The Wings of Hope children’s charity proudly introduces you to some of our amazing mentors who will be taking part in Speed Mentoring: The Next Generation….
A welcome message from the organisers
Smruti:
When I was at school, I had a real passion for science and helping people, and so thought medicine would be a great career for me. However with a last minute change to my UCAS, I went on to study Philosophy, Politics and Economics at Oxford University. I realised that I enjoyed solving problems be it in the commercial or social sphere. I have been with the Supreme Group for four years now, where I run a team which sells eco friendly packaging to supermarkets and brands across Europe including Tesco, Topshop and Nike. In my gap year I set up WOHAA with my friends and am so happy that over 17,000 students have taken part already. I love to sing everywhere (including the shower) but most of all with my acapella group. Below are some of the profiles of the mentors I have gathered for you. Enjoy reading about them and see you on Sunday 11th November.
WOHAA Team
Janelle:
I am the Assistant Schools Programmes Co-ordinator at the Wings of Hope. I studied Theology at Oxford University and then went on to do an MA in International Relations at King’s College London. I’ve always valued education and it really excites me that my job involves empowering ambitious young students in not one, but three different countries!
Kim:
I work as the Assistant Digital Marketing Co-ordinator for the Wings of Hope, I have a passion for digital communication and design. I have previously worked in marketing and events for some major UK music venues and festivals. I studied Media and Popular Culture at Leeds Metropolitan, during my time at university I took time out to travel which turned out to be the best decision I ever made. I didn’t know what I wanted to be until I graduated nothing is set in stone the important thing is to get experience and do something you enjoy.
Accountancy
Sagar:
After graduating from LSE with a degree in Politics and Economics, I started my career at Ernst & Young where I qualified as a Chartered Accountant and spent 5 years in Corporate Finance and Consultancy working in the UK, Libya and Qatar. I then helped establish the Tedder Family Office including the Tedder Family Office’s private equity investment vehicle, Locomotive Capital. In my current role, I am helping an Indian Family Office make private equity investments in Asia, Europe and Africa.
Acting/Musical Theatre/Dance
Gabriella:
Gabriella graduated from Oxford in 2007 and has since been writing songs for a children’s website and children’s cartoon, writing musicals, performing stand up comedy, taking shows to Edinburgh Fringe Festival, teaching singing and piano, taking part in Radio Podcast, auditioning for film roles, and singing with bands. She would be happy to share her experience in any of these fields.
Follow on Twitter: @gabriellaburnel
Matt:
Matt is an actor, writer and comedian. He has performed all over the world from New York Comedy clubs to the Japanese National theatre, with two Edinburgh festivals, Latitude, Bestival and Glastonbury thrown in, too. He has appeared on BBC 1, Channel 4, Comedy Central and Radio 4 and also had a book published last year called the Gap Yah Plannah, based on a YouTube clip he made that went viral.
Follow on Twitter: @MrMattLacey
Rupal:
I studied Business Management at Cass Business School then did a Law conversion at BPP Law school doing the GDL and LPC. I’m a professional dancer/dance teacher/Legal Consultant. I’m currently working as a Legal Consultant for an investment firm in London. Also teaching dance classes every evening around London slowly building my own dance school. Since I was little I’ve always wanted to be a dancer and have my own dance school. Getting there now. Advice I wish I had been given at school: you don’t have to make one choice, or take one path in your career. It’ll always be changing, you’ll always be able to do more than one thing so don’t feel you have to stick to the choices you make as a teenager.
Architecture
Manan:
I studied Architecture at the University of Westminster and Nottingham University, and am still in the process of training as a Chartered Architect. I have worked on a variety of projects, ranging from residential extensions and new-builds, to schools and leisure complexes, and have just started a new project at a football club.
Rand:
I studied at the University of Nottingham, and I am training to become a Chartered Architect. I work in a firm specialising in Educational Institutes such as Colleges and Academies around London and the South East. I always wanted to do something art related and chose Architecture as it combines both the Arts and the Sciences.
Civil Service/Government
Nitika:
I work at Her Majesty’s Treasury. I started as an Assistant Economist, where I was representing the UK in European Negotiations on financial services legislation. I currently work for the Director General for International Finance who is the key advisor to the Chancellor on issues such as the European crisis, G20 discussions and European banking regulation. I love what I do and rollerblade to work in the mornings.
Alex:
I studied English Literature at Cambridge University. After graduating, I worked for the Conservative Party in its Research Department for four years before joining 10 Downing Street as a Special Adviser to the Prime Minister last year.
