Nicolas Weir, Head of International Sales and Delivery

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!

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!

Ashley Walshe, HE Partnerships Manager

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

My days are spent reaching out to new universities both in the UK and across the world, showing them our incredible platform; working on performance reports for our partner universities and identifying key ways our insights can inform their strategy; and planning opportunities - like webinars - for our universities to meaningfully engage with our Unifrog community. 

What do you like the most about your role?

I really enjoy getting to know what a university’s priorities are and figuring out how we can support them in achieving these goals. I also love that I get to interact with a diverse range of people, from Paris to Plymouth or Sheffield to Stirling. 

What was your favourite subject at school and why?

Definitely drama: I’ve always been a bit of a performer and love theatre, literature, and the creative arts. When I was younger, I would always choreograph and perform my own dance shows for my family at Christmas. 

What would your perfect weekend look like?

Pre-pandemic it would involve going out for a few drinks or a gig on Friday night, then making the most of Saturday by getting out of the city for a bike ride or a hike. I like to have a pretty lazy Sunday - maybe meet some friends for a dog walk before rounding off the weekend with a lovely Sunday roast.

Charley Fowler, Area Manager

What do you find most exciting about being a Unifrog Area Manager? 
 
I love the excitement when a new partner school comes on board, and we have the first strategy meeting to establish their goals with the platform. It's exciting to help schools take a step back and think about what beneficial changes using Unifrog can bring to their CEIAG programme. Additionally, my partner schools are spread across the East of England and London, and I find it really exciting when I discover cute coffee shops in places that I never would have visited if it weren't for my job. 

As our Gatsby Benchmark Champion, how do you help schools meet the benchmarks? 

As Gatsby Champion, my role is to be as clued up as possible on all things CEIAG policy related. With my partner schools, I'll support them in various ways with this. Often, we'll go through their CEIAG plan with a fine-toothed comb comparing this with the DfE's guidance on meeting the benchmarks. Many of my partner schools are working towards achieving CEIAG awards, so I'll help them by applying my knowledge of how Unifrog relates to the benchmarks and the assessment frameworks for the awards they're applying for.  

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

Before Unifrog, I was an RE teacher at a secondary school in Camden, London. Teaching gave me first hand experience of the challenges schools face in a variety of areas, as well as the positive impact good careers education can have on students. Teaching develops your resilience and your ability to empathise with others. All of these things drive me to do a really good job of supporting my partner schools as an Area Manager. I enjoy addressing the variety of issues my schools face relating to careers and destinations, and I love celebrating their successes using Unifrog to combat these. 

What’s your favourite song and why? 

Tough question! I'm all for a girl power anthem. Fighter by Christina Aguilera is one of my faves.

Chris Edwards, Area Manager

What does a good day as an Area Manager look like?

As an Area Manager, every single day is different. I can be speaking at a conference in front of hundreds of people one day, and meeting with a local council the next. Hearing feedback from staff and students about how Unifrog has helped them to plan their futures is incredibly rewarding and is always part of a great day at work.

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

Working remotely can definitely be a challenge, but staying in constant touch with colleagues over the phone really helps. I usually use the long car journeys to speak with people on handsfree and I also have about a million work WhatsApp groups, so I never feel too far away.

What’s your favourite thing to do outside work?

I love being active and struggle to sit still for more than ten minutes. I have a particular fascination with martial arts and I am currently doing kickboxing/Muay Thai training five times a week! I also enjoy taking my dog out for long muddy walks and if I'm lucky, I love a good snowboarding holiday too.

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

New Zealand. I went traveling around both islands before going to university, and it was the most incredible place. The scenery is unlike anything anywhere else in the world and there is so much to do. You can even ski and surf on the same day, which is right up my street!

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.

Emily Nash, Teacher Resources Creator and Editor

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

Having not met many people over lockdown, it’s been really lovely getting to know the Unifrog team over Zoom! Everyone is so keen to help out and answer questions, so that helps to break down the barriers that you might imagine you’ll have when you start a new job whilst working remotely.

