen as Kate gets to the bottom of what Izi's job looks like. They cover the breadth of roles within advertising, the highs and lows of account management, the importance of mindset and attitude and what the future of advertising could look like. Izi's Bio Izi's most recent piece of...

Ian is an Academic Clinical Fellow and junior doctor in Obstetrics & Gynaecology. After graduating in English during the 2008 credit crunch, he pursued Graduate Entry Medicine and an MSc in Global Health Science. He divides his time between clinical work and research into complications of pregnancy. Transcript and useful links This is a re-released episode which was first published in March 20...

Harpal Sahota is a data scientist at MagicLab, who operate a number of dating apps, including Bumble & Lumen. He studied an MA in Computational Biology at the University of York, and went on to take a PhD in Computational Biology at University of London, before entering the job market, working for the likes of YouGov before settling at MagicLab, where he has worked since January 2020. This is...

Alyson Webb is a Director at Frankly Green + Webb, an agency specialising in human-centred design to improve digital experiences in the cultural sector. Listen as Kate gets to the bottom of what Alyson's job looks like. They cover working in the cultural sector, digital experiences, human-centred design thinking, consultancy and more! Alyson's bio: Alyson has worked in the cultural sector...

Kate Every works as a Service Design Practice Lead for global digital transformation company Mastek. Service design is a really interesting area of work that's getting more and more attention. Find out what this job actually involves and how you can get a job in this exciting area! Kate's bio: Kate is a Lead Service Designer specialising in inclusive and ethical design and delivery. She cu...

Dan is a York graduate and works at National Grid where he completed a year in industry before becoming a Transmission Engineer. Dan tells us what his day to day job looks like as well as what you need to know if you're thinking about a career in this area. Dan's bio: I am a Transmission Engineer at National Grid working on design assurance of the protection and control system. I attended...

Elizabeth studied History of Art and thought she'd go into museum curation, until she discovered the amazing world of consultancy in the heritage sector! She helps museums, theatres and galleries solve problems... everything from how to boost visitor numbers to launching new learning programmes. If you have always wanted to work in heritage and you're interested in what makes people tick,...