International Women's Day (IWD) is a global event which is celebrated annually to raise awareness on issues around gender equality and to shine a spotlight on the inspirational women who make such a positive contribution to our society.
Taking place on Friday 8 March, the campaign theme this year is #InspireInclusion and will highlight the importance of inspiring others to understand and value women's inclusion to create a sense of belonging, relevance, and empowerment. Collectively, we can forge a more inclusive world for women.
Teesside University is a passionate supporter of IWD and, led by our Gender Focus Group, works in partnership to celebrate the women who help make our region such an outstanding place to live, work and study.
There are a number of events and initiatives taking place at Teesside University to support International Women's Day:
As members of Team Teesside, we proudly celebrate the fact we are all different and we are all equal. Our Gender Focus Group represents the views of staff and students of all genders in the development of new policies and practices at the University.
At Teesside University we believe that gender equality is not just a fundamental human right, but a necessary foundation for an inclusive learning and working environment. We respect and value individuals of all gender identities, encourage everyone to contribute their unique perspectives and empower every member to succeed academically, professionally, and personally. ”
Professor Jane Turner dedicated her career to challenging gender inequality and helping young girls to reach their potential. Sadly, Jane passed away in 2021 but her legacy lives on through her life's work.
Last year Professor Vikki Rand, Director of Teesside University's National Horizons Centre (NHC), was named among the region's most inspirational women by The Northern Health Science Alliance.
Vik Brown's personal experience of period poverty inspired her to drive change in the University. Her Period Dignity Campaign introduced TOTM boxes, containing free tampons and pads, to toilets across our Middlesbrough campus.
Teesside University graduate Beth Mead has found success as an international footballer. She champions women in sport, and has developed a scholarship with Teesside for promising female footballers.
As Deputy Director of Campus Services, Jill Thompson is playing an instrumental role in the development of Teesside University's ambitious campus masterplan to deliver state-of-the-art facilities.
Kirath Ghundoo is an accomplished business owner with a successful design brand. She draws on her experience with global partners to share her creative talents with the next generation of designers.
Having been inspired by a female science teacher in school, Maria O'Hanlon believes that driving support for women in science is paramount to improving diversity within STEM.
Teesside graduate and world champion boxer Savannah Marshall is breaking the bias for women in her sports career. She holds the WBO female middleweight title and was named British Student Sportswoman of the Year 2021.
TV presenter Steph McGovern has forged a successful career in the media industry. She received an honorary doctorate for her professional achievements from Teesside University among other accolades.
Find out more about some of the amazing women that have previously supported our International Women's Day campaigns.
Sharon, Lecturer in Business Management, set a new record running from John O'Groats to Land's End in 2019. She raised money for Mind in memory of three of her friends.
Setting a goal and then achieving it.
Creating a SMART program to achieve it. Overcoming tiredness and fatigue to complete the program, battling the elements whatever they throw at me, balancing my home life and work commitments to stay healthy, happy and motivated.
Live life to the full. Do not sit back and let life happen, you should go into the world, have aims, ambition and dreams. Set your goals to achieve your goals and experience what challenges are thrown at you and learn to be resilient to deal with them.
Kirath, Senior Lecturer BA Interior Design, MA Design (P/T) Artist & Pattern Designer, also runs her own award-winning surface pattern company. Her work has been featured in TheTimes, London Evening Standard, Elle Decoration and Living North.
Recent law graduate Jade is a two-time Paralympian and she won Gold for England in the para-triathlon at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Australia.
Amelia, Professor of Public Health Nutrition in the School of Health & Life Sciences, helped steer a national campaign fronted by TV chef Jamie Oliver to ban the sale of energy drinks to teenagers.
Beth, a Sports Development graduate, has represented England at every age level from under-15. She plays for Arsenal Ladies and in 2018 she made her debut for the senior England women's national football team.
Middlesbrough-born Steph was made an Honorary Doctor in Professional Achievement at Teesside for her media contributions.
Dot, Professor of Alcohol and Public Health, has been elected Co-President elect of INEBRIA, and worked with NICE to update guidelines on alcohol interventions in secondary and further education.
Gill, Head of Department in the Business School, won Silver in the 2017 World Transplant Games after donating a kidney to a complete stranger.
Knowing that I have done my best. I have never been motivated by money, I have always wanted to help and support people and be proud of myself and those I work with.
Maths has never been my strong point and I remember being told by my maths teacher in secondary school that I would never achieve anything in my life because I was thick. Instead of knocking me back it made me determined to prove him wrong. 35 years in business and a PhD and academic career later I would love to meet him to thank him for his encouragement.
Too many people to mention. Many for leading the way and who left me wanting to be a little like them and others for making sure I did not want to be like them. I am particularly fond of those individuals who had no idea of the positive influence they had on me until after the event when a gentle thank you was sent their way. I was also incredibly fortunate to meet Buzz Aldrin at an event in London some years back and had a short chat when he made it clear that to him it was irrelevant that he was the second man on the moon, he still went to the moon. An amazing man and a huge impact statement in one sentence.
Nursing Associate graduate, mum and cancer survivor Lisa was recognised for her charity fundraising and campaigning with a Teesside hero Award from Teesside Philanthropic Foundation.
Project Director, Meldrum Construction Services Ltd
Being happy and appreciative of what you have achieved.
The biggest challenge I have ever faced was after I left the Royal Air Force and had taken a couple of years out of work to raise my family. It was not the time out that was the challenge, but the hardships to get back into work. Whilst I had GCSEs, A Levels and a Degree, with experience as an Officer in the Military, having that period of time off, alongside the fact not a lot of companies appreciate the skills someone with a Military background can bring, it took a year until I was offered a job. I had to start at the bottom all over again as an admin assistant on a temporary four month contract. In addition and before I found out I had got the job, I had applied to do a Master's Degree in Project Management at Northumbria University, as I needed something else to do for my own sanity. I found out on the same day that I had got the job and been accepted onto the degree course, so after a short time to think, I decided to do both.
For three years I worked in a full time job building my career back up, whilst raising my two young children with a husband still in the military and away in Afghanistan and Iraq a lot, and studied for my Degree every night once they were in bed, except for Sundays which was my day off. It was a very stressful and exhausting three years but it has lead me to where I am today which I am very grateful for. If you put the effort in, your effort and hard work will be rewarded.
My biggest support has been my husband. He paid for me to do my Masters Degree and understood that I had to achieve this for myself and was patient over those three years when I had little time for anything other than the children and the Degree when I was at home. Without him, I couldn't have achieved the success I have today.
Chief Executive, North Star Housing Group
The ability to do what you love every day.
Convincing myself that I am good enough.
Cut yourself some slack, be kind to yourself and don't linger on mistakes.
Chief Executive, North Star Housing Group
Children having the best life opportunities we can give them.
Belief - in myself and my abilities / skills as well as in the possibility of a range of outcomes (on behalf of children and the teaching profession).
Ageism - as a young Headteacher and leader getting the buy-in, respect and 'ear' of those with more experience was difficult sometimes but as I was told - never confuse experience with expertise.
Fright - new situations, greater accountability, heightened public responsibility has to be assimilated in small steps, but that doesn't stop the 'sick' feeling of facing the learning at times, recognise that this 'too' shall pass...
Time - working full time, undertaking post graduate learning, keeping up to date with sector reading as well as trying to live a life means that the 24hours in a day can sometimes compete for space. I always remember though that if it is important to you, you will find a way, otherwise you will find an excuse. My diary is therefore, a life saver, and I schedule all important zones in - it's a balance but worth it.