I miss having a separate home and work space. I’m fantasising about going into the office - which I did not ever imagine saying before lockdown! It’ll be nice to go for work drinks and coffees again with the team.

What part of your job do you find most challenging? 

I’m the writer and editor of Unifrog’s Resources library. The challenge I tackle and enjoy most often is working out what students need when they learn a new topic and how they can best digest this knowledge. I try to think back to the lessons I found most engaging when I was at school. Being given the tools to learn more about myself as a student and explore future options was the most interesting and exciting thing to learn, so I try to bring this to the resources I create.

Besides this, one challenge is choosing a playlist to listen to when I work so that I don't get carried away with singing along!

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

First, I would want a hot shower because there is no greater luxury than relaxing under the hot water. I want to be clean on the island, you know! Secondly, I would want a lifetime supply of soy sauce for all the fish I’ll be catching and frying. It’s the best sauce anyway. And finally, sunglasses. Regardless of island leisurewear, I want to look cool when I'm finally rescued!

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

I feel like I'm cheating on London by saying this, but it would be Tokyo - specifically the Meguro river. There are coffee shops, and galleries, and the most beautiful cherry blossoms. I love living in a big city and I loved getting lost in Tokyo when I visited. It’s a very calm place, which I was surprised by because it’s so hectic. I’ve been taking Japanese lessons for the last couple of years, so maybe one day I’ll actually make the move! 

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

Definitely teleport: there are so many reasons! Mostly, because judging by Dr Who and the movies, time travel rules are scary when you break them! I also want to explore the world - there are so many beautiful places to visit and amazing people to meet in its current form. I also think going back to the past would be lonely - our current time is so different and so technology focused, there’d be no one to really relate to in the past. Plus, teleporting has lower carbon emissions, so it’s a win-win!

Greg Brown, International Area Manager

What does a good work day look like to you?

The great thing about working at Unifrog is that every day is different. As an International Area Manager I’m often travelling, so when not on the road 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 Skype meetings with Unifrog partners and a big part of the role is having a flexible schedule. I can be speaking with people in Kazakhstan in the morning and the Cayman Islands in the evening.

If I’m travelling for work and out in different countries, a successful day is always measured by the positive reactions from students and staff when you present Unifrog at their school. It’s great walking around after the session and hearing the murmurs of excitement.

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! 

Jacob Lovick, Account Manager

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

The day breaks. I open one eye, then the other, looking forward to another day of evening out the playing field for school students. I open my laptop and delve into the treasure trove of a fresh inbox, filled with teachers’ carefully worded queries. Perhaps I’ll be out on the road today, plying my craft with a head full of Year Plans and a school network-compatible laptop at my back. I’ll deliver Staff Trainings that change lives, days, moments. I’ll field phone calls that could make a teacher’s day, year, career, with intricately curated advice and feedback. And then I tread satisfied, once again, to bed. Satisfied in the knowledge of an Account that truly has been Managed.

What part of your job do you find most challenging?

Concise answers. Though it is perhaps possible to be too enthusiastic about the services and benefits that Unifrog can offer a partner school, I often struggle to keep my answers tight and focused to the specifics of the question that’s been asked. I find myself stood at the top of a mountain of metaphors with a dizzy head and wondering how I’d got there. But I hope that, like a Sherpa, my love for the tools that we offer, the range of things available and my willingness to help, will overcome this mountain, and get teachers to where they want to be.

What’s the funniest thing that’s happened to you when you’ve been visiting a school?

The teacher that greeted me at the school reception with the phrase ‘Robert! Great to have you back!’ I had never been to this school before, and my name is not Robert. He took me around the school, introducing me as ‘Robert!’ to absolutely everyone, far more than was necessary. He even once or twice stared at my name badge, which clearly read ‘Jacob’, before proceeding to call me ‘Robert!’ twice or even three times in the following sentence. I then stood up in front of his colleagues, having been introduced as ‘Robert!’ by the same man, and began with the phrase ‘hello everyone, I’m Jacob’. Ashen-faced, the teacher stood and left the room. I didn’t see him again.

What about you always surprises people when you tell them?

