Nicolas Weir, International and HE Partnerships Director

Describe your role

As Head of International Sales and Delivery, I'm responsible for looking after our international area managers. I also devise our strategy for how we can grow the international arm of the business, and how we can best look after our current network of partner schools to make sure they use our platform effectively.

On top of this, I'm the Area Manager for Switzerland, so am personally responsible for growing our number of partner schools there, and maintaining great relationships with the schools we work with there already!

What’s at the top of your bucket list?

I love snorkelling, snowboarding, fishing and climbing - any 'outdoor' sport really! Last summer I went to the Alps and climbed the Zinalrothorn, from where you get to see lots of other peaks in the Alps. One of them was Dent Blanche, or ‘White Tooth’, which is just over 4,000m high - it’d be great to climb that next summer.

What motivates you at Unifrog?
 
I’d say there are three main things: firstly, I love building great relationships with counselors and teachers at schools around the world; secondly, it’s great to provide students with access to a fabulous tool that I would have found immensely helpful myself when I was a student; finally, I love working with a brilliant team of people and doing my bit to help the company grow!

What’s your favourite memory of being on the road for Unifrog?

Greg and I recently went to a conference in Bangkok and on our way to the venue we were fortunate enough to be able to take a Hello Kitty tuk tuk through the streets. We saw some great views of the city and I won’t forget that journey easily!

Aishah Nahar, Content Creator

What motivates you to work at Unifrog?

I am motivated by empowering students to make well-informed decisions about their future, regardless of their background. I think there’s a lot to be said for the power of young minds. Working at Unifrog gives me the opportunity to support the growth of independence and resilience of young people across the world. As a bonus, the team and company culture also drives me to be the best Unifrogger I can be. It’s a truly wonderful and inspiring environment to work and grow in! 

What's your favourite Unifrog tool?

My favourite has to be the Know-how library, of course! I have a child-like curiosity about things which I’ve never really outgrown. So while I am a Know-how library content creator, I often find myself lost in the wide array of existing guides. This same energy is what helps me get into research rabbit holes for any new content I create. The other great part about the Know-how library is that we listen to what students want and produce it. So if you have any suggestions, you can always get in touch with the Content team and we’ll see what we can do!

If you could meet any historical figure, who would you choose and why?

Although she is very much alive, it would have to be the iconic Kimberlé Crenshaw. She’s a prominent scholar of critical race theory and a civil rights activist. Crenshaw coined the term ‘Intersectionality’ in 1989 to refer to the specific challenges or discrimination people may experience as a result of their intersecting identity markers. She transformed my understanding of feminism in a way that influences everything I’ve done since. I would love to meet her for a game of crazy golf (and some light discussion on the evolution of third wave feminism and how online campaigns have become a vehicle for global change). I feel like she would be a great mentor and I could learn a lot from her about female leadership. 

What advice would you give to your younger self?

Firstly, you don’t have to have it all figured out. Secondly, surround yourself with people, places, and activities that help you be your best self. And finally, trust your gut instincts more. The older you get, the more you realise that the best thing about life is being in good company (including your own), making mistakes (and learning from them), and self-actualising (we love a growth mindset). So, Yung Aish, stop being a perfectionist, locate your chill, and be kind to yourself! 

Alex Kelly, Director and co-founder

What gets you out of bed in the morning to go to work?

I actually love work, so I always spring out of bed! I'm also addicted to coffee, so the thought of making my first cup is another big motivation.

What part of your job do you find most challenging?

When we first started Unifrog, Coralie and I did pretty much every task there was going, and there were some that I was terrible at (I'm thinking especially of the quarterly VAT return); my job has got a lot better since we've hired wonderful people who are good at the things I'm bad at.

My main responsibility now is product design. I find it so satisfying to go from an idea for a new tool or a way to improve an existing part of the platform, to designing something that I think people will find intuitive and useful. I work closely with Coralie, my co-founder, and Stu our lead programmer, who often knock my initial designs into shape with their more practical minds. I think the most challenging thing about my job now is that it's much quicker to come up with new product ideas than it is to deliver them, so I have to manage my own eagerness to add new things to the platform.

What's the one film you think everyone should see?

I think everyone should watch The Game Changers, a documentary that argues that we eat far too much meat. I'm not saying everything in it is superb science, but all the same, watching it changed my life for the better!

What’s your favourite way to spend a day off?

My ideal day would start with having had eight hours of excellent sleep, then I'd do a mixture of hanging out with Coralie, making and drinking lots of coffee, doing some sport with friends, eating with friends, and maybe even a party with some dancing. It's hard to do two of these days in a row because the partying normally ruins the eight hours of sleep for the next day. If I can't have a day like this, just give me two hours of surfing in Mexico and I'll be very happy!

Alyssa El-Shamma, International New Partnerships Lead

What made you want to work at Unifrog?

Before Unifrog I was a tutor, and my students came from many different schools around the area. I was surprised to notice a lot more excitement and optimism in the students whose schools used Unifrog. I would sometimes catch them chatting about their aspirations and laughing about their ‘personality frogs’. So, I made the (brilliant) decision to join Unifrog so that I can spend my days reaching out to schools across the world, and growing the Unifrog community on a global scale!

How has your background in tutoring helped you in this role?

There are many ways my background in tutoring has helped me in this role. I think most importantly, it gave me perspective. I know how difficult it is to instil confidence in young minds, and I also know how overwhelming the world can seem after school. Unifrog helps both educators and students in countless ways, and this fuels my determination to find new partner schools around the world.

If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Without a doubt, my meal of choice would have to be Pad Thai. I love that Thai dish so much that I ate it nearly every day for three months without getting tired of it. I have even forced myself to get used to spicy food just so I can handle the red chilli on top - sad I know, but it has to be authentic!

What's your karaoke song?

If anyone with super cool music taste is reading this, then my karaoke song is definitely ‘House of the Rising Sun’ or something like that (but truthfully, I’d never say no to ABBA or High School Musical).

Andy McMullan, Employer Partnerships Manager

What made you want to work for Unifrog?

This might sound a little clichéd, but I really believe in Unifrog's mission. Having worked in HE for the best part of nine years, I've seen first-hand the advantages more privileged students have when they arrive at university, with a strong professional network through family and friends, and the benefit of some form of careers guidance early on. Those who haven't had the same level of support are playing catch up from day one. I wanted to join Unifrog to be a part of changing that narrative and supporting students earlier in life.

From a personal perspective, I wish I'd had access to something like Unifrog when I was at school. There was no career guidance or talk of other options, such as apprenticeships. I was someone who went to university because I didn't know what else to do and my school only supported this destination - although I think things worked out well in the end.