Dentistry
Rajan:
I studied Biomedical Sciences at Queen Mary’s University after which I went on to study dentistry at King’s College London on a shorter, four year conversion programme. I’m in year three now and choosing to study dentistry has been the best choice for me; I already treat my own patients as if I were working in a dental practice while learning at the same time. The course is very hands-on and never fails to excite me!
Binita
I studied dentistry at University of Newcastle for 5 years, followed by my VT (Vocational Training) year in Sunderland. After picking up a Geordie accent, I returned to London where I have been working for over 2 years as an associate in a busy NHS and private dental practice!
DJing
AJ:
AJ is a presenter for KISS FM, What’s up? (PickTV) and club DJ. AJ beat thousands of hopefuls in the ‘chosen one’ competition run by KISS FM for a primetime slot on the station.
Follow on Twitter: @AJKINGtweets
Economics
Sagar:
I studied Economics at Oxford and the LSE. I currently work for think-tank called the new economics foundation, where I do research on the economics of happiness and develop policies to try improve human well-being in a sustainable way. I previously worked as an economist at the Bank of England. I try not to take life too seriously, and spend a worryingly large amount of time scratching my beard.
Follow on Twitter: @SagarKiritShah
Varun:
I studied Economics at school because I wanted to understand more about the way the world works: Why are modern buildings are made of glass? Why do some people choose to take the tube, while others take the bus? School stoked my interest and I studied Economics at university. When I left, I took a graduate job at the Bank of England where I still work today.
Engineering
Neil:
Went to a comprehensive school and then did engineering at Cambridge. I spent 2 years working on hydrogen fuel cells in a start-up after uni. I now develop cutting-edge technology at The Technology Partnership for clients around the world – my company designs everything from biomedical implants to beer dispensers.
Nabori:
I graduated from MIT with a degree in aerospace engineering, after which I joined Motus Corporation as a research and development engineer working on motion sensing and control systems for sports, medicine, and gaming. For the past few years I have been working for Siemens SES, developing software for CAD systems that enable advanced composite design for the aerospace, wind, and automotive industries.
Entreprenuer
Tom:
I am CEO of a fast-growing technology company, Raising IT, making a difference to the world by powering charity websites to raise more money. We have over 50 clients including some of the largest charities such as Macmillan, UNICEF and the RSPCA. I’m a graduate in English Literature from Oxford.
Follow on Twitter: @tomlatchford
Shalini:
Shalini is Co-Founder, Chief Executive and Board Director of The London Entrepreneurial Exchange (LEE) a not for profit organisation ‘for entrepreneurs, by entrepreneurs’ that seeks to formulate partnerships with selected entrepreneurial organizations and corporate institutions to promote entrepreneurial activity. LEE’s board includes Sir Richard Branson Founder of the Virgin Group, Brent Hoberman of lastminute.com, the MOBO Group’s Kanya King and Duncan Bannatyne from Dragon’s Den.
Investment Banking: Trading & Equity Research
Carl:
I studied Genetics at UCL and currently work in Equity Research at an Investment Bank. Prior to this I spent some time working on my own start-up, so have a broad background in terms of education and experience.
Mayan:
I studied Politics, Philosophy and Economics at Oxford. I have experience in Mergers and Acquisitions and Equity Research. Reach out to me if you are interested in exploring a career in Investment Banking.
Jerome:
I studied economics and management after leaving university 4 years ago, I joined an American investment bank within their equities department, advising institutional investors (hedge funds, pension funds, mutual funds, sovereign wealth funds) which shares to buy and sell with the UK and European stock market. When I was young I wanted to be a rock star…which clearly didn’t happen but do at least go to lots of concerts!
Investment Banking:
Corporate Finance
Ian:
I studied Politics, Philosophy and Economics at Oxford University from 2005-2008. Upon graduating I joined Goldman Sachs within the Healthcare Investment Banking team where I’ve worked for the last 4 years across a variety of sub-sectors in multiple geographies. I’m a keen sailor, and in May this year successfully completed an 800 mile doubled handed race to the Fastnet Rock and back.
Fashion/HR
Nana:
I am an HR professional with 9 years experience in people management and development; the last 7 of which have been spent managing the HR function for Fashion Fair Beauty Products European division. I studied Law at Brunel University, and left university having absolutely no idea about what I wanted to do career wise. Various voluntary and paid work experiences in different industries lead me to becoming the HR professional I am today. My first job was working as a junior in a hair salon on Saturdays, and I never imagined then that I would be doing what I am doing now. I live by the mantra that if you aim high and work hard, anything is possible.
