UofG Sound Tracks

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 most of new tools and apps and how AI can function as a thinking partner, freeing up your time for generating new ideas.  

Melvin has some top tips on how to prepare yourself for landing that international role you had always dreamed of. He shares his experience of arriving in China, with no Mandarin, and turning to technology to survive – learning very quickly how to order food on delivery apps.  

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 week is the same in this hugely varied job! 

Kirsty landed her first job at V&A after a string of rejections, and she shares her sound advice on how to shine in the competitive museum sector. Kirsty shares how to get the most out of volunteering and work experience to ensure you build your expertise and don’t feel exploited.  

Kirsty’s passion for curating and telling stories through objects shines through in this episode! 

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 technology within the UN, the projects he leads are seismic and have global impact, such as understanding the financing and travel of terrorists. 

Salem provides a fascinating insight into how the proliferation and development of technology impacts the work of the UN and discusses the topics that will confront humanity in the future, from human rights and ethics in AI, to cyber security and how to govern technology. 

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 application and interview process clear and simple, but it took her a few attempts before landing her first role. Taking on feedback and persevering paid off, resulting in an environment she finds supportive, open, and filled with opportunities. Claire shares her tips for mastering the STAR approach to applications and how to build up a bank of examples that showcase your skills and experience.  

Cristina has worked in several high-profile departments including the cabinet office and the treasury and hasn’t shied away from challenging policy topics, such as crisis including Brexit, covid and climate change. Throughout the episode, she shares her knowledge of government, introduces us to civil service culture, and explains what team dynamics she thrives in. As she's progressed, Cristina has learnt to have confidence in her knowledge and skills whilst not being afraid to ask questions of the experts. Her advice to herself? Put less pressure on yourself, be kinder, and avoid comparing yourself to others. 

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 application and interview process clear and simple, but it took her a few attempts before landing her first role. Taking on feedback and persevering paid off, resulting in an environment she finds supportive, open, and filled with opportunities. Claire shares her tips for mastering the STAR approach to applications and how to build up a bank of examples that showcase your skills and experience.  

Cristina has worked in several high-profile departments including the cabinet office and the treasury and hasn’t shied away from challenging policy topics, such as crisis including Brexit, covid and climate change. Throughout the episode, she shares her knowledge of government, introduces us to civil service culture, and explains what team dynamics she thrives in. As she's progressed, Cristina has learnt to have confidence in her knowledge and skills whilst not being afraid to ask questions of the experts. Her advice to herself? Put less pressure on yourself, be kinder, and avoid comparing yourself to others. 

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 for the first time, which gave him the opportunity to start experimenting with TV production, filming live music sessions and creating editorial pieces with presenters. With this experience he made the move to Head of Video at Somethin’ Else, making TV for BBC, Sky Arts, during the explosion of visual content in the early 00s. He made BAFTA winning tv and built a business which was eventually bought by Sony Music.

While Ian’s success is evident of his hard work, he’s not afraid to share his top tips that have helped get him to where he is today. Listen for interview pointers, what he looks for in recruiting new staff, and practical advice that’ll help you stand out from the crowd. We learn how he manages pressure, and why it’s worth trusting your gut. He is a strong believer in collaborative working, and that involving others at every stage can help take an idea from good to great.

Finally, Ian reflects on the change he has seen over the last 20 years within the industry. Learn how this change has shaped career opportunities available to students and recent graduates, including his sense that there are more roles than ever in TV as it continues to experience a boom.

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 40-minute episode. Her drive for creating positive impact for people and communities is a core tenet to her work, a strength she recognises in herself. We learn the qualities she considers important in a management role like her own, the buzz she gets from influencing policy and civil servants, and how global challenges have led her to embrace new ways of working.

This episode is jam-packed with career advice, from top tips for smashing the early recruitment stages, through to identifying skills that help leverage leadership opportunities. Plus, we learn why young people should get involved trustee roles, which Kirsten describes as super CV boosters!

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. It’s a unique example of taking science communications to places you wouldn’t expect to subvert expectations and reach new audiences. In addition to public speaking and writing, Zara highlights the importance of listening to help get to know your audience, and explains how important it is to empathise with the groups and researchers she works with.

To the listener, she offers some fantastic life advice to help balance our time and commitments: It's okay to say no, and it’s okay to ask for help. Know your limits, remember — nobody benefits from working crazy hours.

Her proudest career achievement is a surprising one... have a listen to find out!

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 it as telling a story — a story that puts Glasgow at the centre of science and research and one that she is passionate about telling. Laura's take away message for listeners is that Glasgow can offer a wide breadth of opportunities in science comms and engagement roles.

Listen out for Laura describing her ‘scientific approach to networking’, she felt as a scientist that networking didn’t come naturally to her, so she developed her own step-by-step process for making connection and getting the most out of her professional network.

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 explains how museums and the cultural sector need people with a diverse range of skills and experiences, from retail, IT and cyber security, to community engagement and education. She encourages listeners to be open to new ideas and to take time to reflect on their own skills and interests throughout their career.

Laura also explores some of the current challenges facing the museum sector, including adjusting to a post-covid landscape and the impact of the cost-of-living crisis.

With years of recruitment experience, Laura shares what she looks for in candidates, including passion, curiosity, initiative and integrity. She shares her unique for advice for making the most of networking opportunities (even when you feel out of place) and busts some myths around working in museums.