So, what do you actually do?
I head up our external affairs and communications team. That includes everything from looking after our PR, advertising and marketing to producing annual reports, building relationships with other organisations and planning events. I also manage three other staff which keeps me occupied!
How did you get into it?
I had originally set my sights on being a journalist and started along that career path. But I soon found that what I really enjoyed was less the writing side and more about meeting and finding ways of helping people. This led directly to a communications position at the charity.
What does your typical day involve?
It’s a cliché, but no two days are the same! If we take today as an example, I’ve already had one meeting to look at a possible creative route for our upcoming advertising campaign. I’ve talked to our printer on the phone about when I can expect the first copies of our new annual report in. I’ve updated www.youngscot.net which is our corporate website, and sent about five emails to different companies and organisations that are keen to work with us.
What’s been your biggest achievement in this job?
Over the last couple of years we’ve created the Young Scot Awards in partnership with the Sunday Mail. The awards give recognition to young people who have made a real difference in their communities. It’s been a huge project for us, working with a large media company and getting so many other organisations and sponsors involved and then helping to organise the event itself, which is a red-carpet, massive affair with around 500 guests. But seeing the nominations coming in, reading about all the amazing things thousands of young people all over Scotland are doing and then seeing the winners receiving their awards on the night is a great feeling.
What are the best things about your job?
You do this job because you want to try and help people and give them a better chance in life. I’m sure there’s similar jobs for big banks and insurers where you could probably make twice the money but I don’t think I’d find the same enjoyment in my job if the motivation was profits and not improving people’s lives.
Where do you see your career heading in the future?
It will certainly still be in the voluntary sector. Being a member of our operational management team I’m also getting increasingly involved in the strategic direction of the organisation, which is something I enjoy. So hopefully in the future I’ll play a larger part in this which will give me an even greater opportunity to improve the lives and opportunities of young people across Scotland.