How has your background in relationship management and higher education helped you in this role?

My professional background has given me the knowledge and experience to work with employers from a variety of different sectors, and the skills to help them engage effectively with their target audience.

Prior to joining Unifrog I'd worked in the careers offices at The London School of Economics and the University of Essex, as well as in the Faculty of Business & Law at Anglia Ruskin University. During my time in HE, I have predominantly worked in an Employer Engagement capacity. I've been building relationships and partnerships with graduate employers to promote their opportunities; helping them develop and deliver skills and insights seminars; and supporting their strategic objectives regarding equality, diversity and inclusion. I have worked with many different organisations, from large multinationals to local SMEs, and I have learnt to develop solutions to their recruitment challenges. This experience I can now apply to Unifrog's employer partners, but with a focus on school/college students.

If you were stranded on a desert island, what three items would you want with you and why?

My survival skills are fairly non-existent, therefore I think my items would all be about trying to enjoy my time on the island. With that in mind, I would like to take some sort of board, maybe a paddle board or surfboard, because even if I can't escape the island I can at least enjoy being in the water. I'd bring snorkelling gear so I can see all the amazing sea life, and maybe get lucky catching some fish. Lastly I think I'd bring some rum, to enjoy while watching the sunset on the water, and so I can pretend I'm a pirate cast ashore by his mutinous crew. 

What's your coffee order?

If I can start the day with a flat white, I'm smiling. But I'm not really too precious about what type of coffee I drink, as long as it's strong.

Caroline Collins, Employer Partnerships Manager

Describe your role at Unifrog

As an Employer Partnerships Manager, I reach out to both national and international employers showcasing the Unifrog platform and helping them to raise their brand awareness with young people from a diverse range of backgrounds. I plan different opportunities in which students can engage with employers, such as webinars, and help collect information from our employer partners to populate the Know-how library, our Special opportunities tool and our Apprenticeship tool. It’s a very exciting time to start this role as it’s a brand new part of Unifrog, so I’m looking forward to seeing how this area develops and the employer partnerships we create!

How has your background in social enterprise and higher education helped you in this role?

Before starting at Unifrog, I worked as a Partnership and Engagement Manager at Enactus UK, a youth social enterprise charity which works with university students. My role involved building and delivering partnership plans to ensure that the corporate sponsors achieved return on investment. This role involved exciting opportunities such as working with Amazon’s Black Employee Network to build 1:1 mentoring opportunities, creating virtual work experience weeks with Schroders, building grant funding opportunities with SAP and Sodexo, and helping to change Unilever’s graduate recruitment processes based on Enactus student feedback. I’ve also had the opportunity to work with the Careers and Employment Service at the University of Derby.

Both experiences have built my awareness of employability skills, which are vital for the world of work, and what activities I can create with partner employers to help young people build these. I’m excited to bring my experience to Unifrog and continue to support young people to make the best decision about their future.

If you could meet any celebrity, who would you choose and why?

It would definitely be Helen Bonham Carter! With all of the incredible films she has been in like Harry Potter, the King’s Speech and the Netflix series the Crown, she’s bound to have some brilliant stories to tell!

What's the one film you think everyone should see?

I'd recommend watching Monuments Men. It's an absolutely incredible film with George Clooney, John Goodman and Bill Murray to name a few. It's about seven museum directors, curators, and art historians from the Allied Forces coming together in an effort to protect, recover, and return priceless artefacts damaged or looted by the German army in World War II and is based on a true story. Make sure you add it to your must-see list!
 

Cassie Ruddock, Data Officer

Describe your role

My job as a Data Officer is to make sure that all the information we have for our students is up to date, relevant, accurate, and as interesting as possible. On a day-to-day basis I perform regular checks on the live information that changes regularly, like work experience opportunities, and our immense Read Watch Listen catalogue. I’ve also been looking at South Korean and Croatian university courses - I get to travel the world from the comfort of my desk! I love working in a methodical, structured way, so this job suits me down to the ground.

How has your background in education helped you in this role?

Before I came to Unifrog, I worked at a sixth form college and university in the learning support team. Working directly with students was lovely and gave me a useful insight into what teenagers and young people deal with when they make decisions about their futures - it can be so difficult having so many options and not knowing where to go or what would fit. It’s helped me understand what will be most useful for students, and shown me how the tools we have are so useful. The Personality profile, for example, that breaks down elements of careers and pathways to help students make decisions, is so brilliant!

If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Pizza! I just don’t get bored of it: the rich, sweet tomato sauce, the melty cheese, some spicy jalapenos, mushrooms, bell peppers, and an indulgent stuffed crust. Mmmmmm.

What book do you always recommend to other people?

I always recommend the Discworld series by Terry Pratchett, and the Tiffany Aching story arc in particular. He writes really well-rounded characters, especially women - they’re angry and complex and speak to each other about things other than men! He has a way of making the characters feel real despite the dragons and magic.

Where is the best place you've ever travelled to? Why is it the best?

Scotland. I come from East Anglia which is beautiful, but very flat! Scotland has the most dramatic, beautiful scenery; it’s like the Lake District doubled in height! The West Coast is my favourite - I got married in Fort William so I’m biased! - but it has white sand beaches and gets so warm in the summer. I would definitely recommend taking the steam train from Fort William to the coast - the scenery is beautiful, you can order a cream tea, and you go over the Glenfinnan Viaduct.

I've actually moved to Scotland and now I'm 10 mins away from the nearest loch meaning I can go on beautiful hikes and cycle rides whenever I want.

Charis Maguire, Information Officer

Describe your role at Unifrog

My main responsibilities are making sure all the information we have on the tools is the most relevant and up to date. On a day-to-day basis this could be doing regular checks across the different tools and adding information when new data is released. I mainly work on the international university tools, so it’s interesting to get an insight into different universities around the world. 

What part of your job do you find most challenging?

The most challenging part of my job is keeping up to date with all the new data releases that need to be put on the platform. There can be many data points for each tool, and we need to make sure we show students and teachers the most recent and interesting information so they are able to benefit from it.

If you were stranded on a desert island, what three items would you want with you and why?

I would bring a surfboard, so I can improve my skills and I feel it’s a practical thing to have on an island. I'd bring a speaker so I can play some throwbacks when morale is low.. and suncream, which is self-explanatory. 

Would you rather be able to teleport or time travel? Why?

It would have to be to teleport. I love to travel, so to be able to be anywhere in the world in an instant would be a dream and make visiting friends so much easier. 