Choices - knowing what to do at any given time, and which option would be 'best' for either me and the situation. I learned that often there isn't a right/wrong - there is just one more step along the road and continuous evaluation of each step, allows you to make reasoned appraisals of the journey's direction.
A range of amazing people from both my personal and my professional worlds. First and foremost are my fiancé and family. They offer much needed real life time, connection, love, advice, challenge and lots of hugs!
Professionally, I have always ensured that I seek time with and advice from, a range of mentors. These have always been people whom I have either worked with or come across in a professional discussion and whom I respect and admire immensely. Their emotional intelligence and gravitas were always matched with a highly specific sector expertise, from which I learned (or am still learning) a great deal. The sounding board, discussion, reflection, self-actualisation as well as the relationship itself, offers me the chance to see what I can achieve. At the same time, it allows me to set realistic milestones of events and tasks to be undertaken between meeting up. This means I am forever making small, but nevertheless, incremental steps to the next place I want to be. Every great journey starts with 1 step...
Chartered Financial Planner, Active
Success is believing in yourself and making dreams become a reality
In 2013 my life came to a halt. After 24 years working for a high street bank I was unexpectedly made redundant. Stability was something that I had taken for granted. I left as a highly successful financial adviser but what would I do, where would I go? At the time I had three boys under the age of 11 and I was also going through a divorce. Due to the power of my professional connections, I took a risk and followed my heart by moving to an exciting new role over at Active, based in Stockton-On-Tees. The hard work started immediately by building a new referral base, connecting with like-minded professionals and establishing myself in the region. I upskilled significantly and in 2016 gained Chartered Financial Planner status and Fellowship for the Personal Finance Society, the highest qualification awarded in our industry. It's now 2021 and I am now recognised as the female face for Financial Planning in the region, specialising in Pension Planning, being an Ambassador of the Insuring Women's Futures campaign.
Throughout my life I've had mentors. My parents, teachers, managers in the bank, Directors of Active and more recently my life coach Claire Walton. They have taught me to believe in myself, be authentic, be bold and brave. Never stop developing, creating and growing. Glass ceilings were made for breaking!
CEO, Cultures CIC
Being able to support people and seeing them reach their potential
I overcame the fear of failure and realised that part of my story and strength is the ability to get up when am knocked down and go again and again. That fear was useful, as if it can be not handled properly, it is a serious limiting factor. I overcame the challenge of having to justify myself every time I presented my ideas by developing initiatives that forced the establishment to notice and start to change their attitude.
Be yourself, dream big, don't be afraid to fail and you will soar like an eagle.
England Athletics North East RunTogether Group of the Year 2020
Hearing from members that they love our group.
The pandemic has resulted in a lot of changes to the way we can facilitate sessions. I foresee this lasting for a while yet. It is important to me to keep members active and connected with one another in the absence of face to face meetings. We do this with virtual challenges with prizes, newsletters, sharing photos etc. and social Zoom gatherings. In the longer term, we hope that we will get back to group sessions in some type of format. We envisage people having to start slowly, with lots of support, so we'll ensure we have sufficient people to lead groups and we'll develop sessions based on this assumption and adapt as needed, restricting numbers to comply with any local rules.
Principal Lecturer (Staffing and Resources), Teesside University
Aiming high, remaining positive with no self-doubt or regrets.
Qualifying as a Chartered Accountant seemed like a long and impossible journey but materialised only through hard work, commitment, and self-belief.
After having a year off to bring up a young family, regaining confidence to re-enter the job market.
My mum always believed at the time she was too strict in my youth. On reflection, I now embrace how her encouragement and support provided the right amount of pressure, alongside love and compassion, to aim for the stars.
Freelancer
Aiming high, working hard and achieving your goals.
A large portion of my career was at The Times newspaper, I studied Audio Visual / Photography at Teesside College before studying Newspaper & Magazine Design and Infographics at Newcastle Art College and was offered a job with (then) News International a few months before I graduated. I didn't worry about the move to London, I accepted the job and worried about the rest later. Once there, I found that most of my colleagues had an Oxbridge education. I was used to being really outspoken in my friendship group, but I found myself not particularly confident to speak out in team meetings and news conferences with colleagues, for fear of not being articulate enough to express my opinions. But, ambition goes a long way. Learning and observing, believing in my own ability and acknowledgement from managers /editors helped me to gain confidence and express my ideas. The whole news environment is very pressured especially when working to extremely tight deadlines.
I learned to remain calm and worked incredibly hard. Newspaper hours aren't for everyone and by being dedicated it helped to show my ambition. I quickly found that no matter the background or the education there was a camaraderie and lots of common ground, I made some great friends who helped me to progress further up the company ladder.
My parents were always very encouraging when it came to a future career, if you wanted it, then you had to work hard and go out and get it. I met many female editors during my career at The Times who were incredibly supportive, two in particular who pushed and inspired me to do more. We had the first all female back bench team (the name given to the news editing team) whilst I was there. My Creative Director, at the time, was also very supportive, he gave me lots of opportunities, such as redesigning the newspaper with him and managing my own team. I left The Times four years ago and have since art directed and re-designed magazines and apps whilst studying UI/UX Design (user-interface /user experience design). I hope that my on-going career will be as successful as my newspaper and magazine design career have been.
Co-Founder & CEO, Rubies
Getting up every morning to do something that makes a difference.
Some of my challenges have included:
Managers who have seen my potential and given me an opportunity to shine. Also, trainers and tutors who have helped me develop new skills, in particular a female mentor who understands the challenges of the voluntary/charity sector. Finally, my husband, family and friends.
Entrepreneur, Spirals Hair Salon
To run a successful thriving business and be happy in my work.
I started volunteering as a 'saturday girl' whilst I was still at school in a professional salon with great mentors. I was then accepted onto a youth training scheme where I attended hairdressing college one day a week whilst gaining practical experience in the salon for the rest of the time. Hairdressing involves hard work and long days but it is also very rewarding when you get to see the finished product. If you're having a bad day you can't show it! Being professional towards your clients is key. Been my own boss has been my greatest inspiration and makes you work harder to achieve the best results.
Head of PR, Marketing and Communications, PD Ports
To have a voice, be respected, to be able to make a contribution, to be happy.
I started out as a marketing assistant at PD Ports, progressing to Head of PR, Marketing and Communications over 16 years. I completed my degree in Marketing and a Master's in Multimedia and Design at Teesside University before embarking on a career in marketing and communications. I have worked hard to achieve my goals but I also work for a wonderful company in PD Ports that is genuinely committed to bringing out the best in its people and allowing them the freedom to grow and develop and providing the space to make mistakes and learn from them - that makes a huge difference to personal and professional development. In truth, my biggest challenges have been those I've created myself, battling low confidence.
Over the years, and through talking to lots of people around me, I've realised how normal these feelings are and how many people experience these feelings regardless of their role and status. I've learned to be a little kinder to myself but also to challenge myself as it can be surprising to find your true strength and qualities when you take a leap out of your comfort zone, which is great to build on your confidence.
Try to avoid listening to your own self-doubt. Listen and take on-board the positives others see in you and try to see yourself through the eyes of others. Be brave - focus on your ultimate goal and what you believe will bring you contentment and happiness. Take yourself out of our comfort zone and put yourself in positions that will help you overcome your fears, it will help you become a stronger person and don't beat yourself up when things don't go right the first time. Be kind to yourself and always keep an open mind.