I also do a lot of writing and comedy outside of my work for Unifrog. People tend to find this extremely surprising.

Jade Costa, Account Manager

What does an average day as an Account Manager look like?

My job as an Account Manager is to keep on top of how schools are using the platform so I can make suggestions to help them get the most out of their subscription. I support teachers and non-teaching staff, looking after them and training them to use the platform. There’s a lot to do and I travel to lots of different schools, so my normal day needs lots of organising and structuring to make sure I can speak to everybody I need to, and fit everyone in depending on where I’m going to be that day. I also have to squeeze in lunch and play with the dog on my lunch break! 

What's your favourite Unifrog tool and why?

I love the Subjects library. It’s my favourite tool but more from a personal perspective than a professional one. If I’d had it when I was at school, it would have been so helpful! I love the breakdown: you can see what it’s actually like studying that subject, learn the positives and the negatives, and even get an example Personal Statement - students have everything they need! I also love the integration of the Read, Watch, Listen tool - it makes the tool relevant for all ages, whatever stage you’re at. The Subjects library is my favourite thing to talk about with schools.

A genie gives you three wishes—what are they?

Okay, first I would wish to be able to create some sort of hotel for animals. I’m a big animal lover - so I’d love to open a place for animals to relax and for rescue animals to have lots of luxuries and be looked after.

I’m also into tarot and holistic healing, so my second wish would be to really excel here so I can help as many people as possible.

And finally, my third wish would be to publish the books I’m writing. I write about the experiences in life that you go through, why different things happen, and what lessons you can take from them to help you shape your now and your future. I’d love to be a published author and have that trilogy as a best seller.

What’s your favourite thing to do outside work?

Definitely to go out and have a dance with the girls! It’s the thing I’ve missed the most during the pandemic: going out, socialising, and filling my face with food! In fact, my dream weekend would be a weekend break exploring somewhere new with a nice hotel and spa, with some dancing squeezed in there somewhere!

John Hillis, Area 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.

Kim Anderson, Area Manager

How long have you worked at Unifrog and what have been the biggest changes in that time?

I'm pretty old school at Unifrog, joining the company way back in 2015. I can remember the early days when we only had three tools. Unifrog is constantly developing and improving so there isn't just one big change. I guess the main change is that there’s now too many of us to all fit around one desk at Team Day!

What’s your favourite tool on the Unifrog platform? 

It's like asking which is my favourite child! The UK university tool will always be a stand out winner; it never fails to impress people when they see it for the first time. It also makes me wonder how I made a decision on university back in the day, basing my decision purely on the  pictures in prospectuses. Other than that the Subjects library - in particular the 'Geek Out' section - as it’s jam-packed full of cool stuff. I would definitely have loved it as a student.

What part of your role do you find most challenging? 

Getting hold of teachers! You guys are always so busy that trying to find time to speak to a teacher is like trying to pin down water. 

What’s your favourite film and why? 

Film would be my specialist subject on Mastermind. I'm such a geek - surely no-one can have a favourite? I probably have a favourite in every genre. Growing up with a big brother definitely formed my taste, starting with The Goonies, Rocky and Lethal Weapon (I didn't say it was good taste!). But now being a mum, you don't really get a say, although Moana and The Lego Batman Movie are actually surprisingly good.

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.

Mitchell Purnell, Area Manager

Why did you decide to work for Unifrog?

When I first researched Unifrog, I was drawn to the idea of working for a social enterprise with a product that I could be genuinely passionate about. Then I saw Unifrog's apprenticeship content and search tool in action, which completely sealed the deal! When I dropped out of college, I spent weeks trying to search for, and get my head around, apprenticeships. Something I hear a lot is ‘I wish this existed when I was in school’, which is exactly what I was thinking when I decided to work for Unifrog!

Describe your role

My main priority is making sure my amazing partners in the South West utilise all that Unifrog has to offer; not only with platform usage, but also by taking full advantage of our wider network. There really is no such thing as a standard day or week. I run staff trainings, strategy meetings, best-practice CPDs, conference talks/workshops and network meetings. Essentially, I do whatever is required to make sure staff are supported in providing students with the very best careers education, across the South West.