I would be curious to time travel. I studied climate change so it would be interesting to see how things play out in the future.  

Charlotte Constable, Content Creator and Project Manager

What made you want to work for Unifrog?

When I first came across Unifrog, the platform sounded so exciting - and it has exceeded my expectations! The wealth of resources on there is endlessly impressive and would have been so useful when I was at school. I also love writing and video editing, so the role of Content Creator and Project Manager sounded perfect for me. Plus, I admired the warmth and supportiveness of the team and its ethos.

What’s your favourite thing about your role?

I really enjoy creating content for the Know-how libraries. I have a vested interest in mental health and am pursuing counselling training outside of my role, so to write resources which could support young people feels really rewarding.

If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?

I am obsessed with food, so this is tricky! I love a chicken pasanda, but I'd have to go for a good old roast dinner. Maybe I could mix the trimmings up a bit from day to day - more stuffing one day, more potatoes the next... and always the option of a dessert (brownie with ice cream, preferably).

If you could meet any celebrity, who would you choose? 

I'd love to meet Miriam Margolyes. But they say you shouldn't meet your heroes.
 

Clara Page, Partner Success Lead

What gets you out of bed in the morning to go to work?

I'd say the thing that motivates me to leave my nice cosy bed in the morning is the fact that I enjoy helping people with any issues or queries they may have, as I like to think of myself as a good problem solver. Also, in the mornings when I come to the office, it's a real treat to see an amazing sunrise on my way to work as well as picking up a nice coffee en-route. 

What does an average day as a Partner Success Lead look like?

An average day as a Partner Success Lead involves helping teachers and students out with any questions they may have or problems they are experiencing with the platform, either over the phone or via email. We also help onboard new schools through the onboarding process, introducing them to key areas of the platform to get them started on their journey with Unifrog. 

Where is the best place you've ever travelled to? Why is it the best?

I think this is a really tough question. Still, if I had to decide, I'd say Mexico has been the best country I've ever visited as the people are just the friendliest, the scenery is incredible, and the tacos are just amazing! Although my favourite city has got to be St Petersburg, as I visited it when it was snowing, the whole city looked magical, and the Hermitage is one of the best museums I have ever visited. 

What's the one film you think everyone should see?

Again, another impossible question! This is so hard as I would say my film taste is very broad. I like classics such as Viridiana and Rebecca but then also anything with Will Ferrell in, so make of that what you will. I also have a weird obsession with The 'Burbs from the 80s, which is just Tom Hanks and Carrie Fisher at their best. 

Coralie Colmez, Director and co-founder

Describe your role

I'm one of Unifrog's founders, so over the years my role has included pretty much everything from Sales to Data analysis to HR. These days, I get to spend all my time on what I like the most, which is developing the platform. 

We look at ideas from wherever they come, including teachers and students at our partner schools and everyone in the team, and decide which ones we want to go forward with. I then work with Alex (the co-founder) and our lead programmer Stu to make them happen! I focus mostly on our products that involve using data, whether that's information from outside sources like UCAS or job market predictions, or usage stats from the platform. 

How do you make sure you keep in touch with the rest of the team when you’re working remotely?

The person I talk to most is Alex, and I live with him so that hasn't been too challenging! Otherwise, day-to-day I work with a small team that are in charge of the data we use on the platform. Most of what we do is cleanly separated into different projects, so we can keep track of almost everything by email, and an occasional Zoom call. For things that involve more of the team, we started using Slack and it's great, both for smaller work questions and just to keep in touch. 

What advice would you give to your younger self?

Always ask yourself what it is that you really want, and then do that instead of doing what the world expects of you. And remember that the decisions you make are very rarely permanent, and you can change your mind and your life at any point.

What book do you always recommend to other people?

I love reading, so this could be a long list, but one of my favourites is Station Eleven by Emily St John Mandel, which is about… a pandemic - so recently, people have been a lot less enthusiastic when I recommend it to them! Her writing gives the book an addictive other-worldly feeling, and it has a very lovely message about the importance of art. 

What does your ideal weekend look like?

Sleeping in indecently late, sun all weekend, a good party, and the perfect level of hangover.

Dave Nicholson, Account Manager

What made you want to work at Unifrog?

As one of a relatively small number of students at my secondary school who went onto university, I've always felt very aware that the platform needs levelling in terms of students being able to access resources to inspire their decisions for their future. When I became aware of Unifrog and what it offered, I felt slightly jealous I didn't have access to it myself at school age! I was very excited at the prospect of working with schools to offer the platform to their students and supporting them in doing that.

Describe your role at Unifrog

In general terms, I am responsible for trying to make sure that all our Partner Schools in Warwickshire and Oxfordshire (and slightly further afield!) can get the most out of Unifrog.

This means speaking to schools new to the system and helping them use the system to make their lives easier than before they started using Unifrog, and also working with longer term partners to ensure that they are maximising what Unifrog can offer them. This could be new features, an area of the platform they would like to use to support their Careers aims going forwards or simply refreshing them on something they might have already seen.

If you could be any superhero, who would you be?

I think I'd be Spiderman. Sometimes people get down on lil' Spidey because he can't do much apart from shoot webs and react quickly, but I'm a goalkeeper in football. so those reactions would definitely lead to me playing in goal for England. I think the web thing would be very useful for when I'm feeling lazy and want to grab something across the room. Being someone like Superman would be far too much pressure as well.

What's your favourite thing to do outside work?

I'm a big sports fan but I wouldn't honestly say I enjoy following York City FC these days. I love playing cricket on a warm summer day and having a few drinks afterwards. I am also a fan of quizzes - I do a lot of pub quizzes and am part of a quiz league - so I'm reasonably likely to be able to pluck some obscure knowledge out at any given moment. A weak claim to fame is that a clip of me went slightly viral when I appeared on Pointless on the BBC, and not for embarrassing reasons, fortunately.

Emily Adkins, Senior Teacher Content Creator & Editor

What made you want to work for Unifrog?

As a former teacher, I really wanted to stay working in the field of education. I used to enjoy creating teaching resources for myself and colleagues at school, and I am now doing that every day at Unifrog. I had used Unifrog with my own students, so I knew it was an incredibly useful platform to support students in pursuing their career aspirations. I was really excited by the opportunity to work for a company with a positive social impact and help level the playing field for students.  

What does an average day as Senior Teacher Content Creator & Editor look like?

What I like best about the role is that no two days are the same, as I might be creating resources about gambling one day, and relationships the next. My typical day involves researching a topic in depth and creating detailed plans with ideas for learning activities. Then, I get to do the creative bit of turning the plans into PowerPoint presentations for teachers to use with their students in the classroom. There’s a lot of feedback and editing involved too, so that we’re making sure the content is the very best quality for teachers! 