Co Founder, FIRST
Doing what you love!
After leaving education I tried to get a job in the peak of the economic crash in 2008. Opportunities were scarce and after many failed attempts I decided to create my own job!
My business partner Caroline Theobald has been instrumental in my success. We met whilst I was working in a café and if we hadn't, my life would be very different from now. She saw my potential, encouraged and supported me, and together we built a successful business. My advice to anyone starting out in their career or business journey is go networking and find your Caroline!
Events Manager - North East, CBI
Success to me is the accomplishment of self-defined goals.
I have always been a dreamer, one to follow my heart slightly over my head. This has meant that I haven't followed a traditional career path but dipped in and out of things as and when they have felt right for me, exploring new roles and opportunities as they have presented themselves. Although this is more accepted now, at one point it was frowned upon. I spent a good 10 years trying to block out peers telling me that I was silly, unrealistic or that I should be doing this or that as it was more acceptable in society. Only you as an individual know what the right decision is for you and it's being brave enough to follow through with your plans and ambitions.
I am grateful to have had the opportunity to meet some wonderful people from all walks and stages of life. Every time I meet someone new, I try to get some wisdom from them, ask them questions, listen to them, learn from them and their experiences. I try to take something away from every new encounter. Doing this has built the foundations of my life's journey.
Midwife
My name is Kate and I recently qualified as a midwife. I love my job and am very excited about what my career in midwifery has to offer.
To become a midwife, I completed a 3 year degree. This was 50% theory at university, in which I completed essays, exams and practical work to learn essential skills. The other 50% of the degree was clinically based placements, where I got to experience working as a student midwife in a variety of hospital and community settings. It is a fun and rewarding degree that is well worth the challenges! I have made friends for life through my degree and loved the experience!
Upon qualifying, I have begun a year long preceptorship programme at the hospital where I work, in which I work in each clinical area of the maternity setting, such as the delivery suite, the antenatal and postnatal wards, and the maternity assessment unit. This is very rewarding and I receive lots of support to help me to gain confidence and experience in my role.
A typical day in the life of a midwife is... never the same! The job is full of excitement, challenges and love. It uses a combination of your communication, teamwork and practical skills to enable you to care for all women, their babies and families. The midwifery degree fully equips you for this experience, giving you the knowledge and skills that you need to provide holistic, safe and quality care to all women. Midwives are based in different areas and provide care throughout the entire pregnancy journey and into the postnatal period. They are advocates for all women, and help to plan and provide care in partnership with the woman and a variety of other healthcare professionals to ensure a safe and positive pregnancy and birth experience.
I feel truly lucky to be an NHS midwife, and look forward to every day at work. It is a privilege to be a part of the journey of so many families, and I always keep this quote in mind when doing so: 'People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you make them feel' - Maya Angelou.
Co-Founders and Managing Directors of CSI Training and Events Ltd and Crime Scene Assist Ltd
Enjoying what we do. Turning our passion into business.
Not having a business background was challenging. We come from a crime scene investigation practitioner background. We know and love our subject area but had to learn a significant number of new skills to be able to convert our ideas into a functional business. Thankfully, Teesside University helped us with this through their amazing business support team.
It is not your business what others think of you. This comes with age but if you can crack it early and just be you, then you will be laughing. Always be yourself.
Principal Lecturer (Enterprise & Business Engagement), Teesside University
Seeing the impact that I have had in helping others achieve their goals.
Imposter syndrome. Working through self-doubt and convincing myself that I am good enough.
Try not to worry too much about how you think other people see you; you won't always be right. Also, surround yourself with those you care about and trust.
Veterinary Nurse
To me success means being able to finish work with a feeling of accomplishment, being happy and having things to drive yourself forwards throughout a working day. I also believe that having a good relationship with colleges and clients is key to success in a workplace.
To achieve my goal of becoming a registered Veterinary Nurse, I have faced both practical and theoretical training including multiple examinations (both written and practical) and now, as a fully qualified Veterinary Nurse I am required to do continuous professional development to keep my knowledge fresh and up to date. Becoming a Veterinary Nurse has enabled me to live my dream and work overseas including working in Australia and New Zealand…a once in a lifetime opportunity!
My day to day duties can be challenging and it is a very fast paced environment with no room for error. However, it is also a very rewarding job and making a difference to animals' lives is my passion.
I have had lots of encouragement from my family, friends and partner along the way and being very lucky to work with some amazing people who make the long days worthwhile. My two dogs, Milo and Ruby also remind me each day why I do the job I do.
My message to everybody would be to always follow your dreams, anything you want enough is achievable and hard work really does pay off. Being happy should always be your number one priority.
Events Officer
I am responsible for a range of University events, from awards dinners, building openings, lectures, to graduation and our part of national events such as International Women's Day. I am extremely lucky to work with a great team as none of us could do it on our own!
This isn't what I always wanted to do though. At secondary school, I loved science and went to college to study Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Science. When I was studying my A Levels I knew I wanted to do a science degree. I studied Microbiology at university and got involved in the Students' Union. In my final year of my studies I was elected to be the Education & Welfare Officer, and that's where science and I parted ways. I still liked science, but I loved the new job and the variety it brought, so I knew I wanted to do something different.
Fast forward two years and my term of office ended at the Students' Union. I secured a job at the University in the Student Recruitment team, and I started to really enjoy running events. I knew I wanted to do more, so I enrolled on my Master's degree in Events Management and studied part-time along my full-time job. In 2017 I joined the University Events team.
It may be a bit of a cliché, but there really is no such thing as a typical day in my job, so it's difficult to explain a day in the life of an Events Officer. Currently, it's spent working from home with two young children so is quite different! I look after events from the first idea right through to running them on the day. Each event is different, so I get to work on different projects all the time.
A job in events is not as glamorous as it might seem from the outside, but I still love it. My job means you have to decide on things like entertainment, communications, logistics, catering, health and safety, right down to little details such as where to put flowers or what colour scheme we want. You plan for every eventuality, but there will still be something completely random happen, meaning you have to be a really good problem solver and think on your feet. There are long days, lots of things to juggle, but there's nothing quite like seeing people having a good time at an event you've planned.
Chair, First Face to Face
President Welfare 2020-2021, Teesside University Students' Union
Makeup Artist and Creative Beauty Director
Managing Partner, Square One Law
Executive Personal Assistant, Teesside University
Director, Power of Women Campaign
Entrepreneurs
Director, National Horizons Centre
The National Horizons Centre (NHC) is a biosciences research and training centre. However, this isn't where I thought I would be in my career path when I was younger - because I never really know what I wanted to be when I grew up - and still don't!
Growing up, perhaps I wasn't as imaginative as my friends who wanted to be astronauts or famous singers. I just couldn't comprehend the idea of choosing one career that I would be destined to for rest of my life. I do vaguely remember deciding to be a doctor at the age of about 6 or 7, but not for long as I soon realised that I am not one for blood and gore.
I often look back and wonder how I came to a decision to forge a career in science. I was always an inquisitive child, spending hours in the outdoors, observing life and asking 'why' or 'how'. Why is the sky blue? How are rainbows formed? How do ants carry leaves that seem ten times the size of them? I soon realised that science held the answers. Simply put, science is amazing! It enables us to produce lifesaving medicines and put humans on the moon. It gives us the tools we need as we grow up to understand the world around us.