Health and Social Care
Toral:
I currently work for Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children as an Improvement Advisor and I also manage Paediatric Palliative Care services (end of life care for children). I was always drawn to healthcare provision and problem solving and after trying 10 different work experiences, I finally settled on a BSc in Business Mathematics and Statistics from the London School of Economics. After graduating, I worked in a number of NHS organisations as an internal management consultant, which involves advising clinical staff on how to improve operational and clinical processes for patients. The best piece of advice I got was the following; ‘Choosing a career is like choosing your favourite chocolate – you never know which one you will like the most until you try it’
Venture Capital and Private Equity
Sheena:
I studied Philosophy, Politics and Economics at Oxford University. For the past 3 years I have been working in the Venture Capital and Private Equity industry at Summit Partners, a $15 billion growth equity investment firm. I am passionate about entrepreneurship and started my own business, UniVentures, when I was a student at Oxford. I am also a Trustee of Young Enterprise, a UK charity that helps young people learn first-hand what it means to be an entrepreneur. I am looking forward to meeting you all and sharing my story with you!
Ben:
Ben studied Philosophy, Politics, and Economics, at Lincoln College, Oxford before joining the international management consultancy firm McKinsey & Co. In his time at McKinsey, Ben worked primarily on business unit strategy, and private equity transactions across several geographies including; Belgium, Germany, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the USA. Ben is now based at Elliott Advisors a multiple strategy investment fund that has been actively investing for more than 34 years and currently has in excess of US$20bn of equity capital. Elliott has offices in New York, London, Tokyo and Hong Kong, and Ben focuses on Real Estate and structured credit opportunities in the UK and Europe region.
Interior Design
Karen:
After a successful career in Advertising, I decided to self train as an Interior Designer. I have had great success working on a number of multi million pound properties, and have had my work published on the web.
Journalism (Broadcast)
Babita:
Hi, I’m a Journalist/Presenter for BBC News TV & Radio. I’ve been with the BBC for more than 10 years covering breaking news for both our international and domestic rolling news services.
Follow me @BabitaBBC on Twitter.
Leo:
Having been with the BBC for over 13 years, Leo has a vast experience in producing and directing. Leo started his career off as a broadcast journalist after completing his degree at Edinburgh University. He then became a producer and director for BBC Scotland and worked for Newsnight Scotland. For the past 7 years, Leo has been the Business and Economics Producer for BBC World Business Report and BBC World News. In 2003 Leo won the British Environment and Media Award for Best Television News and Current Affairs Coverage for a report on Newfoundland’s fishing industry.
Rebecca:
I studied English Literature and Classics at Edinburgh University following a year working for an MP in Westminster over the 2005 general election. After my degree I played in politics a little more before making the switch to print journalism, blagging my way into the Press Gallery in parliament in time for the 2010 election. I have recently completed an MA in broadcast journalism and am now a freelance radio reporter and newsreader for Russian global service radio and a researcher for BBC’s Radio 4.
Landscape Gardening
Rhoda:
I never knew what I wanted to do at school, so chose a degree in Communications; a subject which interested me. I then spent 20 years in the Video and Graphic Design industries before returning to college to start on a new career in Garden Design. Just remember that the choice you make now is not for life and you can always change direction along the way.
Law: Solicitor
Harry:
Having failed in my childhood ambition of representing Team GB at some kind of sport, I reluctantly decided to get a proper job in corporate law and have recently qualified as a solicitor at Slaughter and May. Before that I studied geography at Oxford University and flirted with accountancy and investment banking.
Deepak:
I studied Law at UCL and spent nearly 5 years in private practice, qualifying as a Litigator. I have recently moved in house as Legal Counsel for a financial institution. This has allowed me to pursue my interest of financial regulation and to learn more of and deal with commercial practical issues faced by FSA authorised firms.
Linzi:
I studied Law at Kings College London and have spent nearly 4 years working for the international law firm Clifford Chance. I specialise in Private Equity Mergers and Acquisitions. I spent a year studying in Holland as part of my degree, worked for 6 months in Dubai and spent 7 months travelling around the world during the gap between my studies and starting working, so it goes without saying that I love to travel. My first job was on the Customer Service Desk at my local Tesco.
Law
Adam:
I toyed with the idea of being a barrister while at school and while studying Philosophy, Politics, and Economics at Oxford, but only decided to go for it after working in online retail, management consulting and a skiing chalet as a cook. I completed the Law Conversion Course last year and am currently doing the Bar Course. I’m looking to do a mixture of all sorts of non-criminal law, though I should be able to answer your questions about criminal law too. Looking forward to meeting you all!