What book do you always recommend to other people?

My background is in psychology so it has to be ‘Elephants on Acid and Other Bizarre Experiments’ by Alex Boese. It’s a collection of weird and wonderful (and often unethical!) experiments that have been conducted in the name of science. It contains a summary of Stanley Milgram’s experiment, in which the majority of people followed orders to give a stranger an electric shock strong enough to kill them! 

What's your karaoke song?

My ‘kitchen karaoke’ song is definitely ‘Naive’ by The Kooks. I’ve been known to play it several times on repeat whilst cooking. But I’m not sure I’d subject anyone to my singing voice outside of the house, no matter what the song was! 

Farhana Somani, International Area Manager

Describe your role as an International Area Manager at Unifrog

My role is to introduce Unifrog to schools in Asia and help counselors and students at those schools get the most out of the platform. I'm from London, but I'm based in Hong Kong, so it's easy for schools in Asia to get personal Unifrog support whenever they need it. 

What does a normal day look like?

It's a cliché, but one of the best things about my role is that no two days are the same. I might be in the office training counselors on a video call, visiting a school to launch Unifrog to students, or at a conference meeting counselors from all over Asia. I also chat to my team regularly to bounce ideas off them - even though we're scattered around the world, everyone is really supportive. 

What do you enjoy most about living and working abroad?

Before getting this job I'd never been to Asia, so it's been amazing to explore new places on work trips and weekends - and try the food. My favourite trip so far has been to Vietnam, where I tried my first grilled frog!

Hong Kong is a really exciting place to live and I'm always learning new things about the city. My current challenge is to learn some more Cantonese so I can talk to taxi drivers.

What do you miss about home?

Nando's, my eyebrow lady, and complaining about the cold.

Greg Brown, HE Partnerships Manager

What does a good work day look like to you?

The great thing about working at Unifrog is that every day is different and we are constantly innovating! As a University Partnerships Manager I’m often travelling, so when not on the road at conferences or fairs I really enjoy working from home in the peace and quiet. Plus, I always get to choose the 'office' music!

A good day will involve meeting with Unifrog partners, which requires me to be flexible with timing – I could be speaking with people in India in the morning, Europe at lunchtime and the USA in the evening!

What’s the most exciting thing that’s happened to you whilst travelling for work?

A couple of years ago I was in Singapore visiting some Unifrog schools and I decided to take a trip to the ‘Treetop Walk’ in MacRitchie Park. I knew there were lots of macaque monkeys around but I didn’t bet on just how aggressive they could be. As I was crossing the bridge I saw them sizing me up but decided to take a selfie on the bridge anyway. Just as I was looking at the screen, I could see a big macaque monkey charging at me from behind! It jumped on to my shoulders, reached into my bag and tried to grab my stuff. Thankfully I’d seen it coming so turned around quickly and fought him off. He was obviously after the Unifrog booklets in my bag…even the monkeys are keen!

Where are you living at the moment?

A few years ago I moved to Copenhagen from London. I love living here and because Copenhagen is a lot smaller (and quieter) than London, it means you’re never too far from the beach or forests as well as the city centre. The best thing is the freedom to cycle around the city. Danes are obsessed with cycling, and there is even a word - ‘Copenhagenize’ - which describes making a city better for getting around by bike. The food is also amazing and although I’m not that into seafood (which is a big deal here) there are plenty of delicious pastry shops and ice cream stands to keep me happy. If you need an excuse to visit, just google ‘Nyhavn Sunset’.

You grew up in Northern Ireland - what are your favourite things about it?

Northern Ireland has a unique charm to it which is hard to find anywhere else. It’s a small place with a real sense of community. If you meet another person from Northern Ireland elsewhere in the world, then you’ve an instant friend. Despite its small size, it has amazing scenery, from rugged rocky coastlines to sprawling mountains and lakes. The slower pace of life makes it a lovely place to relax when I’m home visiting family and the food always goes down well - an Ulster fry with potato and soda farls, Fifteens and Yellowman honeycomb! 

Helen Clifford, Partner Success Lead

What made you want to work for Unifrog?

I had just finished a PhD and wanted to stay in the education sector, but move more towards outreach and access. I had only just started the job search but when the role with Unifrog came up I was really keen to apply, and it worked out really well! Unifrog’s social mission is really important to me, and I love feeling that I’m a little cog in an organisation that’s making a difference to people every day.

What does an average day as a Partner Success Lead look like?

Busy! We get lots of emails and calls to answer helping our partners to get the most out of Unifrog, as well as solving any tricky technical issues for them.

If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?

I can never say no to noodles, so I'd probably choose pad thai! 

What’s your karaoke song?

I’m not a big karaoke person (don’t tell anyone), but I have learned from past experience that Uptown Girl is never a good choice because the chorus always goes on for far longer than you expect and requires some serious breath control!

Jacqui Hogan, Account Manager

What does your role as an Account Manager at Unifrog involve?

It involves visiting lots of schools and colleges and trying to understand how we might best be able to support them in delivering and monitoring their careers guidance.

What do you enjoy most about working with schools in the North of England?

As a Northener, I love working with schools in the north of England. Every day is different and I enjoy getting to know all the students and teachers in my various partner schools. My work involves a lot of driving and I get to drive through some of the UK's most stunning countryside. 

Is working for a social enterprise important to you?

Working for a social enterprise is very important to me. As a child I lived in what was considered to be an underprivileged area and know only too well the challenges that this can pose to young people. The fact that Unifrog aims to help level out the educational playing field, giving students access to information and resources to help them find the best destinations and opportunities for them is a huge incentive for me and make me feel proud to be a part of it.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

It’s a Marcus Aurelius quote: ‘Do not think that what is hard for you to master is humanly impossible; and if it is humanly possible, consider it to be within your reach.’

Jen Carter, Account Manager

What’s your favourite thing about your role?

My favourite thing by far is getting out into schools and colleges and meeting my contacts, to chat through how they can use Unifrog most effectively. No two schools use it in exactly the same way, and everybody has challenges which I love to try and overcome. The platform is so flexible in the way it can be incorporated into the curriculum, and the perpetual tweaks and content launches mean that my meetings are always punctuated with exclamations of “I didn’t know it could do that!”. 

As my contacts will testify, I love a cuppa and a catch up, and I really enjoy building relationships with my schools and colleges so that everyone feels supported and able to come to me with anything they might need, be it platform queries, suggestions for future tweaks, or requests for training.