This desire to understand 'why' lead me to choose to study science subjects at school. Biology and chemistry were always the two subjects that I found myself to be most interested in - the combination of already known facts and also trying to solve the unknown, one experiment at a time. I left school with a handful of science qualifications and embarked on a 4-year masters of Biological Sciences at university - during which, the human biology practical dissection classes further enforced that was not destined to be a doctor!
After my degree, I embarked on a PhD in Biochemistry, spending 3 years experimenting in the labs. Although I thoroughly enjoyed the experience, I decided that I wanted to move away from the blue-sky research of academia and move into industry where science was being applied in day to day operations, witnessing it in use.
Fast forward 15 years, having in-between worked in scientific sales and marketing, business development and government policy, and here I am. The one thing that has linked my career path to date is that I have always worked in roles, whatever they have been, in the biosciences field. Today, as Director of the National Horizons Centre, I am responsible for leading its development as a centre of excellence for the biosciences sector working with industry to ensure that provision is driven by current and planned needs for skills, research, innovation and talent.
My proudest science moment was just a few years ago, when I was working as a Network Manager of an Industrial Biotechnology and Bioenergy Network, a UK Government funded network made up of Academia and Industrialists. This led to me authoring the UK Industrial Biotechnology Strategy to 2030, which was officially presented to UK Government in 2017 and accepted with its associated road map. Making such an impact on national policy was really rewarding.
I am still uncertain of what I would like to be when I get older. What I am certain of however, is that my future lies in a science related career, knowing it provides a guaranteed satisfaction for the little girl inside me, the one that still asks 'why.'
My Career advice:
Finally, my mantra through life has always been 'If somebody offers you an amazing opportunity but you are not sure you can do it, say yes - then learn how to do it later'
Executive PA to the Vice-Chancellor, Chief Operating Officer and VCO Office Manager
You could say that I have been part of the University forever… My Mum worked at the University so I attended the University Nursery as a baby, returning upon leaving School, and have been here ever since... (23 years).
After leaving secondary school I joined the Chamber of Commerce to do an NVQ Level 2 and 3 in Business Administration - it was there that I secured a placement with the University as a YT (Youth Trainee) in Student Records in the Registry. From there I start my first full time job as Receptionist in the Vice-Chancellor's Office, where I was still able to attend day release at the Chamber whilst completing the NVQ.
In the Vice-Chancellor's Office I worked very closely with a team of Personal Assistants, which further expanded my knowledge and gave me an insight into the role of a PA - a role I don't think many people appreciate until you become one - no two days are ever the same and I continually learn from it.
The experience I gained from supporting the PAs, covering absences and learning how to adapt to different characters and personalities, opened the door for me to become a Personal Assistant to various Deputy Vice-Chancellors over the years, and then as Executive PA to the Chief Operating Officer. This particular role was the ultimate stepping-stone in giving me the experience, understanding, and knowledge of the University from both the perspective of the 'academic', and the 'operational' side of the house.
This experience from both the academic and operational perspective provided me with the skills to be ultimately promoted and appointed as Executive PA to both the Vice-Chancellor, the Chief Operating Officer, and as the Office Manager for the wider 'Vice-Chancellor's Office' - a role I relish! The rest, as they say, is history...
The University is a great employer with excellent conditions of service and a fantastic learning and development provision which has enabled me to keep up to date with the required tools to enable me to excel my job on a day to day basis.
Senior Lecturer in Biomedical Science, National Horizons Centre
To me, working as a woman in science is all about the science - I want to solve some mysteries in how neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's Disease kill brain cells with the ultimate goals of helping design and test treatments. In an ideal world, that's it, but there are barriers to girls and women in science at all levels, from accessing education to getting jobs and successful careers in STEM professions. These barriers are insidious, institutionalized, cultural, societal, economic, and real.
So to me, working as a woman in science is ALSO about encouraging and supporting girls and women. It's about the 9-year-old girl who was encouraged to think about a career in science when I talked about my research in my son's class. It's about BEING a successful scientist despite being a woman, an immigrant Indian in the USA and then in the UK. It's about showing girls and women like me that it's possible - and lowering those barriers for those who follow.
Research Degree Student, National Horizons Centre
When I was younger, I hated science. It was presented to me as dull and unappealing. With the examples of famous scientists in history mainly being male, I never for a second thought about it as a career. That all changed when I was lucky enough to be taught by an engaging biology teacher who had worked in academia and industry, and through her enthusiasm, I was shown a world of excitement and discovery. She had really done it all - had a family and a career. Listening to her, for the first time, I felt like I could be a woman and have an amazing career in science, just like she did.
Therefore, working as a woman in science is important to me, not only because through my work I hope to play a pivotal role in the advancement of disease understanding and treatment discovery, but also because I want to be the person that inspires other girls, just like I was inspired when I was at school. I want to show young women that a career in science can be varied and interesting but most of all, accessible to all.
Group Marketing Director, Education Training Collective
Success, to me, is having a safe, secure and happy family and a career I love which has enabled me to make a difference and have an impact on others. They say that the way to eat an elephant is in small chunks and that is how I approached my career goals, a series of small objectives, each being a building block to get to the next level. For example, I knew I didn't want to leave the Tees Valley for work, so I sought to achieve a good local education which would be appreciated by local business leaders. I took advice from those around me to understand the pathway to Marketing Director - assistant, coordinator, manager - each one being a stop on the journey to the destination. Of course, it didn't all run smoothly and there were side-steps, redundancies and other obstacles, and while they were disappointing at the time, on reflection they were actually just opportunities for self-development.
There was something serendipitous about being made redundant from my role at Reef Subsea at the same time the role at Nifco came up - and that role was a career changer, it gave me the management and leadership skills I needed to do the job I am in now, in the education sector I have always wanted to be part of.
Right now, no day is the same, and although I have now stepped away from some of the more operational marketing tasks, I still get to role my sleeves up and pitch in from time to time. Sometimes I can be creating innovative ideas to engage with learners to help them on their own career journey, or I can be working with my Senior Manager colleagues on strategic plans for the group, and recently I have been working with amazing organisations such as The Girl's Network to provide fantastic opportunities for the young women in our college - its all exciting, busy, and incredibly rewarding!
If I could share one piece of advice to others, it's 'be your own press officer' - you don't have to be brash or arrogant, but be aware of your own successes and don't be afraid to share them with others - and then we can all celebrate with you!
Managing Director, Tees Components
Success to me means being in control of my life. Being in control of my thoughts, my feelings, and feeling disciplined, having choices about what I do.
I am 42 years old and I have been working in mechanical engineering since I was 19. My biggest challenge to overcome was probably undertaking an apprenticeship, because all of my friends were at university, and I was one of a very small number of girls at TTE learning workshop skills. It was very different to the school background I had, and I felt often that I had failed because I had dropped out of university. Eventually I did gain two degrees and because I also had the experience of working, I was able to apply for good jobs.
I have been lucky throughout my career to meet individuals who have made clear they believe in my ability to succeed, and have backed me. I've needed reassurance sometimes that I could do the job ahead.
My message - stop comparing yourself to others, or worrying about what they think. They will only be doing the same, anyway. Find your gifts and use them - that is the purpose and the meaning of life!