Marketing/ Advertising
Kate:
I studied Modern History at Oxford University and, following a masters degree in Architectural History and a stint in museums and curating, decided to swap buildings for brands and move into Market Research. I now work as a Research Executive at Basis Research Ltd, focusing on the Qualitative side. At Basis I’ve worked on some great projects, both in the UK and internationally, for brands such as Boots, Discovery, Disney and Tesco. I think that Qualitative Research is a great career for anyone who’s interested in brands and wants to combine an academic background with a general nosiness about people and their behaviour.
Maya:
After graduating from a physics degree at Oxford, I joined WCRS which is part of The Engine Group. I have spent two years there in two different roles: as an account manager and a strategist. My favourite campaign we did was the 118 118 boys.Check outtheenginegroup.com.
Follow on Twitter: @maya_ross
Medicine
Lucy:
After years of running around as a child with my plastic “doctor’s kit” I finally reached my dream of reading medicine at both Oxford University and University College London! I have now completed my two years training as a junior doctor and am now specialising in General Practice. One of my interests lies in international health; I’ve been lucky enough to practice in Nepal, and I’m hoping to spend a year abroad as part of my training.
Mandy:
I’ve wanted to be a Doctor since I was a little girl and luckily I succeeded. After 6 amazing years at Imperial College London, I graduated with a degree in medicine and an additional BSc in Gastroenterology. I’ve been a qualified Doctor for over 3 years now and I currently work in Paediatrics, looking after children. I am halfway through my specialist training in General Practice and I am reallyexcited about becoming a GP.
Music (Artist)
James:
I’m in a band called The Insomniax and we’re signed to a record label called Earnest Endeavours. I songwrite/produce and consult for other artists. We are currently performing in and around London music from our EP “Love She Wants” and will be touring next year. I’m lucky enough to be doing exactly what I dreamed of doing when I was little.
Follow on Twitter: @SydneyVelvet
Oxford and Cambridge University Desk
Ashni:
I studied Philosophy, Politics and Economics at University College, Oxford. I still believe that this is one of the best courses (and not just because I studied it!) because it opened up so many doors and potential career paths following university. I had a fantastic time at Oxford and am looking forward to talking to you about my experiences there. I then studied for another two years at BPP Law School in London completing a law conversion course (this compresses a law degree into one year), and the Legal Practice Course. For the past two years, I have been training to become a solicitor with Simmons & Simmons, working in various departments within the firm including tax, employment and our Abu Dhabi office.
Meenal:
I studied Chemical Engineering at university, which gave me the opportunity to do several industrial internships in research and development over the summers. I found I enjoyed the challenge of doing research so I decided to go back into academia after graduating and do a PhD. My current research focusses on using various imaging techniques, like X-rays and MRI, to better understand how chemical reactors work in order to optimise the design of them.
Pharmacy
Ekta:
I am a newly qualified pharmacist working in the community sector. After graduating from King’s College London, I completed my Pre-registration year in an independent pharmacy earlier this year. I always enjoyed science at school and it’s important to have this passion throughout the university course. I’ll be happy to answer any questions you have so please feel free to visit me at my table.
Psychology:
Simon:
I have been working as a Clinical Neuropsychologist for the NHS within a community based neuro-rehabilitation service, since finishing a doctoral training programme at the University of Oxford in clinical psychology. It can take approximately 5-7 years to qualify as a clinical psychologist after graduating from your undergraduate degree. Between graduation and clinical training you are expected to work as an assistant psychologist and perhaps do postgraduate study. Competition is fierce, but it is well worth the fight. Clinical psychologists are well sought after in an NHS which pays increasing notice to the importance of mental health and emotional well-being in all aspects of healthcare.
PR
Mark:
I studied Communication and Media at Bournemouth University and got into PR and social media when Twitter was still unknown. For the past five years I have been working for social media and PR agencies across London working with clients such as Microsoft, Sony, BlackBerry, T.G.I. Friday’s, The Office of Fair Trading and Coca Cola. I fell into PR almost by accident as I really had no idea what I wanted to do at Uni.
Follow on Twitter: @mark_wyatt
Ryan:
Having studied Marketing and Media at London South Bank University, I began my career in PR via a short stint in advertising. Three years ago I joined JCPR, Edelman’s consumer arm where I am now an Account Manager, prior to that I spent three years at specialist B2B technology agency. Since joining JCPR I’ve had the pleasure of working on some amazing accounts such as Motorola, London 2012, Xbox EMEA and PokerStars.