What’s your favourite anecdote about Unifrog having an impact on a student’s life?

Technically this isn’t one of my wins, but a fantastic colleague of mine went into a school on the day the Canadian University search tool was launched, and on a whim (or was it pure serendipity?) she decided to showcase that tool. For one of the students there that day, it opened their eyes to the world of possibilities, and they subsequently applied and were accepted to study in Canada. Unifrog really does change lives!

What advice would you give to your 17-year-old self?

There are a few clichés that I could come out with here and they’d all be true! 

• Act now, apologise later.
• Don’t stress too much; whatever will happen is going to happen anyway.
• Follow your instincts - they are there for a reason!
• Pretend to be confident until it comes naturally.
• Procrastinate less (having spent far too long thinking about these questions, I’m not sure I’ve learnt this lesson yet!)

What do you get up to when you’re not working? 

I’m married with two teenagers and a dog, so they take up a lot of my time! Alongside working part-time at Unifrog, I’m also studying towards becoming a qualified Psychotherapist, a subject I love and find fascinating. I also volunteer at Cruse Bereavement as a counsellor which is incredibly rewarding. 

My favourite way to relax is taking long walks along the river near where I live with my dog. That or playing cards, board games and video games with my kids.

John Hillis, Employer Partnerships Manager

Describe your role 

I'm an Area Manager covering Leeds down to Northamptonshire - that's about 250 schools and colleges. When I started in 2015 there was just a small group of us doing everything from admin, accounts, sales and marketing, and training teachers. Now there are around 50 of us! My day usually involves demonstrating the platform to potential partners, training teachers/staff, arranging webinars and CPDs, all from home at the moment until the occasional dog bark or doorbell interrupts the little grey cells!

What's your favourite Unifrog tool and why? 

Apprenticeships and MOOCs. I know that's two favourites, but I've always been passionate about both since joining Unifrog. Both my sons did apprenticeships, and the value of MOOCs is something I've always promoted.

What book do you always recommend to other people? 

The Psychopath Test by Jon Ronson, Tell No One by Harlen Coben, and the Bible, by you-know-who. Something for everyone there!

What's your ideal weekend like? 

Walking in the Lake District. I've gone at least once every year since I was 17, apart from the last year due to the pandemic, and 2001 due to the foot and mouth outbreak. I've been lucky to see the Brocken Spectre recently, and the Hale-Bopp comet in 1997. I think I've done most of the Wainwright walks several times.

What's the most unusual thing you've ever eaten? 

In South Africa, we had snake, crocodile, and impala at a BBQ. The snake was like chicken as was the crocodile, and impala was like fillet steak.

Julia Jaworska, International Partnerships Lead

What motivates you to work at Unifrog?

I've always wanted to work for a company that has a positive social impact, especially on kids and young people. I've benefited enormously from studying internationally and having the right people around me to support my choices. If I could have also had the tools that Unifrog provides, some of the most stressful parts of this process would have been so much easier and simply more fun!

Knowing that the work we do supports young people in making the best choices for their future is what's great about working here. On top of that I really love the culture at Unifrog and working with people from all over the world which is what I get to do as part of the International Team! 

What’s the most surprising thing you’ve learnt working at Unifrog?

The amount of tools and resources on the platform blew me away! Unifrog is so much more than just a destinations platform – it can help students learn about different cultures, acquire new skills, and broaden their horizons in so many ways. The 'if only this was around when I was at school' feeling is strong!

What would your perfect weekend look like?

On a weekend my favourite thing to do is to go for a hike in the Scottish highlands and have a picnic with a view. I've not bagged many munros yet, but you have to start somewhere! Having a drink in the pub after is also a must. Then I'll have a lie-in on Sunday and cook something nice. And if I have a long weekend – I try to travel somewhere I haven't been yet!

What would your superpower be?

Being in a couple of places at the same time – like enhanced teleportation. I do have family and friends in a couple of different countries so it does seem unfair not to be able to be everywhere, always!

Kate Garlick, Head of Teacher Content

What gets you out of bed in the morning to go to work?

I’m incredibly lucky to have a role where I both enjoy my work and really believe in what I’m doing. It’s so important to me to feel like I’m making a positive difference, and the more I find out about the Unifrog platform and everything it has to offer young people, the more proud I feel to be part of the team.

I also really love my home office setup – the vibrant blue walls make me smile every morning!

How do you make sure you keep in touch with the rest of the team working remotely?

We keep in touch using a mixture of emails, video calls, and a messaging platform called Slack. I’m also looking forward to some face-to-face team days to meet people in person. 

After years of teaching in busy secondary schools, I thought that working remotely might feel a little strange or isolating, but it’s amazing how easy it is to communicate and how quickly I settled in and felt part of the team. It helps that everyone who works here is super friendly! 

What would your superpower be?

Because I’ve got friends and family in different parts of the country and the world, I feel like teleportation is the obvious choice. However, there would always be the worry that I’d be kidnapped and experimented on, or forced to use my powers for nefarious purposes. (I’m an overthinker). 

I could get around this by keeping my powers a secret: I’d pretend to begin a journey, hide somewhere with a book and some snacks for a few hours, then teleport to my destination complaining about traffic or baggage delays... but I’d be living on my nerves in case my powers were accidentally exposed!

A less stressful option would be a superpower inspired by the babel fish from Douglas Adams’ The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: the power to understand and speak any language in the universe. Being able to strike up a conversation with anyone in the world in their native language would be unbelievably cool!

What’s your pizza order?

I’m obsessed with vegetables – especially sundried tomatoes and chargrilled artichoke – but my enthusiasm for veg can get out of hand. A few years ago I got very giddy at a pizza place that allowed unlimited toppings and asked for every vegetable on the menu; the resultant pizza was so watery I could have eaten it with a spoon! 

Kelly Lake, Account Manager

What part of your job do you find most challenging?

The thing I find most challenging is actually also one of the things I enjoy the most - it's the fact that no two schools do things the same way. I currently work with around 190 different schools and colleges and each one of them has their own method, their own standards, their own individual goals and challenges... so there's no way I can take a 'one size fits all' approach. It makes my job really varied and I enjoy working with my partner schools to find the best way of supporting them.

Would you rather be able to teleport or time travel? Why?

Both! If I had to pick one I'd say time travel. I have always loved history, I find it fascinating to think that if just one thing had happened another way then our entire lives could be totally different. But it's easy to forget that being an historian is partly about being a storyteller - re-telling and interpreting the events of the past based on sources there's often no real way to prove or disprove. 'History is written by the winners' as the famous quote says, so I'd really like the chance to go back and see things as they actually happened and learn the stories and perspectives of the people you never get to hear about in class.