Editor, Tees Life magazine, Love Middlesbrough and Absolute Bridal magazine
Events manager, Resolution Publishing
Freelance writer/producer
Success to me has never been about money or material things. It's been about following my heart, retaining my (slightly off-kilter!) personality and having a career I love.
I couldn't think of anything worse than spending eight hours a day resenting your job.
Success is also about being self-sufficient, which is hugely important to a single mum like me.
After a shattering divorce I vowed that I would bring my two children up without ever having to rely on anyone else - something I've done and something of which I'm immensely proud. Even though there were times when I was exhausted from deadlines and lack of sleep, I wasn't going to give up because there was always someone ready and itching to jump into my shoes!
It's been a long road from Middlesbrough to National magazine and TV work in London and back full circle to working on home ground - and boy, have there been challenges along the way!
Take the careers officer who told me at 16 that I'd never be a writer because I was a woman, because I was working class, because I was a Teessider, because I didn't get the grades to go to University.
I knew I had talent if not the academic nous and so did Bill Perfitt, my first mentor who took a chance on me as a trainee reporter at ICI Wilton.
Talking my way into a magazine job in London and going to journalism college part-time proved that where there is a will, there is a way.
I worked (and played!) very hard and was lucky enough to meet some influential people who gave me a leg up along the way. I've never forgotten and always tried to repay their kindness.
Moving back to Teesside recently has brought my career full circle and was a case of: you don't ask, you don't get. As our lovely designer Sarah Carlton says - 'shy bairns get nowt!'
As life imploded in the South I reached out to Dave Allan, an old friend who offered me a job of editing Tees Life magazine. I will be eternally grateful to Dave and his business partner Martin Walker for their belief in me.
Though my job has had to pivot due to Covid, I still find such satisfaction in writing for Tees Business and Love Middlesbrough magazines and organising our amazing Tees Businesswomen and Tees Tech events. Whether its interviewing the great and good of Teesside, organising photo shoots or arranging food and entertainment for our awards evenings, there's never a dull day!
Since relocating 18 months ago I continue to be amazed by our region, by the incredibly talented team at Resolution Publishing and of course by the remarkable women who have taken me under their wing and who buoy me up with their support. Their names are too many to mention - but Ann Stonehouse for her weekly check-ins, Jane Turner for her inspiration and Lou and Chloe at Wander Films for their solidarity and infectious enthusiasm.
Which brings me to something I believe passionately in: no matter who you meet along life's journey - treat people well, leave an impression and do your very best by them. Kindness, a word of encouragement, a show of support - these things cost nothing and pay dividends.
Stay positive, stay focused, believe in yourself and never change who you are just to cut corners or fit in. Talent will out - even if it takes time. There needs to be people to break the mould - let that be you!
CEO, Lavenpark Ltd,Global Chair, Meat Business Women, Co-founder I Global Meat Alliance
To me success is all about making change and impact in an area (could be a business or whole industry) which you are really passionate about and it creates the revenue you need to live the life you want.
Life is jam packed with challenges and everyone deals with them in their own way. For me it's about making sure the opportunities outweigh the challenges, even though something can look like a challenge you are learning new skills all of the time. Use that new knowledge to make the next opportunity even better.
Over the last 20 years I've surrounded myself with people who invest professional time in me, this has now grown organically to a 'personal board'. To make this work you need to ask people for help and show them why it's of strategic benefit. Know your skillset, especially your weaknesses and get support for those areas - it'll make life a whole lot easier!
It's the simple things that brings success - being totally you, being brave and doing the extra 10%
I have a First-Class Honours in Marketing, a Masters in Management and have also achieved Chartered Marketer status via the Chartered Institute of Marketing.
I joined the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) in 2007 after successfully launching premium beef & lamb brands within a large butchery business in the North East of England. Working my way through, I was appointed as Sector Strategy Director for the Beef & Lamb Board in 2015. I led the strategic review and development for the Beef & Lamb sector in England by identifying key challenges and opportunities which deliver long term growth.
In 2019 I successfully launched Lavenpark, my own consultancy business which is working with levy boards, government and commercial companies to achieve greater success through improved industry insight, connectivity, business development, marketing, and communications.
I am the founder and global Chair of Meat Business Women which launched in 2015, the professional networking group working in the meat industry which now operates across UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. It has recently been recognised by the United Nations with me presenting on the contribution Meat Business Women makes to the global Sustainable Development Goals.
I love my job as no two days are the same and each comes with challenges and opportunities. Finding solutions is the fun part!
If you want to hear more from Laura and hear her hints and tips for career development, listen to her podcast.
Education Manager, Tees Valley Combined Authority (TVCA)
I am the Education Manager for TVCA. I manage two key programmes focusing on Careers Education and Innovation, and Collaboration for School Improvement. A usual day for me includes working with schools, colleges and business as well as managing a team of seven. I also work with national government departments such as the Department for Education. I have faced a number of challenges within my career, especially managing staff and engaging CEO's and Headteachers to support the areas of work that I lead on... so far so good!
I am fortunate that I have three standout mentors supporting me with my career, a previous and current line manager and my older sister.
Success for me is logging off each day knowing that the work I do has a positive impact on a Tees Valley young person ensuring that they have the right tools to be able to decide the right career pathway for them.
My message to young people is; if you want it, work for it and then enjoy the rewards of it.
Teesside University International Women's Day group member
Deputy Technician Manager
To stand back up and take the next step
Some of the biggest challenges I've had to overcome in my career are not related to the jobs I've done, but the words that have been spoke to me both while I was younger and at school. As a person with severe learning difficulties I was told repeatedly that I would never achieve anything and that I was worthless. For years I believed those words were true and as a result they shaped how I thought about myself and they restricted my growth. Booker T Washington said 'I have learnt that success is to be measured not so much by the position that one reached in life as by the obstacles which one has had to overcome while trying to succeed.' I was very lucky to have a family and mentors who walked with me and helped me overcome issues including self-worth, self-belief and personal value. This journey of overcoming has helped reshape my character and rebuilt my confidence in who I am and what I can do. I try to apply what I have learnt to the way I manage and mentor people.
Your value and worth is not defined by other people but by you, your character and the positive impact you leave on the people around you. I've also learnt not to take myself to seriously and to enjoy the journey, so take time to stop look back and celebrate how far you have come.
Deputy Chief Executive, Thirteen
Chris' focus is on business growth, including leading on strategic partnerships with Homes England, local authorities, health organisations, universities, the community and voluntary sector. Chris is responsible for identifying and developing bids and secure new business ventures, contracts, partnerships and commissioned/contracted services and work with partners to create housing and service solutions for their housing, support and care needs. This team leads on the physical shaping of neighbourhoods and optimisation of our services and products around our existing homes, new homes and neighbourhoods including community development / social regeneration. Chris is a former Chair of the Local Strategic Partnership in Middlesbrough, former trustee of Middlesbrough Environment City and former board member of the Northern Housing Consortium. She is a member of the Health and Wellbeing Board in Middlesbrough and a director of the arcc consortium, a company set up to run the Transforming Rehabilitation contract on behalf of the Ministry of Justice. She is also regional chair of the National Housing Federation's North East Health Care and Support Group.
Stockton Soup Organiser and Foster Carer
Helping someone feel listened to, loved, encouraged, or believed in.
other Teresa said 'I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.' I work in a number of roles: fostering children, running Stockton SOUP, and with a Foodbank. In all the things I do, I always try to keep sight of the individual.
