POWER Points

Wakefield Girls' High School recently held their #empowHER event, with a host of guest speakers. We caught up with three of them

REBECCA WARD SUSTAINABILITY ANALYST, RADLEY YELDAR

Q How would you sum up your time at Wakefield Girls?

A My favourite memories come from my time playing lots of sport. My only real talent lies in hockey – which I still enjoy playing – but it didn’t stop me from trying my hand at netball, athletics, swimming, rugby etc at school. In fact, I couldn’t advocate for sports and exercise enough – I credit a lot the so-called “soft” skills I implement every day to participation in team sport (a story for another day).

I also worked hard in the classroom. Academically, I was/am science leaning, with maths, physics, chemistry, and geography being favourites. In summary, my time at WGHS was pretty busy!

Q Would you say a particular teacher or something you enjoyed at school inspired your career path?

A I have never had a certain career path in mind. Instead, I consider myself lucky in that I’ve always felt empowered to continue studying subjects that interest me. And, I had lots of great teachers at school who made their subjects interesting to me. Maths and geography were always personal favourites, and I’d have to give at least some credit to my teachers for that! I am so appreciative that my maths teachers made a point of explaining the multitude of applications maths has in the real world.

Q Tell us about what you do today…

A I was lucky enough to receive a job o er to become a Sustainability Analyst at Radley Yeldar, based in London. We are a communications agency at heart, with my team specialising in sustainability reporting and strategy. We help – and at times gently push – multinational companies to e ectively and transparently address their impacts on people and the environment. I am part of a team of super intelligent sustainability enthusiasts who are on a mission to create sustainability strategies which engender real change, for the better.

Q Why were you keen to appear at the #empowHER event at Wakefield Girls?

A I am passionate about girls and women feeling empowered in every aspect of their lives. It was not until I began my working life that I truly recognised how lucky I was to have never su ered imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome a icts many of the inspiring women I have worked with, and it’s pretty gutting to hear about. It results in highly qualified and intelligent women feeling insecure and superfluous. It happens when women continuously have their confidence knocked over a period of time. Empowerment is important because we need to hear the innovative ideas and demanding questions that women often keep to themselves in order to put an end to the status quo. We are living through the era of the permacrisis, and solutions to crises like climate change need diversity of thought. They mandate the end of the status quo. In short (and not to be too dramatic), our future depends on the empowerment of women and other underrepresented groups.

Q What’s your message for girls all over Yorkshire about the future ahead of them?

A Grasp the opportunities that come your way with both hands, and never do anything half-heartedly. And, be kind.

Becky Baker

ENTREPRENEUR AND FOUNDER OF K9 NATION AND SAFE RECEIPT

Q How would you sum up your time at Wakefield Girls?

A I would say that my time at Wakefield Girls was full of opportunity. There is no doubt in my mind that the exposure I had to di erent situations or challenges is what provided me with some of my core skills I rely on in my everyday life. When I left school I remember being filled with a sense that I could achieve anything if I wanted to and it was just a case of picking what I wanted to do. That sense of confidence and self belief was built up from both my parents and my school environment, without doubt.

Q Would you say a particular teacher or something you enjoyed at school inspired your career path?

A What is strange about the role I had, as a software product manager, before starting my own business, is that it didn’t even exist when I was at school. I would say however, that the school allowed me to try lots of new things so that I could figure out what my strengths and weaknesses were.

Q Tell us about what you do today…

A I am a tech startup founder of two app businesses as well as working part time as a software product manager for a large law firm in Leeds.

Q Why were you keen to appear at the #empowHER event at Wakefield Girls?

A I strongly believe that you have to see something to believe it’s possible. I want to ensure the next generation gets to hear from a wide variety of people when it comes to the subject of careers. Historically careers focused on traditional roles that existed and I wanted to make sure that students who weren’t quite sure what they wanted to do yet, would get some reassurance that it’s okay. You don’t need to have all the answers straight away, but if you believe in yourself and are brave enough to try, great things will happen.

Q What’s your message for girls all over Yorkshire about the future ahead of them?

A I would say please don’t compare yourself to anyone else and don’t feel pressured or rushed to have everything figured out straight away. Be kind and a ord yourself the chance to try new things and work out your strengths and your passions and most of all don’t be afraid to fail.

Sophie Browning

Seasonal Assistant Brand Manager For Confectionery At Nestl

Q How would you sum up your time at Wakefield Girls?

A I joined Wakefield Girls in Year 4 and stayed until Year 11. I enjoyed my time at the school, mainly getting involved with school productions and events surrounding drama and the arts. One distinct memory was summer on the quad with all my friends, when the ice cream man would come to visit each Friday. I had many memorable times at school.

Q Would you say a particular teacher or something you enjoyed at school inspired your career path?

A My career path hasn’t been entirely straight forward. At school I was really passionate about drama and theatre studies, with a plan to go into television or drama school. For my A-level studies, I continued with drama but also picked up psychology and economics, which is where my love of business appeared. What I would say about school is that they always encouraged me to do what I loved, which gave me the motivation to keep going. I was really confused for a few years on what exactly I could see myself doing in my career, but the support from school allowed me to explore many di erent pathways.

Q Tell us about what you do today…

A My current role at Nestlé is Seasonal Assistant Brand Manager for Confectionery. I look after the Easter and Christmas formats within the business, which is super exciting for me. I get to create new products, design the artwork, work across the functions to produce social media assets, look after the financial budgets and project manage many products across the portfolio.

Q Why were you keen to appear at the #empowHER event at Wakefield Girls?

A Being an old girl of the school, I really wanted to get involved to create awareness around alternative routes after school. It’s not easy growing up and going to school because society still expects you to know exactly what your career path looks like based on what GCSEs and A-level subjects you choose. When I was growing up, I thought my only option was to go to university, which I soon decided wasn’t for me and I didn’t really know what the other options were at the time. I want to give the children at the event the motivation and confidence to do what they want to do and what they feel is best for their future.

Q What’s your message for girls all over Yorkshire about the future ahead of them?

A Don’t worry about what your whole future holds. Focus on the present and find exactly what you’re passionate about. Identify those strengths and weaknesses and use them to your advantage as it will definitely support you going forward. It’s ok not to know what you want to do, there is plenty of time for that!

To find out more about this special event visit wgsf.org.uk/wghs

“What pupils love above all is the ‘family atmosphere’ that allows them to thrive.”

(Tatler Schools Guide)

“Children can truly be children and become happy, successful and ready for the challenges of their chosen senior school.” (The Good Schools Guide)

EXPANDING THE HORIZONS OF CHILDREN AGED 3-13