What have you ticked off your bucket list so far?

Walking over hot coals. My friends arranged a firewalk at their wedding reception a couple of years ago. It was optional and I spent the whole day completely certain that I wasn't going to join in. Then the time came and it occurred to me that I wasn't likely to get the opportunity again any time soon so off came the shoes! It was awesome actually - even though your logical mind knows it must be safe because other people have done it and not been hurt you still have to convince yourself that stepping onto the coals isn't going to end badly for you. I felt amazing once I'd done it!

What about you always surprises people when you tell them?

The fact that I have a collection of swords and knives tends to raise eyebrows! I used to be pretty handy at using them too, a group of friends and I worked in street theatre together and used to choreograph sword-fights for the shows or for demonstrations at events. I never meant to collect them, it all started with me keeping a prop. Then I bought a replica at a local English Heritage event one summer and the numbers have been slowly going up ever since - mostly from people giving them to me rather than me taking shopping trips. I even have a replica Roman suit of armour in my loft! So yes, that tends to surprise (or possibly worry) people.

...that or the fact that I'm a big Sylvester Stallone fan...

Leah Broadstock, Account Manager

What made you want to work for Unifrog?

I hadn't actually heard about Unifrog at first; however, when I did a bit of research, I very quickly found real-life accounts of how great of a company it is to work for! I love the drive and ambition the company holds and the goal of social inclusion, having worked with individuals previously who had experienced exclusion all of their lives. I found it refreshing to hear how much Unifrog care about their employees (and mean it!) and the opportunities available to have an input on the future movements of the company, taking consideration of all the eclectic views and opinions from the diverse workforce.

How do you make sure you keep in touch with the rest of the team when you’re working remotely?

Slack is a godsend and I love that you can get quick answers from your colleagues without blocking up their email inbox. which feels a lot more overwhelming when the numbers add up! I also love the informal/social side it allows when you need a five-minute conversation about something irrelevant to work to give yourself a breather! Naturally, video calls are also a major tool facilitated day to day, and it's nice that you get to see people's faces whilst having more important conversations.

If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Pasta, pasta, and more pasta! I think I was actually a piece of penne before I was born as I feel joy in my soul when I eat it! Any pasta dish (with a side of garlic bread of course) and I'm a happy girl, although my friends often call me Garfield as I am partial to a good lasagne. I've made myself very hungry now...

What's the one film you think everyone should see?

This is SO hard – how could anyone choose just one? It's completely dependent on the mood I'm in! I'm a sucker for a rom-com anywhere where they go abroad and fall in love, and if it includes Adam Sandler, I'm completely sold! ‘Just Go With It’ and ‘Blended’ are two of my favourites from him. However I can re-watch ‘Dirty Dancing’ endlessly and never ever get bored.

Logan Wilcox, Data Analyst

How did you find starting a new job while working remotely?

I had already been working remotely for a while prior to joining Unifrog so it sort of felt like the default. Although, I definitely missed being able to meet people properly, especially since everyone here is super friendly and easy to get on with. 

What's the most surprising thing you've learnt working at Unifrog?

That the thought of work doesn't have to be negative and I can even look forward to it. (I still look forward to finishing and getting out to do something though!)

If you were stranded on a desert island, what three items would you want with you and why?

Magic speakers, a library and Adam Peaty. I'd bring Adam so I can fashion a deckchair out of wood, strap it to his back and ride on out of there once I've read the books and the speakers break.

What advice would you give to your younger self?

Other than the obvious investment advice and some well-placed bets - I'd say focus on yourself and not on your surroundings. Invest time and money into yourself as much as possible. Try as many different things as you can and lean into that which you enjoy, without worrying what others may think.

Matthew Jones, Area Manager

Describe your role as an Area Manager at Unifrog

Every day is different and there is no ‘normal’ or ‘repetitive’ week. As I cover north west England, north and mid Wales, Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man, I travel quite a bit. One day I can be over in Enniskillen in Northern Ireland, the next in Greater Manchester (take a look at a map of the UK - it’s some distance)!

There’s no normal 9-5. Some days I’m on the road at 5.30am or catching a flight over to Belfast at 6am and not walking back through the front door until gone 9pm later that night! Whilst demanding and often very tiring, it’s also exciting, rewarding and most importantly, doesn’t bore me to death! I enjoy the role as it keeps me on my toes and at the end of every day I feel like I’ve achieved something.

You've lived in Anglesey all your life, tell us your favourite fact or thing about what it's like to live there?

Bar two brief stints elsewhere yes, I’ve lived in Anglesey my whole life! When I was 16, I left Anglesey and joined the British Army as an Electronic Avionics Technician in Harrogate. But it wasn’t what I anticipated and I left after 12 months to go back into education and work towards university.

Anglesey really is such a beautiful place to live and many of the teachers I meet love coming over to Anglesey in the summer! What I most love about it is it’s a great place to bring up my daughter (who’s now two)! It has everything - from my family and friends, beautiful beaches, countryside, the mountains of Snowdonia just round the corner and the cities of Liverpool and Chester within a short commute.

What made you want to work at Unifrog?

So, it’s quite an interesting story. I was at home (set the scene) doing some work when I got a call from a friend (and now colleague Tom) asking if I was interested in speaking with his boss regarding a possible job. Out of interest I accepted and Alex, Unifrog’s co-founder, set up a Skype call to show me what exactly Unifrog was.

At the end of the call, Alex asked me for an answer. In my mind I already knew I was going to say yes but I didn’t want to look overly keen and asked for a few days to consider his offer. The next day, I called Alex to accept and made my way to the old office in Bethnal Green on the Saturday afternoon to start training for the following week - dedication!

Seeing how fantastic Unifrog is for supporting kids to make the right choice, to really broadening their horizons and how they can make their aspirations a reality is what sold the job to me. When I joined the army, I wasn’t aware of half the options available to me. I made a naïve decision at 15 without really considering all my options. So you could say what made me want to work for Unifrog is the fantastic product, Alex and Coralie’s vision and my own experiences from having made uninformed decisions!

What do you do to unwind?

I love spending time with my beautiful daughter Raya and dog Baxter (yes, named after the dog in Anchorman!), whether it’s family days out or just a walk with a pit stop to the park. A simple walk is the best thing ever, with Raya jumping up and down in muddy puddles (all parents will be able to relate). Other than spending time with family, I’ll have the occasional day out with friends watching football - from the lunch time kick-off to the evening kick-off and every match in between!