I think sometimes it is easy to want to do huge world changing things, and not really value the small, the personal, the difference you can make to just one person. I have fought this temptation often, and at times it has been a challenge for me to see the value in what I do. The external pressure to go 'big' can feel a battle at times.
It can also be hard to ignore those who look down on what we do as being small or insignificant! Those people who love the phrase 'oh you just.....' and miss the reality of what we actually do! Not a lot of people realise that Foster Carers provide constant care, generally without any respite or 'clocking off. I saw something the other day that said: 'you know you are a foster carer when .... you work 24/7, no sick pay, no pension, no guaranteed holidays but you are considered lucky!' It is hard working constantly, even more so when people don't always recognise it as that!
Often, my role is to lay the foundations for future positive changes: changes I don't get to see. For example, when the work that we do enables children move on from our care to form secure relationships with their new families. Lin-Manuel Miranda tells us in Hamilton that legacy is 'planting seeds in a garden you never get to see'. I get that! It can be hard to keep doing the work (particularly when the work is exhausting and challenging!) and trusting that the impact may be felt in years to come.
Both my role at the foodbank, and as a foster mum takes an incredible amount of persistence! Keeping going on the hard days can be a huge challenge. Loving people and children who display difficult behaviour can be exhausting, relentless and demanding. Not giving up is hard. However, when all is said and done, those chinks of light, seeing love win, making a difference to that one! That makes it all worth it.
Not even sure where to start! If I had to list everyone who has helped it would take all day! They say it takes a village to raise a child...well, it takes a town with foster children! Multiple professionals, but also our amazing family and friends who support us, celebrate the wins and cry with us over the losses. I have great friends who, when I share with them crazy ideas like Stockton SOUP, roll up their sleeves and ask how they can help. At the Foodbank we have a brilliant and dedicated volunteer team.
I think for me, it has not been the amount of people, but the right people. People who acknowledge my feelings, but are not afraid to challenge me to change if needed. People who believe in me, and encourage me to keep going. People who value me and make me feel safe. I am very fortunate, but building that small select group has taken years, painful mistakes, and vulnerability.
Managing Director, AbacusBean
I'm a firm believer in that if you put the effort in anything can happen, we make our own luck and certainly hard work pays off!
Director, Infrastructure Project Management, Yorkshire & North East Turner & Townsend
Success to me at home is a happy family; this means connected, all have access to opportunities and are doing things that make them happy. We have brought our children up with the aspiration to be whatever they want to be, there is nothing they can't do.
Success to me at work is a team that feels equally fulfilled, supported and challenged.
My biggest challenge throughout my career has been the conflict of work life balance, the guilt that comes from wanting to work and feeling fulfilled against being a Mum
I had a great Manager early in my career who was really flexible in her approach to work/life balance and taught me that it was possible to do both with a flexible employer
My Husband has always and still continues to be my biggest support and supporter. We can truly say that we both brought up our children, we shared school runs and bedtimes. This allowed me to move ahead in my career knowing that I had his full support and our children are probably more rounded people for the experience.
Don't let yesterday take up too much of today
It may have been a bad day but it's gone, learn from it and move on. Nothing will be gained dwelling on the past
I work for a global organisation called Turner & Townsend with offices across the UK including Teesside.
I normally start my day with a Management Team meeting, checking in on the team and issue of the day. I spend a lot of my time talking to clients and partners to discuss the changing markets and how we can develop our services to respond to them. The end of the day is normally a round up with the team. Since homeworking it is even more important for me to reach out to colleagues to ask 'Are you OK', I aim to speak to at least two of the team per day across the region.
At the start and end of each day I also walk my dog Tilly in the fields or local beaches and weather permitting I work in my allotment for relaxation.
Executive - Government at Turner & Townsend and Programme Manager/Secretariat at The UK2070 Commission
Success to me is happiness and being happy with who I am.
What makes me happy is being a mother and my children, and aspiring to be the best version I can be: personally, mentally, physically spiritually and professionally.
I think my biggest challenge was lack of self-confidence, I didn't perform that well at school, didn't go to University and had no real idea what I wanted to be when I grew up!
Having great personal and professional mentors along my journey. These mentors saw greatness in me when I was unable to quite see it for myself.
By raising the bar on my own aspirations personally and professionally by expecting more of myself, and taking responsibility for my own learning and development.
All things are possible!
Develop yourself, network, try lots of new things and find out what you are good at, ask for help, dream as big as like, and remember YOLO (you only live once).
I work for a global organisation called Turner & Townsend with offices across the UK including Teesside.
I work with a great Manager and we work within Turner & Townsend's Government Department providing insights and intelligence.
We are currently working on the UK2070 Commission which is a is an independent inquiry into city and regional inequalities in the UK.
Specially, I am working with the Teesside University on the UK2070 Teesside Taskforce Stakeholder Focus Group, which is capturing young and different voices to enrich the 'Calls for Evidence' into the UK2070 Teesside Task Force's Report.
I have 2 children and 3 step-daughters that keep me on my toes. I also support my Dad's local prostate cancer charity, that we are both very passionate about.
HR Advisor for HR Alchemy
My name is Emily and I am an HR Advisor for HR Alchemy, based in Middlesbrough. HR Alchemy provides outsourced HR services to SMEs across the North East of England.
Our clients are from a variety of sectors, ranging from digital and creative companies, manufacturing and engineering, to education (schools/academies). As you can imagine, no day is the same and I find my job exciting, challenging and rewarding; it has become an integral part of my identity.
I left Nunthorpe School in 2012 and completed my A-Levels at Nunthorpe Sixth Form. I then secured a place at the University of Leeds in 2014, studying English Language. I had no idea what career I wanted to pursue at University, but I knew that it was important to enjoy whatever it was I ended up doing!
In my final year at University, I began using my (very long) University breaks to gain experience and it was Human Resources that intrigued me. I was eager to pursue HR, due to the wide scope of roles and responsibilities; and I enrolled for my Master's Degree in Human Resource Management back home at Teesside University. I graduated in 2018, with a Distinction and won student of the year in my cohort. Whilst studying for my Master's, I also worked part-time as an HR Administrator, in order to build my CV and acquire an insight into the day-to-day runnings of an HR department.
After graduating, I was fortunate enough to secure my role as an HR Graduate at HR Alchemy. Here, I have been mentored first-hand by the Managing Director of the company, who has over 25 years HR experience. After a year in this role, I progressed into my HR Advisor role, which has allowed me to build upon these skills and begin to further develop my proficiency in responding to HR related queries and advising clients on HR policies and procedures. As a result of the close mentorship I have received, I've gained vast experience in a short time and I will be forever grateful.
An average day might include: close mentorship in complex HR procedures; managing case work; responding to client queries via phone/email; overseeing grievance and disciplinary procedures; investigating and attending employee disciplinaries/absence meetings; working on HR policies and procedures; sending HR related newsletters to clients, or posting on social media.
I am now 25 year old and if you had told me at graduation where I would be today, I don't think I would have quite believed you!
I think it is imperative to pursue what is important to you, follow your intuition, be brave and enjoy the journey. For me, working as part of such an amazing supportive team, is what makes every day enjoyable and responding to client needs, is what makes every day fulfilling. I am looking forward pursuing my career in Human resources, and it is exciting to see what life brings.
Managing Director, Achieving Change Ltd
I created my own business, Achieving Change Ltd, in 2018 after a successful career as an HR Director for over 25 years with GSK where I got to support teams all over the globe.
