Mickey Talks Jobs

How do you get into marketing if you don’t have any experience yet?

In this episode of Mickey Talks Jobs, I speak to Penny Brough, Chief Marketing Officer at UKTV, about the different routes into marketing — and why a degree isn’t always essential.

We talk apprenticeships, internships, building your own experience, creating a portfolio, using AI to practise, and one of the biggest frustrations for young people starting out: how do you get experience when every job seems to ask for it?

Penny also shares what actually impresses her when she interviews people, why preparation matters, and how small opportunities can become stepping stones towards the career you really want.

If you’re interested in marketing but unsure how to get your foot in the door, this one is packed with practical advice.

Mickey Talks Jobs helps young people find the job that’s right for them — faster.

What actually is marketing — and what does a career in it really look like?

In this episode of Mickey Talks Jobs, I speak to Penny Brough, Chief Marketing Officer at UKTV, to break marketing down in simple terms.

We talk about how brands understand audiences, how advertising influences what we notice and buy, the difference between creative and analytical roles, and what working in marketing can look like across agencies and in-house teams.

Penny also explains the kind of personality that can thrive in marketing, why curiosity matters, and how the best marketers combine creativity with data and commercial thinking.

If you’re considering a career in marketing but don’t really know what the job involves, this is a great place to start.

Mickey Talks Jobs helps young people find the job that’s right for them — faster.

How do you know what career is right for you when you’re 16, 17 or 18 and still figuring out who you are?

In this episode of Mickey Talks Jobs, I speak to Penny Brough, Chief Marketing Officer at UKTV, about her own journey from school to senior leadership — and why she believes careers are rarely as linear as we imagine.

We talk about not having everything mapped out, being underestimated, building self-belief, and one of Penny’s best pieces of advice: pay attention to what gives you energy and what drains it.

If you’re leaving education and feeling pressure to have your future all worked out, this one is for you.

Because the dream job isn’t always the job you expect — and sometimes the best way forward is simply to understand yourself a little better.

Mickey Talks Jobs helps young people find the job that’s right for them — faster.

The conversation covers Andy's career transition from corporate banking to primary school teaching, highlighting the motivations and challenges involved. It also explores the day-to-day life of a primary school teacher and the fulfillment derived from the role. A passionate and insightful conversation with Andy Ross, a teacher, about the joys and challenges of teaching, the importance of flexibility and experience in education, and the value of pursuing a fulfilling career. Andy's journey from the corporate world to teaching highlights the significance of following one's passion and inspiring others to do the same.

Takeaways

• Career transitions can be driven by a desire for greater fulfillment and impact.
• Teaching is a multifaceted role that requires adaptability and a deep understanding of various subjects. Passion for teaching
• Importance of flexibility and experience in education

Chapters

• 00:00 Career Transition: From Banking to Teaching
• 02:08 Early Career Aspirations and Business Focus
• 03:59 Transition to Finance and Role in Real Estate Finance
• 06:33 Tasks and Responsibilities in Real Estate Finance
• 08:21 Attributes and Best Parts of the Job
• 10:19 Motivations for Career Change
• 15:31 Transition to Teaching and Training
• 19:43 Experience as a Primary School Teacher
• 20:36 The Joys of Teaching
• 25:25 Challenges and Flexibility in Education
• 29:32 Career Change and Pursuing Passion
• 33:36 Inspiring Others and Embracing Change

My guest today is Shama — Baroness Shah — a member of the House of Lords, former teacher, and head of the Labour Office at the Local Government Association.

She grew up in Wembley, became a teacher, and never in a million years imagined she'd end up in one of the most powerful political chambers in the world voting on laws that affect every single person in this country.

But her journey there is one of the most honest, warm and inspiring conversations I've had on this channel — and what she has to say to young people about careers, the job market and not losing hope is something everyone needs to hear right now.