Follow on Twitter @ryan_whelan
Mary:
I began my PR career interning at various boutique agencies whilst reading French Studies at Warwick University. Upon completing my degree, I joined Edelman on the Graduate Scheme. Here I was lucky enough to experience the different departments of PR, finally nestling into JCPR – the consumer practice. My current clients include DIAGEO, PayPal and Shell.
Follow on Twitter: @maryfizzy
Property/ Investment
Rachel:
I am an Investment Manager for Grosvenor, which is a private international company that invests in, develops and manages property. I studied Anthropology (completely unrelated to property) at Cambridge, and then started as a graduate five years ago while doing a sponsored masters in Real Estate at Reading. Now as a qualified surveyor my role is to buy commercial and residential properties in Central London – it involves financial and legal knowledge along with good negotiation skills!
Simon:
I’ve always made a habit of turning up in strange places, and now I find myself in the financial services industry. My first job after university was selling power tools out of a ford transit, and at the age of 27 I retrained as a financial adviser. I help companies set up staff pensions and also look after financial investments. No career path is permanent, just get as much experience as possible and find out what gets you excited.
Property/ Surveying
Toby:
Toby studied Mechanical Engineering at Bristol University before doing a conversion Masters degree in Real Estate at Cass Business School. He joined Knight Frank in 2006 on the graduate training program, qualified as a Chartered Surveyor in 2008 and is currently an Associate Partner in the West End Investment Team following time in Knight Frank’s Moscow office. He advises a broad spectrum of clients on Investment and development opportunities and transactions including Grosvenor, The Crown Estate, AVIVA and PruPim.
Follow on Twitter: @TobiasHLEvans
Publishing
Kris:
Kris’ first taste of publishing came in the summer of 2007, when he spent two months working as an intern at McSweeney’s in San Francisco. In 2008, after graduating with a BA in English Language and Literature from Oxford, he began working for Peters Fraser & Dunlop, one of the UK’s leading literary agencies. He moved to the editorial department of Picador in the spring of 2009. Now an editor, he works with a wide range of authors on fiction, non-fiction and poetry books. Clueless about job prospects until the aforementioned summer of 2007, he still can’t quite believe that he’s found a way to make a living from reading.
Bella:
I studied Modern Languages at Oxford University, and spent a brilliant year living and working in Spain as part of my course. Since moving to London in 2010, I have done various jobs in the book industry and currently work in the editorial department of a publishing house – it’s a really varied industry where you could spend all day reading an amazing new book or meeting an author or wondering whether or not to delete a comma!
Research/ Science/ Academia
Katrina:
I gained a Masters in Biochemistry from the University of Oxford, after which I went straight into a Cell Biology PhD at UCL. I am in my fourth and final year of my PhD, which is focussed on investigating one molecular pathway that causes heart disease.
Management Consultancy
Pulkit:
I studied all sciences at A-level and then Chemical Engineering at Cambridge. After university I spent some time doing international development work in India and since 2010 have been working at a management consulting firm. I’m now moving on and considering joining a large technology company or alternatively starting a social enterprise.
More details / let’s connect at http://uk.linkedin.com/in/agrawalpulkit
Travel/ Sustainability
Edward:
I studied geography at Oxford University. This gave me a real passion for seeing the world and creating a sustainable future. I have worked for BP Alternative Energy for the past few years and recently founded a travel society – Dromomaniacs.
Marika:
I studied International Relations at the University of St Andrews and following some really interesting internships in travel and transport I decided to deepen my knowledge of these industries through a specialised Masters which I did at Bocconi University in Milan. I now work for TUI Travel, better known in the UK as Thomson/First Choice, a global travel company. When I was a kid I wanted to become the US Secretary of State!
Teaching
Rory:
I studied Italian at Oxford University, before doing a year on the Teach First programme as an English teacher. I now work for a Business Intelligence company based here in London. My role as a Project Director involves the research, production and marketing of three Business2Business Conferences across the world for the automotive industry. So far organised events in Munich, Las Vegas and Amsterdam. I love food, sculpture, foreign films and travelling!
Veterinary MedicineKavit:
I studied veterinary medicine at The Royal Veterinary College and continued to specialise in surgery. I have also built up a group of clinics around south west London with a unique healthcare model. I’ve always had a keen interest in music and studied jazz composition whilst completing my veterinary degree, and went on from working with artists to composing music for adverts and film.
