What is your job and what does your job involve?

I work as a subject support librarian for the Faculty of Business and Law at UWE Bristol. My responsibilities include providing information and academic skills support for students in Bristol and abroad. I find my current job to be essential in the current age of fake news and misinformation. The library helps the students develop the critical thinking and research skills necessary to be independent and succeed, not just in getting good grades, but in making informed decisions about work and life. Many students don’t realise how important these skills are until they leave university.

I’m not a traditional librarian as I barely work with books. Most of my day-to-day involves designing tutorials and delivering workshops, coming up with new ways of teaching through alternative formats such as games and interaction, as well as answering questions from students and academics.

The best part of my work is helping students get amazing grades, feeling that I’m making a positive contribution to their lives. The worst part is not being able to reach some students, feeling that I could have done better.

How did you end up doing what you are doing?

I didn’t always know what I wanted to do. I liked people, change and diversity. I wanted an adventure, a challenge. I wanted to travel.

For a long time I was very scared to stand-up for myself and make decisions, but one day I ditched my boyfriend and packed my bags not knowing where I was going. I haven’t stopped moving since.

I studied History and Education in Spain, then considered studying for a PhD but, at the time, it didn’t feel right as it would have involved not making any money for a long time and I was desperate to become independent. My mum suggested I study Librarianship and, without any hesitation, I moved to Madrid to complete this programme.

Shortly after completing my degree, I got a job as a research analyst for an American consultancy firm. This is how I began my career investigating companies for a living. The job paid well and it was really fun at first. Then four years later my grandfather passed away and I started questioning my career choices. I decided to work towards leading a happier, healthier and more fulfilling life. I sold all my belongings, bought an airplane ticket and landed in India for a 6 month sabbatical. During my travels I realised I wanted to study more and discovered a university programme at SOAS University of London (School of Oriental and African Studies) that blew my mind. So I moved to London, found a few jobs to recover financially until the opportunity to study at SOAS came up. This is how I earned an MA in Indian Religions, one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life.

As I was handing in my dissertation, a job opportunity came up to work at a city hedge fund. I didn’t really want the job -I was hoping to change careers- but the money was too tempting and initially just a temporary maternity cover. The person, however, never returned to her job and consequently I was offered a permanent role with a promotion and double the salary. I felt compelled to stay, not a happy choice. Eventually I gather enough strength to quit this job and study again, marry, have a baby (the second most empowering experience of my life) and eventually move to Bristol.

At last UWE gave me the opportunity to change careers and work in a field where I felt I was making a difference. University radiates this sense of promise of a future full of possibilities. I love teaching and I love Academia (my morning shower song is Gaudeamus Igitur), and the only life-goal left for me to achieve is obtaining a PhD. I love studying, but only when I get to focus on a subject that I’m passionate about. I care about money, but not enough to stay in a job that makes me miserable.

***In case you’re wondering Gaudeamus Igitur is a traditional university song -usually sung at graduation ceremonies- that talks about enjoying life and seizing the moment while we’re young.

Personality traits, and how they fit into the work environment

I’m resourceful and creative, I don’t just think but live outside of the box. Moving to different countries has made me open and sociable. I believe you have to do your best to build a community wherever you are, no matter how long you plan to stay there.

My varied corporate experience has given me a unique set of transferable skills, particularly around lateral thinking and problem-solving, something which has proven to be very useful in Academia.

The personality test suggests I’m an eagle, wow! All I can say about that is that I wasn’t always an eagle.

My professional journey proves that you can change your mind and take detours to get what you want. Life goals reveal themselves slowly, and knowing what you want might take a while. Don’t ever feel you have to decide who you are and what you’re going to do at the age of 18. Give yourself the space to grow, seize the moment and sing Gaudeamus!