In this conversation we cover:

• What the House of Lords actually is and what Shama does there day to day
• The real difference between a solicitor and a barrister — from someone who makes the laws
• Why she walked away from teaching and what happened next
• What the government is actually doing about the youth jobs crisis
• Why a degree isn't always the answer — and what she tells her own daughter
• Her message to every young person who feels like the system isn't working for them

This is one of the most eye opening conversations I've had on Mickey Talks Jobs. Whether you're interested in politics, teaching, law or just trying to figure out where to start — Shama's story will genuinely inspire you.

🎙️ Mickey Talks Jobs exists to help young people find a career they'll actually enjoy, faster. No jargon. No corporate answers. Just real conversations with real people.

🔔 Subscribe for a new guest every week.

#HouseOfLords #CareerAdvice #MickeyTalksJobs #Politics #UKJobs

My guest today is Alex. He's the Multi Property Director of Human Resources at Marriott International — one of the biggest hotel groups in the world. He's been in the hospitality industry for nearly 30 years.

But it started with six months in a kitchen in Paris, washing lettuces for two hours straight, secretly speaking French to a team of chefs who thought they could push him around. That moment changed everything.

Alex's story is one of the most compelling I've heard about how a career can grow from the most unexpected starting point — and why hospitality is one of the most underrated industries a young person can walk into.

In this conversation we cover:

• What a career in hospitality actually looks like from the inside
• Every route into the industry — degrees, apprenticeships, and starting from scratch
• Why Alex thinks degree apprentices will outperform traditional graduates every time
• What hospitality actually pays — and the figures will surprise you
• What Alex looks for when hiring and what makes someone stand out
• Why the perception of hospitality as a dead end career is just plain wrong

Whether you think hospitality isn't for you, you're not sure what to do after school, or you're just starting out — Alex's story will make you think twice.

🎙️ Mickey Talks Jobs exists to help young people find a career they'll actually enjoy, faster. No jargon. No corporate answers. Just real conversations with real people.

🔔 Subscribe for a new guest every week.

#Hospitality #CareerAdvice #MickeyTalksJobs #HospitalityCareers #UKJobs

If you've ever wondered "what do laywers actually do?" then you need to listen to this. Emma, a solicitor with over 20 years of experience, shares her journey from a modest upbringing to becoming a successful legal professional. In this chat, we explore her early influences, the challenges she faced, and the insights she gained along the way. This is a must listen for any young person thinking about a career in Law

Advertising is something people hear about but very few know the inner workings of an ad agency. James unpacks all the different role types. We also discuss how diverse the industry really is. James also talks us through how he was rejected multiple times by the industry but then worked his way to the very top!

If you've ever considered getting into the ad industry, this is a MUST listen

My guest today is Sarah. She's a social worker with 18 years experience in child protection, based in the north west of England. But her journey to get there was anything but direct.

She did a psychology degree she didn't know what to do with, moved to New York chasing wealth and success, came home with no clear plan, and spent years drifting through jobs wondering what she actually wanted. Then something clicked.

Today she leads a team of social workers at a local authority — one of the most important and underappreciated jobs in the country.

In this conversation we cover:

• What social work actually is and all the different types of roles within it
• Why Sarah chose people over money — and has never looked back
• What a typical day really looks like in child protection
• What the salary ranges are at every level
• What she looks for when hiring and what puts her off instantly
• What she'd tell her 18 year old self about careers and pressure

Whether you're thinking about social work, not sure what you want to do, or just figuring out how to find a career that actually means something — Sarah's story is a brilliant one.

🎙️ Mickey Talks Jobs exists to help young people find a career they'll actually enjoy, faster. No jargon. No corporate answers. Just real conversations with real people.

🔔 Subscribe for a new guest every week.

#SocialWork #CareerAdvice #MickeyTalksJobs #UKJobs #CareerInspiration

Today's guest is Amanda, a Chartered Psychologist turned entrepreneur. Amanda unpacks psychology as a career and the routes into it, what it's like to be a psychologist - the good and the bad and gives her tips for young people entering into work. If you are thinking about studying psychology or want to become a psychologist then this is a MUST listen. Enjoy