A lot of miles, a few too many fast food restaurants (for the free Wi-Fi) and plenty of work, but I love it.

What's the best thing about working with teachers?

The best thing has to be when you mention something that sparks their interest and sends them off on a passion-fuelled rant. No matter how tired they may be at the end of a long working day, one trigger conversation shows just how passionate they are about what they do, and why they do it. Plus, they’re super competitive if chocolate is on the line!

Please tell us two truths and one lie about yourself.

• I represented Bristol in the UK Junior Tiddlywinks Championships 2002 and came a very respectable 3rd place.
• I hit my peak of stardom at the age of 12, when I directed an award-winning series of short films based on climate change.
• I had chicken pox three times as a child, much to the disbelief of my local GP.

Neil Smith, International New Business Lead

Describe your role

As the International New Partnerships Lead, I’m the first point of contact for new international schools that are interested in joining the Unifrog community. I spend lots of time emailing prospective schools, researching different international schools, designing ways of approaching them, and following that through with targeted campaigns via phone or email. Sometimes they get in touch with us so I look into their school, identify the best parts of the platform for them, and get a demo set up with an Area Manager. 

I’m also on the webinar team, so I help organise and host webinars for staff and students on making decisions about the future or using the platform. I wanted to be on the team because a lot of the time my work is done through emails, so having a more interactive and direct link with students is great and it gives me a different insight into Unifrog.

What made you want to work for Unifrog?

I’ll go with the classic ‘I wish I had access to a resource like this when I was at school.’ I actually ended up dropping out of my first degree programme and reapplying. Even though I finished that one and had some great experiences, I still felt that it wasn’t necessarily the best fit for me. It wasn’t until I went on to do a postgrad that I found myself studying something I absolutely loved in a perfect environment. It’s very easy to go through the motions and not be critical or analytical about what you want to do or how to get to where you want to be, so the more resources students have like Unifrog, the better off they’ll be!

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

Probably snake. I don’t think snake is particularly unusual, but the experience was. I was in Vietnam and had been recommended ‘Snake Village’ as a great place to visit. The whole place was meant to be snake themed, but when we got there, it was just one restaurant with a bunch of snakes! It wasn’t what we were expecting, but it took us so long to get there that we stayed anyway. I’m happy to eat pretty much anything and would probably eat snake again, but it was more of a novelty than a really delicious meal.

Other than that, I guess haggis is unusual. Non-Scots get pretty weirded out by it, but for me it’s normal for special occasions. Of course nowadays you can just buy it wrapped in plastic rather than the more traditional sheep's stomach. Still, it is great served with neeps and tatties (turnips and potatoes).

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

I love travelling - who doesn’t?! I think one of my favourite places I’ve ever been to is Japan. I got a cheap train pass that lets you go anywhere on the condition that you take the slow trains instead of the highspeed ones. I saw many of the big cities and lovely countryside, but for a tenth of the price. I loved being able to travel by old-fashioned, rickety trains at my own pace. My favourite place in Japan is probably Osaka - it has a big city vibe but is more accessible, and you’re right in the centre of lots of other places to visit.

Rebecca Scannapieco, Partner Management Lead

What made you apply to work at Unifrog?

Without wanting to sound clichéd, I knew I would have loved to have access to the platform when I was at school. It makes thinking about and researching your next destination so much easier as a student! Having gained more knowledge of the platform, I know given the chance again, I would have applied to some universities abroad. I also love that the platform has made such a big impact for students and knowing that I’m a part of that is so rewarding.

What did you learn working at Zara that has helped you in this role?  

Working in Zara in my previous job definitely taught me a few things! I was able to improve on my communication skills, multi-tasking and also learning new systems and programmes. Unifrog is constantly changing and so being able to learn a new system quickly comes in handy. And working in an office means I can finally put all my clothes that I have accumulated whilst working at Zara to good use!

What’s your favourite thing about talking to teachers every day?