Achieving Change is all about supporting Businesses, Teams and Individuals to achieve the change they are looking for.
Seeing someone else grow and reach a new level of personal ambition is something that gives me a huge buzz. I love the work that I do in supporting people, to be the best that they can be!
I grew up on a council estate in Scotland during the big recession in the 1980's when unemployment was a staggering 12%. Not only was money tight, it just wasn't the norm to go to University and study. To add to this, I am a practical learner, so how could I get the skills and qualifications that would give me the best chance of getting a job and starting a career? I decided to study a practical degree that included a year in industry while living at home, and it was this practical approach that got me my first job! I stood out from the rest of the crowd of graduates by having real life work experience of HR in a company.
My biggest promotion was when I was 29 and became the HR Manager for one of GSKs sites in Scotland with over 1,000 staff. I was young, and a female, in my first big role (all of the other managers were men and in their 40-50's). It was terrifying! There were significant deliverables, and I knew that I had to work hard (and smart) and learn as quickly as possible.
My boss when I got my big promotion was fantastic! I have also had both formal and informal mentors throughout my career who have supported me. Any team I have been involved in I always see as an opportunity to learn from. Finally, my parents and in particular my Dad.
The only person that will stop you is... yourself. Work hard and persevere because if at first you don't succeed, learn. Nothing is 'impossible', change your thinking to 'I'm possible!'
Marketing Officer, Teesside University China Office
Speaking of success, my idea about it at a very early age always had been quite big and measurable, such as making beautiful figures salaries or having an enviable job. The reason I thought in this way was because that in most cases people who achieved these things are considered quite successful. However, the sense of accomplishment on these cannot last long as there will always be someone making more money or getting a better job. And it is more like I was trying to make other people think I'm successful by meeting all these measurable standers.
Gradually, I start to understand it's vital to really know myself. And to keep my own pace is a good way to cope with all these anxieties. I used to be afraid to talk in front of strangers due to low self-esteem but I never give up trying to step out of my comfort zone. And now I'm able to organise a conference for hundreds of people and speak up without any shaking. These qualities I got from all my effort and experience bring a lasting sense of achievement and will stay with me for life, which led me to become a confident and independent woman. Moreover, it's important to never forget the qualities born with you. My inferiority made me a good listener, but when I become more confident I never forget to listen first.
Hope you can learn how to cope with the world's toughness but never lose your innate tenderness. Know yourself, keep yourself, love yourself and then never stop making a breakthrough. I believe you will taste the real taste of success.
Teesside University Regional Director - South Asia
I am Padmini Parameswaran, Regional Director-South Asia and I think the biggest challenge I faced was when I started my career in the mid-eighties. Those were the times when girls got married early and I did too. By the time I was 21 I was a mother. I had a Bachelor's Degree as a qualification but I wanted to study more and have a perfect career so I added on four other degrees to my portfolio while looking after my home and family. I started teaching at the school level and although I really enjoyed my profession I wanted to get into other challenging areas after a few years. This is when I started my journey with 'Education UK'. I am indebted to my Mentor, Major Maroof Raza, who is a well-known name in the world of Media and Television, for introducing me to 'Education UK'. He gave me my first break to work as an Admissions Manager at a UK university's Regional Office and trained me to learn and improve several skills on the job. I joined the industry when I was still in my early thirties when I embarked on this totally different but exciting career but in four years' time I was happy to break yet another glass-ceiling - I became the second woman to head the Regional Office of a British university in India. This was considered as a predominantly male bastion although things are different today.
My inspirational message: perseverance and determination can help you achieve your goals.
Director of Strategic Partnerships, Thirteen
Success to me is the good feeling I get when I have reached my potential and achieved the goals I set for myself. As a mother, it also means knowing that I am a positive role model for my daughters and that their aspirations and self belief is set high.
The biggest challenge I have had to overcome is self doubt! Neil Schneider, former Chief Executive of Stockton Council helped me as he was the first person who told me I could go far in my career which came as a big surprise at the time but gave me the confidence to apply for promotions.
A day in the life of my job always starts with a cup of tea and quick email catch up watching the morning news. At the moment I having lots of Microsoft Teams meetings which can be anything from a catch up with the managers in my team, a partnership meeting with a local authority to identify new opportunities or a meeting about Covid to ensure the company is responding to the everchanging situation.
My message is...'Be ambitious and if you think you're not good enough for something or other people are better than you, put those thoughts to the back of your mind and just go for it!'
CEO, Wander Films
How weird is success? It is proper hard to define! It definitely changes as time goes on and can be measured in so many different ways. At this point in my life, success is doing the thing that I love every single day! My biggest challenge on this journey has been my confidence and it took a really long time to feel comfortable on camera or when public speaking. I still get nervous today but pushing yourself out of your comfort zone allows you to grow. So many people have helped me and my business partner (Lou) along the way. There are too many mentors to mention and that is why it's important for us to help the next generation.
My message to the younger generation:
Dream big and work your butts off to get there. There are no limits to what you can achieve!! You got this!!
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Practitioner and LGBT Ally, Durham Pride
Creating a feeling of Inclusivity and belonging to society.
Being able to influence change remotely is difficult although very much needed right now for those groups who need support or who are marginalised. I will continue working with communities who need allies and will think outside of the box to achieve success virtually or otherwise!
Firearms and roads policing officer, Cleveland and Durham Specialist Operations Unit
Jess is a firearms and roads policing officer working within Cleveland and Durham Specialist Operations Unit (CDSOU). After completing her A-levels, at the age of 19, Jess started her career with Cumbria Police as a Police Community Support Officer (PCSO). During this time, she also worked as a retained firefighter in her home county of Lancashire before becoming a police constable within Durham when she was 23 years old.
Initially working on the response teams within Durham, Jess also trained in public order before achieving her goal and joining CDSOU five years ago. As a firearms officer, Jess is involved in some of the most high-pressured incidents dealt with by Durham Constabulary. Jess further specialised as a tactical rifle officer and is trained as a trauma medic. This highly specialised role requires her to undergo regular intensive training and pass an enhanced fitness test.
Being dual role, when not dealing with firearms incidents Jess patrols County Durham's roads and is an advanced driver trained in tactical pursuit and containment. Jess prevents and detects crime on the roads and supports national initiatives to make the roads safer for all. In addition to her daily tasks, she is a trained family liaison officer; supporting families who have lost loved ones in fatal road traffic collisions.
At 31 years old, Jess is currently studying for a degree in Business Leadership and Management Practice and upon completion is hoping to go for promotion and apply her learning within her workplace.
'Take yourself out of your comfort zone. If you challenge yourself and believe in yourself, anything is possible.'
Teesside University China Office
Before talking about what success means to me, I think how to define success is more important to me. Success, of course, is well known to be a celebrity, earn a lot of money and have the so-called senior social status. For me, success is loving myself, enjoying my life and trying to help others. Such success can make my heart full of strength. I think the biggest challenge I've overcome in growing up is that I've never been determined by my age. In the environment where I grew up, people usually thought that you should do what kind of things at what age, otherwise it would be discussed by everyone. I chose to go to Teesside University to study when others thought it was time to get married and have children. As a result, I got a very favourite job and a very loving team. I am now working in Teesside University's China office. It was my parents who encouraged me and supported me in the process. Whenever I'm confused, they always tell me to do what you really want to do. You don't have to be what others think you should be. You are yourself. I'm very grateful for that.
