Hatty

We talked to Hatty about how she got into teaching.

Hatty is a Business Studies Teacher on placement at Aquinas College, from September 2021 she will be working at The Kingston Academy. Hatty graduated in 2020 with an MA in Humanitarianism and Conflict Response.

What are you doing now?

Teaching Business Studies. I had always wanted to be a teacher, which is why I did my undergraduate in Human Resources Management. I did the MA at UoM because it was something I am personally interested in and I wanted to pursue my personal interests before I started teaching.

What skills did you gain that helped you in your first graduate role?

I undertook some work experience at my Sixth Form College and a local secondary school throughout my undergraduate degree. I also volunteered to help at an extra-curricular club; Young Enterprise, during my degree at my former Sixth Form. I made sure that I also undertook related part-time work, so throughout both my undergraduate and Masters’ I was a Support Worker at a local organisation supporting young people with Autism.

Throughout my time at UoM, I got involved in lots of enrichment opportunities. I was the part-time Womens’ Officer at the SU, an NUS delegate to NUS National Conference, the Masters’ Rep for the HCRI Society and a General Committee member of the BDS society. I also joined the Islamic Society and Manchester Labour Students. For this work, I was awarded Manchester SU Campaigner of the Year 2020 and Manchester SU Most Persuasive Campaign of the Year 2020.

What did you learn from your first graduate role? What did you like / dislike about it?

From my first role, I learnt how to be a reflective practitioner. Teaching is all about reflecting on your practice and improving upon it. This is something you need in your degree, but I really built upon these skills in teaching.

Are you doing the same role / in the same sector? If not, why did you change roles?

I have mainly worked in the Young Peoples’, Social Enterprise and Education Sector since I started work. There has been a definite benefit to this of all my experience being very related to each other, and it has been fantastic in terms of building my skills and professional development. From each role I have been able to take skills and experiences from every role I have ever had.

What challenges, obstacles or setbacks have you faced so far in your career?

I think teaching in a global pandemic has been a massive obstacle! It has been a massive learning curve. However, the thing about education and teaching is that we are all in the same boat and everyone is really supportive of each other. It has also been a fantastic chance to upskill in technology and my ability as a teacher where I have to adapt so quickly!

If you could go back, would you do anything differently?

I honestly don’t think I would. Doing a HCRI Masters at Manchester on paper seems like a deviation from my career path, but I am so glad I did it as through the SU being Women’s Officer and HCRI department I gained so many experiences that I convey to my pupils each day.

What do you know now that you wish you knew when you finished university / started your first graduate job?

I wish I knew to take time for myself. While throughout my time at Salford and Manchester I had a lot on, I’ve learnt in my first year of teaching (which during a pandemic has been full on trust me!) that there is always time for yourself to breathe and have fun!

What advice would you give to a current student who isn’t sure what to do after graduation?

I would absolutely say, don’t say no to any opportunity that the university or SU offer you. I had so many opportunities in my year at The University of Manchester, but I got so much out of it- hosting a panel at a careers day with the director of Save the Children, running for election, going on trips, joining societies, do as much as you can! This is the chance you have to really develop these skills and experience new things- now I am working full time, I don’t have time for these things anymore. Take the chance while you can!

What are your plans for the future?

For the future, I am moving to London in September to start a new role as a Teacher of Business at a secondary school in Kingston. Eventually I would like to move back to Manchester and one day become Head of the Business Department at a school hopefully!