Mike Prokopiou, Video Lead & Project Manager

What made you want to work at Unifrog?

Unifrog seemed like an exciting place to work (and it is)! Everyone I spoke with before I joined was lovely, seemed excited about working here and was full of ideas. I liked the idea of being a part of a growing company and trying something a bit different to working in sport TV production, which is what I was working on before.

What's your favourite tool on the platform, and why?

For my favourite tool, I'd have to say something video related... the Careers library, because it's introduced me to jobs I had no idea even existed.

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?

This is a very tough question. My instant answer would be Wanaka in New Zealand as it's so beautiful there. But I'd also love to live in Asia for a year or so, because I love the foods and cultures... so maybe in Tokyo or Seoul. 

What would your perfect weekend look like?

My perfect weekend would be going to Old Trafford to see Manchester United play (viva Ronaldo), followed by dinner with friends. Then I'd have a chilled Sunday drinking coffee.

Natalie Smith, Account Manager

Describe your role

My role as an Account Manager is to support schools in making the most of the Unifrog platform! This includes meeting with teachers and careers staff, running training sessions and putting together Year Plans.

What do you like most about your role?

Definitely meeting with my schools (albeit virtually!). Everyone is always so lovely and a personal highlight is when they come out with 'wow, I didn’t know it could do that!' Unifrog always brings out lots of brand new tools and resources, which is great to be able to share with my schools as I know it will make their lives much easier! The team at Unifrog is also unbeatable. 

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be? 

Definitely New Zealand! I went travelling there last year (just before Covid-19 hit) and I just fell in love with the place. The views are incredible and the people are so friendly. It helps that I wouldn’t have to learn a new language too, as that isn’t my strong point! 

What was your favorite subject in school and why? 

I think your favourite subject in school tends to just be determined by your favourite teacher! I did really enjoy Geography though, and ended up studying Physical Geography at University. The field trips were definitely a big perk but I can’t say that what I’ve learnt about rocks has been much use when working with schools!

Paul Osbiston, Account Manager

What motivates you to work at Unifrog?

Probably my own experience from school. I can't say there was much, if any, focus on careers. That lack of guidance left me to make my own decision, which, at 16, was to (unsuccessfully) be a rock star. I don't regret my choices, but it definitely highlights the need for comprehensive career guidance.

What do you like the most about your role?

All the lovely teachers and career staff I speak to each day. It's also about the people I work with. I've never worked for an organisation where every single member of staff is that amazing.

What's your favourite sandwich?

There's no straightforward answer here, but there is a story. When I was a student I would turn a week's food shop into one sandwich; I called it a Meat Wallet! It sounds disgusting, but it's not, and now you're going to make one. Get yourself a tiger loaf (unsliced), cut in half then hollow out so you're left with a large pocket (wallet) of bread. Now fill your wallet with a selection of deli meats, bacon, cheeses, and dressing. You can add a side salad if you want the low-cal version. When it's about the size of your head, it's ready to eat. You're welcome.

Would you rather be able to teleport or time travel? Why?

Oh time travel, without question. I have a moderate passion for medieval history. I think it stems from a childhood fantasy of being a knight and living in a castle, which I would still love to do. Bodiam would be a good choice, but it would need some modern additions like a pool and underground motorbike parking. I'd probably add the dungeon back in, just in case. 

Rachel David, Marketing & Events Assistant

Describe your role

In a nutshell, my role is currently split across social media marketing, and graphic design for the posters and promotions of Unifrog’s events and fairs. I’m also helping set those up, along with our themed weeks.

What do you like most about your role (so far)?

I really enjoy being creative, so that element of the graphic design is really fun. Playing an important role in making sure the events run smoothly and seeing them pan out successfully feels good too.

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?

I don’t think I’ve been to enough places to know the answer to this just yet! But I lived in Barcelona as part of my year abroad whilst I was studying Spanish at university, so I’d love to live there again. The combination of city and beach, and its mixture of old and modern architecture, was the perfect balance.

What's your favourite way to spend a day off?

I’d like a bit of pampering! Getting my hair and nails done would be nice. And it sounds really boring, but I also enjoy errands! Tidying my room, doing my laundry… I find I neglect these things after work. So having a day to tick these things off the list is really satisfying.

Rida Wasim, Junior Data Analyst

What made you want to work for Unifrog?

I wanted to work at Unifrog since it was really clear it has a strong social mission. I've always been passionate about working with children and making an impact on their lives, whether it be directly or indirectly. I also had a drive for doing something within the field of data, having done my degree in Geography and Spatial Data Science. I thought it would be impossible to find a role that could combine the two together and still upkeep the company's mission – but then I came across Unifrog! I knew I would love working here and the passion to make a difference and in what they do individually can definitely be seen by everyone who works here, so I'm glad I'm here!
 
What's your favourite Unifrog tool and why?

I love the profile tools, like the Personality profile. I am definitely a quiz person and enjoy using them to see what kind of person I am. Even though I know they're not a full representation of me, they end up being accurate! Of course, the Personality profile guessed me correctly as an INFP. I am glad students have access to this, because when I was going through the university application process, it would have helped me know myself better and know what I could potentially enjoy if I had no clue otherwise.

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?

I can't decide between two places in the world. In my teens, I really wanted to live in South Korea in the future and that dream partially came true when I did summer school over there. It felt like a different world – advanced technology, diverse culture, scenic nature, and great food. The only thing I couldn't stand was the heat. More recently I've visited countries in Scandinavia and similarly to South Korea, it had great city life but also amazing scenery – but definitely wasn't as hot! Maybe I could split my time across the world: six months in Norway and six months in South Korea!

What’s your favourite thing to do outside work?

I love cycling and going on walks. I often go around the Olympic Park as it's got such great views to cycle or walk to around sunset time, and it's a great stress reliever in general. I also love travelling - I have my university degree to thank, for taking us on such awesome field trips, and my dad for nurturing my love to travel!

Robyn Smith, Head of UK Account Management

What does a day in the life of an Account Manager look like?

It's tricky to say what an average day looks like as an Account Manager; no two are remotely the same! Some days I'll be travelling from my home in Newcastle upon Tyne far and wide to Glasgow, York or the Lake District; other days I'm at home with my Jack Russell Terrier Elsie, taking calls and answering emails. Occasionally you'll find me at Unifrog HQ in London.

How has your previous experience as a Barber helped you in this role?

Surprisingly, not many teachers are up for having their hair cut while I'm delivering a Unifrog training session. In all seriousness, my experience as a Barber and business owner has taught me how to really listen to the needs of clients, and come up with solutions to long-suffered and common challenges.