Now I have a very busy working day. At the beginning of this season, we have to prepare for the admission of students in autumn. Fortunately, our whole team supports each other.
If there is anything to share, I would like to tell all the girls that you are the best of yourself. Love yourself every moment. Thank you.
Director of Regeneration and Culture, Middlesbrough Council
I think women face many barriers in the workplace, with some of them more obvious than others.
It's relatively easy to see the harm done by the traditional situation of 'women of child bearing age' being overlooked during recruitment processes, and perceptions around career breaks constraining the number of female leaders and role models, but some of the more recent examples will impact just as much.
The examples in lockdown of many women having to disproportionately juggle work, home schooling and care giving for example have exacerbated how underlying barriers can quickly escalate, if we don't change how organisations view issues like 'presenteeism', 'core hours' and managing by output rather than outcomes. Covid has shone a spotlight on a lot of these issues, and it is incumbent upon us all to do something about it.
Director, Resolution Media & Publishing: and owner, Tees Business magazine
The biggest challenge women and girls face from the very outset of being born is the preconception that they're inferior to boys.
However, in this context and in relation to what I do, in business women generally just get on with their job and tend not to boast about their promotions, successes etc as much as men do.
And, in general, more male business owners employ PR agencies than female business owners do, to promote themselves in the media. At Tees Business, we've tried to highlight women more - through our magazine, but more notably with the Tees Businesswomen Awards. It has taken some time to persuade some ladies in business to take time out and acknowledge - to themselves initially but then to the wider world - their own achievements
For me this has raised the biggest question of all - why do women in general prefer not to talk themselves up, as much as most men do? Is it lack of confidence? Is it just modesty?
It's absolutely crucial that we support this whole agenda - not just through our awards but in other ways - because as a region we'll always under-achieve if some of our girls, for whatever reason, don't have the confidence to aspire to be successful in business or in their careers. Our ultimate aim is that, eventually, there is no need for the Tees Businesswomen Awards. We'd certainly miss them - but it would mean 'job done'.
Business Support Coordinator and HR, The Link
My name is Holly and I am a Business Support Coordinator/ HR at The Link, a locally based professional mental health and emotional well-being provider.
In 2012, I enrolled to study an Undergraduate Law Degree at Teesside University, as this point I did not know what career I wanted to pursue and simply enrolled to gain a degree in a topic that has always interested me and I knew this was a stepping stone to a future career. In my final year, I started working part-time at The Link in an administration role and I was lucky enough to gain a full-time position once my undergrad degree was completed.
I continued to work full time but I knew I wanted to push myself further and progress in my career and started researching management qualifications; this led me to the part-time Master's Degree in Human Resource Management at Teesside University (allowing me to study alongside my role). I enrolled on the course in 2018 which coincided with me being promoted to Business Support Coordinator. I graduated in 2020 with a Distinction and was awarded the CIPD Tees Valley student of the year award (which was a surprise but an honour!)
A typical day in the role of Business Support Coordinator/ HR involves working within The Links business unit, providing ongoing support to the CEO and strategic management team. This includes maintaining finance systems and financial forecasts and also maintaining and developing the company's current HR functions and coordinating all HR activity.
Success is something that you have to define for yourself and for me it's being in a role where I continuously learn and develop within an organisation that makes a positive difference to the lives of children and young people in our area!
Town Centre Manager, Middlesbrough Council
'Success' can be defined and measured in so many ways! I think the most important thing anyone can do is to think about what it means to them. For me, it's about having a job that I'm passionate about, feeling like I'm making a difference and being a positive role model to my two daughters.
I've definitely come across some challenges in my career. When I was an apprentice someone in a senior position told me that a local authority wasn't really a place for a 'young girl' and suggested I pursued a career as a hairdresser instead (this was only in 2000!). I couldn't believe someone in a senior position had that view. If anything, it made me more determined to pursue a career in local government.
Someone even suggested I try to change my Middlesbrough accent to progress my career. Being proud of who I am - a woman, born and bred in Middlesbrough - has definitely given me a level of determination to pursue my goals and tell the difference between constructive and unhelpful feedback.
I'm lucky to have had a lot of support over the years. My twin sister has always been my go-to person for advice and guidance, and my parents gave me the space to choose my own career path (e.g. taking an apprenticeship rather than sixth form and university).
Sally Orlopp no longer works for Middlesbrough Council, but she was the first manager I had that actually asked what I wanted in terms of a career and put steps in place to support me as well as giving me opportunities. I owe a lot to her for having faith in me and for her encouragement.
In the last 10 years, my eldest daughter Isla has been my biggest motivation and my reason 'why'. When things have been difficult and I've faced tough times, I remind myself why I am doing what I do. It's not only to support my family but so Isla can look up to me and know that being a woman shouldn't make any difference – you can be what you want to be.
Chair of Trustees, Middlesbrough Football Club Foundation
The first point I'd like to make is a positive one in that the difficulties faced by a lot of women in the workplace are now being increasingly recognised in forming the forward business agenda, helped enormously by the publicity and associated initiatives linked to the International Women's Day and Power of Women Campaign. There is much to be done and I think the challenge now for us all is to make sure that momentum is sustained, and the required changes accelerated. Regardless of the business sectors we are involved in, we need to be mindful that support and encouragement of women to develop their careers and maximise their contribution and experience in the workplace is a win for all. It requires a culture change for some in our society and the best way to bring that about is to broadcast the many achievements to date of women in our area who in turn can be valuable role models. The greatest challenge (and opportunity) is for us to continue to work with the schools and communities to ensure that young people regardless of gender have a common choice of career paths and that they receive the maximum encouragement and support in their endeavours – we need to positively direct young people into thinking away from traditional lines. Ambition needs to be nurtured from an early age! There are many examples of organisations adopting new practices and flexible arrangements during the difficulties of this past year, and whilst these were borne out of necessity, they can also be a catalyst for the future in encouraging a more innovative and flexible approach in employment. This can be an important part of the solution in moving forward to ensuring equality of opportunities for all.
Chief Executive Officer, Allies Group
It is clear there are significant challenges women face in rising to the top tier of business within our society, far too few are in charge of UK leading companies. Those individuals that manage to break the mould thrive and often outperform their male contemporaries. Unfortunately there's not enough women willing to take the risk and put themselves out there, I don't know if it's fear of failure or an in-built subconscious ideology ingrained in history and passed down from generation to generation. What I do know is that collectively we need to raise ambition and aspiration levels in our young women to think big, stand tall and shoot for the stars.
There are many reasons why I'm supporting this agenda, one of those being for my beautiful daughters Ava and Ruby - I want them both to believe there is nothing they cannot achieve if they develop their education, work incredibly hard and demonstrate perseverance. That's why I'm working with Teesside University and a group of inspiring leaders to help develop the POWER OF WOMEN - an important Tees Valley campaign specifically designed to inspire the young women of tomorrow.
In 2019, a group of Teesside University media students visited India, as part of a student mobility visit. Catherine Roys, Teesside University Film & TV student, made the following film during the visit, reflecting on her encounters with the women she met during the trip, who challenged her preconceptions and made a profound impression on her.
The women featured in the film all belong to groups who have mobilised to empower themselves and others, challenge the gender norms, and inspire women in their communities to achieve independence, ambition, happiness and progression.
Meet a Women's Co-operative, Lijjat Papad, in Pune, the Association of Women Bikers and a Women's Vocational Training group in Kalupur.
