Shaping My Own Career
When I graduated from university in 2019 with a Sport Journalism degree, I thought I wanted to get paid to watch sport. I quickly found out it was an incredibly difficult industry to break into; despite the countless work placements I completed.
I started to focus on what I enjoyed most; learning how the sporting world operates, speaking to people, following up leads and building relationships with complete strangers. Like many graduates, I didn’t have all the answers, but I knew I wanted to work hard, learn fast and find something that gave me purpose and progression.
That led me to apply for the Associate Consultant graduate scheme at Rutherford Briant. The recruitment market’s constant change was a perfect fit and a few years on, I’m now a director, leading our accountancy and finance division across Essex. I’ve had the privilege of helping to build one of the busiest areas of the business, but what I’m most proud of is helping to shape a role that didn’t exist when I joined and, in many ways, it shaped me too.
Starting from a Blank Slate
I wasn’t walking into a perfectly mapped-out career path, I was stepping into an environment that values ambition, problem-solving and a genuine interest in people. I had no experience in recruitment but quickly learned that success in this industry is far more about mindset and energy than background or qualifications.
Over the next few years, I gained experience, made mistakes, learned fast and moved quickly. I earned three promotions in three years, not because I had it all figured out, but because I kept showing up, asking questions, and taking ownership. I didn’t wait for permission to add value and that made all the difference.
Creating a Role That Didn't Exist
One of the best parts of my journey so far has been the opportunity to grow into a leadership role that I helped define. At Rutherford Briant, if you spot a gap, bring a solution, and show you're ready to step up, you’ll be supported to make it happen.
I didn’t inherit a network of candidates or a desk full of clients. I built it through understanding where I can add the most value. I worked closely with businesses across Essex, delving into their pain points and understanding the true value a finance professional can add to a company. It’s taken time, resilience and a lot of energy.
That kind of ownership is rare in a lot of industries, but it’s the heartbeat of recruitment.
Not Sure What to Do After University? Consider Recruitment.
If you’re graduating and unsure what’s next, you’re not alone. It’s impossible to have your career all figured out! My advice: focus on the part of your course you enjoyed most, the module that you were most passionate about and find a career that uses those skills. For me, it was gathering information, learning about people’s lives, and chasing a good story! Recruitment ticks all those boxes and I cannot see myself doing anything different.
What you do need are a few core qualities that recruitment rewards in spades: Curiosity, resilience, energy, commercial awareness and drive.
Progression isn’t always easy in recruitment, but at Rutherford Briant, it’s there if you’re willing to work for it. I genuinely believe there are not many agencies out there that would give three promotions in as many years, not because of time served, but because I was given the trust, support and freedom to take ownership and deliver.
It’s not an environment you find everywhere. There’s real opportunity to shape your career, grow fast and be part of a team that values performance and initiative over hierarchy, which is exactly why I’m still here six years later and why it’s a great place to start or grow your recruitment career.