Whether I’m onboarding new schools, helping teachers with admin-related queries or guiding them through how to use the platform, it’s always really satisfying to know that we are making their job that little bit easier! We tend to speak with the same teachers on a regular basis which is really nice as it makes it more personal. It’s always nice to have a chat with teachers about how they're getting on, and it's fun to speak with teachers from all over the UK - I especially love a Geordie accent!

Which actor would you get to play you in the movie of your life and why?

Anna Kendrick because like her, my singing is Pitch Perfect (although Samar might say otherwise).

Rob Cannings, International Area Manager

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

As International Area Manager for Europe, my day is usually one of two very different scenes. I spend about 7-10 days of every month visiting a different European country, or sometimes two! During these trips, I get to visit our fantastic partner schools and help them integrate Unifrog into their curricula, train staff how to use the platform and most excitingly introduce it to students. I also get to visit schools that we don't yet work with to demonstrate the ways in which Unifrog could help them deliver better careers and higher education guidance for their students. When I'm back at Unifrog HQ here in London, I do all of the above remotely via video chat, recharge and put the finishing touches on the plan for the next trip.

How has your previous experience in Higher Education helped you in this role?

Five years of working in careers and employability services across three different London universities was a great foundation for understanding the environment I now find myself in. In particular, my role at The London School of Economics gave me the opportunity to work very closely with graduate employers from a variety of sectors. This means that I've been involved with helping to shape the future of young people - in one form or another - for a long time now. On a more day to day level, when you've run countless presentations, seminars, and workshops for 18-21 year olds, standing up in front of students a couple of years younger to do something similar doesn't faze you quite as much as it could!

What’s the best thing about travelling as part of your job?

Forgive me for the obvious answer, but as a massive foodie I can't look beyond that. So far in 2020 I've been lucky enough to enjoy ravioli in Rome, gyros in Greece, pastéis de nata in Portugal, and bacalao in Barcelona - do I get extra points for alliteration? - and that's just off the top of my head. As a big football fan, I've also tried to take in a game as often as possible too. I've got to games at the San Siro, Estádio José Alvalade and El Madrigal so far this season. Bonus points for anyone who can name the teams that play in those venues without resorting to Google!

What was the first album you bought?

Being the youngest of four children, I was lucky enough to get some excellent hand-me-down cassettes - yes I was born in the 80s! - from a very young age. I vividly remember dancing around my room to The Prodigy when I was way too young to process the lyrics... I can't remember the first album I bought, but the very first piece of music was a single - Cotton Eye Joe, by Rednex. Thankfully, it didn't lead to me buying whatever God-forsaken album that song featured on. For some extra narrative detail, I also remember that during the trip to Our Price in Torquay to pick up that particular banger, my sister purchased the far more respectable Gangsta's Paradise by Coolio. For shame.

Sheri Barnett, Senior Content Creator and Editor

Describe your role

My role is Senior Content Creator and Editor, which means I research and write new guides for students, I edit guides written by the rest of the content team, and I manage the content team. I also work with experts, universities, and employers to make sure our student facing content is sound, 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 opportunity 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 husband.

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!
 

Sophie Oulton, Area Manager

What does a day in the life of a Unifrog Area Manager look like?

Normally an early start! I work with about 170 schools and colleges across North London, Essex and Suffolk, so I'm often up early to reach somewhere in time for a 9am meeting. Most of my time is spent meeting staff and discussing their goals for careers, and we work out how they can achieve them with Unifrog. I also meet with schools who aren't yet using Unifrog, to talk through how the platform could suit them, and then help them get set up with it. 

What part of your job do you enjoy the most?

Problem solving. I work with lots of different types of schools, who run things in a variety of ways. A big part of my job is adapting Unifrog usage to suit them best, and to make sure it has real impact in every school.

I also love public speaking, which I'm lucky enough to do lots of at the various conferences I attend, or CPDs I run, throughout the year.

How would you describe the culture at Unifrog?

Supportive. The team is always expanding and we're based all across the country, but we constantly check in with each other to see how we're all getting on, and what we can share from our days… whether it's best practice, interesting news we've heard that day, or tweets that have made us laugh!

What would your superpower be?

Always managing to pin the tail on the donkey.

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 Partner Success Lead

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!