As well as being an Account Manager, you look after the Resources library. Which is your favourite resource?

I really love coming up with new and engaging ways for schools and colleges to deliver their careers education, so creating lesson plans for our Resources library is perfect for me. I built much of my previous career as a Barber on networking, and I believe the art of conversation is an important skill to possess, so it would have to be the ‘World of work: Professional networking’ resource. It's suitable for all students and gives many students an experience they haven't had before.

What does your ideal weekend look like?

I'd start at the gym then grab a coffee to catch up with friends. Then I’d join my husband, daughter and dog on a walk along one of the beautiful Northumberland beaches (Bamburgh is my favourite), before coming back to Newcastle for a Sunday roast with our whole family.

Sheri Barnett, Head of Student Content

Describe your role

My role is Head of Student Content, which means I plan and create content for our Careers, Subjects, and Know-how libraries, I edit content written by the rest of the student content team, and I look after the student content team. I also work with experts, universities, and employers to make sure that what we produce is as helpful as possible, and come up with new projects for the team to work on. In a nutshell, it's a lot of talking, a lot of reading, and a lot of writing - three of my favourite things!

What’s the most surprising thing you’ve learnt working at Unifrog?

The most surprising thing I've learnt working at Unifrog is just how many incredible opportunities there are out there! When I was at school I didn't know I could study in Switzerland, complete a degree in Adventure Filmmaking, or take part in a school leaver programme and study later. There is such a wealth of opportunities out there and - having not had anything like Unifrog growing up - it surprises me every time I find something new and exciting on the platform!

What would your perfect weekend look like?

My perfect weekend would definitely be a city break somewhere in Europe. I love travelling and would quite happily spend every weekend for the rest of eternity exploring new places with my friends or my family.

What's your favourite pizza?

It's controversial! I love a vegetable pizza with extra chillies and pineapple! I also can't eat dairy and hate vegan cheese, so I go cheeseless... at least no one wants to share with me and I get it all to myself!
 

Stephen Rodwell, Operations and Finance Manager

Describe your role as Operations and Finance Manager at Unifrog

I'm responsible for the smooth running of the office from day-to-day, whether that means coordinating our programme of UK and international conferences or helping to improve our team workspace. I also manage the company's finances along with Libbie, our Operations and Finance Assistant. Essentially, this means I keep a close eye on our income and expenditure and try to save money wherever possible! If I ever find a spare moment (rare!), I really enjoy getting involved in other parts of what Unifrog do, whether that's writing and editing for the Unifrog platform or getting stuck into data research.

When you first started, what struck you about Unifrog?

It's a great team of people who support one another and celebrate each other's successes; everyone is eager to help and push the platform forward. It's also inspiring that we have a group of experts in Higher Education and post-16 opportunities who are helping lead the discussion about the future of young people.

As a former teacher, why do you think that what Unifrog is doing is important?

Although I worked in a primary school, I know that my Year 1 pupils would still have loved exploring the different careers on the platform! Every year my class made a ‘Book of Dreams’ where each child drew a picture of what they wanted to be when they were older. In a way, Unifrog is just a grown-up extension of that! Even from a young age, giving children ideas about what careers are out there is hugely important in shaping their aspirations.

If you were stranded on a desert island, what three items would you want with you and why?

A corner sofa, the Beatles discography, and a lifetime supply of cheese. What more could you want?

Tom Yeaman, Data and CRM Manager

When are you at your happiest?

I'm at my happiest when I'm solving problems. Luckily, I get to do this everyday at Unifrog! My role requires me to get stuck into a wide range of problems; I’ve spent time analysing Unifrog usage data to help inform the training we run with partner schools, as well as building automated processes to keep our accountancy software and sales data synchronised. It’s really exciting to be a part of an agile, social mission driven company, where I have greater responsibility and influence on how we achieve our goals. 

What motivates you about your role?

Everyday, we help students make better decisions on their futures - which is pretty motivating in and of itself. Also, I find I'm at my most motivated when I'm working as part of a team. Due to the ambition of the company I'm often collaborating with smart colleagues to solve big problems - meaning I start each day with a spring in my step!

What is your favourite hobby?

That’s a difficult one, but I would say trekking. My wife and I have trekked across Spain, in the Himalayas & through the Costa Rican jungle in the last few years. My legs are still recovering from a 25km walk to Kew Gardens, maybe more of an urban hike than a trek!  PS: my photo was taken near the summit of Acatenango, a dormant volcano in Guatemala.

If you had a superpower, what would it be?

Being able to fly would be hard to beat. It would be enormously satisfying to be able to shave five minutes off my trip to Tesco (oh, and travel the world of course!)

Yoanne Tong, International Partnerships Lead (Europe & Americas)

How has your background in teaching helped you in this role?

Teaching involves a lot of explaining new concepts, breaking down complex information and answering questions - which is basically what I do in my PSL role at Unifrog! My background is in TEFL in private language institutions, which means that keeping all students happy and satisfied was really important - likewise we want to make sure our partner schools feel 100% supported. Finally being on the international team means that I get to work with schools around the world - which is fantastic because in the TEFL world, I was used to working with teachers and students from everywhere!

How do you make sure you keep in touch with the rest of the team when you’re working remotely?

It’s pretty normal for us as everybody on the team lives in different cities/countries! The most difficult part has been the time difference, but we have weekly team meetings, regular socials, and I meet with Arash every day to catch-up. I also love Unifrog’s modern approach to working - we are just trusted to get on with it!

When you were younger, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I was never obsessed with one particular job - I think I wanted to be something different every week. A pop star, a vet, a teacher, a lawyer... I was quite a restless child and always wanted to learn, do, try something new! 

When I was a teenager, my secret dream job was to be a travel writer or journalist - it kind of still is! I really enjoy the process of writing, especially sharing experiences or giving advice, and I find it very therapeutic.

Where is the best place you've travelled to, and why is it your favourite?

Can I have a top three!? I did a three-week trek in the Himalayas a few years ago, and it was just incredible to wake up in the Himalayas and walk five or six hours every day, passing through the tiny mountain villages and the occasional Buddhist monastery! In the same trip, I also spent three months in India, which was just an insane, chaotic experience - the colours, the noise, the smells… everything was a real shock to the system, and the people are so unbelievably kind! 

Finally, of course, Colombia - not just because I lived there for four years! You will never find such an amazing range of landscapes in one country - from crystalline Caribbean beaches and arid desert, to dense Amazon rainforest and coastal Pacific jungle, to Andean mountains and páramos… it’s a nature-lover’s paradise!