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 and Student Outreach Lead

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 Smith, Account Manager

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

The things that get me out of a bed are a loud alarm clock, a cup of tea made with two tea bags, and the feeling that I'm going to spend my day helping people to help other people!

What's your favourite Unifrog tool and why?

From a teacher's point of view, I love the ability to log Interactions. I have seen this put to so many creative uses, by Heads of Year, Tutors, Careers Leads, in PSHE, and so on. Its capacity to keep both students and teachers in the loop is phenomenal. When fully utilised, it does so much of the record-keeping that we know teachers need!

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

I would have to choose a roast dinner. Yes, it's one meal, but you can mix it up! But I'd always have it with horseradish sauce.

What advice would you give to your younger self?

Assume nothing. Always politely check.
 

Amy McCord, Graphic and Motion Designer

What motivates you to work at Unifrog?

If I’d had the tools available to me that Unifrog provides I think it would have made figuring out my life path much less stressful! I think it’s so important that young people have the information on the platform available to them, and in a variety of accessible ways, so they feel empowered to make the choices that feel right to them. I’m motivated by the idea that what I’m creating not only makes things more accessible, but hopefully makes people smile as well!

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

Working with young people from lots of different cultures and walks of life has been a wonderful and an eye-opening process, but it also meant I saw a lot of inequality and frustrating barriers that people had to face. I think being made aware of these things make my design and artwork choices more empathetic.

What's at the top of your bucket list?

My brother bought me a skydive for my birthday but I’m yet to do it! So I have to get on that. I also really want to go to Japan.

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

I just love The Lion King! I think it affected so many of my life choices: the gorgeous animation inspired me to draw and create, the stunning landscapes made me want to travel. I also love cats, so there we go. I was adamant I was going to be a lion when I grew up until I was about six.

Annabel McDonald, Teaching Resources Creator and Editor

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

My team are spread all over the country, and we all work 100% remotely. Before Unifrog, I worked as a Careers and HE Adviser in an independent school in London; I wasn't used to working remotely at all! Initially, I was worried about how it would feel, but I was surprised by how easy it was to adjust.

We use Slack to keep in touch throughout the day. It's great for collaborating on ideas and keeping in touch socially. We also have regular 1:1s and team feedback sessions on Google Meets, and we'll jump on a call for the things that are easier to chat about over the phone. I love our fortnightly team feedback sessions involving a development focus, sharing best practices and collaborating on ideas and projects. It's weird to think I've never met my team in person, considering how well we work together!

What part of your job do you find most challenging?

I was diagnosed with a disability called POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome), a type of dysautonomia (dysfunction of the autonomic system). The simplest way to explain it is that blood doesn't always get to my heart and brain like it should. As a result, it can cause a whole host of 'fun' symptoms like fainting, chest pain, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, dizziness, and very low blood pressure.

I can work around POTS 90% of the time because I work from home part-time and can be flexible with my hours. However, it becomes challenging when it comes to team days because POTS symptoms can fluctuate and be unpredictable; I often can't travel independently for long distances. I'm lucky that 90% of the time, I don’t find POTS is an issue in the workplace, and my team are fantastic at being super inclusive and considerate, but I would love to attend a team day event in person in the future if POTS allows!

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

I would love to meet the composer, lyricist, and actor Lin-Manual Miranda. I'm a huge fan of his work, specifically In The Heights and Hamilton (but who doesn't love Moana and Encanto too!) I love playing the piano, singing, and musical theatre so I'd want to pick his brains for his musical and writing process, how he coped with people telling him that Hamilton would never be a hit, and his favourite song from Hamilton. I'd also want to know what projects he has coming up next!
 
What advice would you give to your younger self?

As a qualified Level 7 careers adviser, I'd go back to my younger self and give myself more informed careers advice. I was told that I was too academic to take certain subjects, and ended up going down a route for A level that didn't align with my genuine interests. I took a gap year to reassess what I wanted to do and ended up really enjoying my time at the university.

I'd go back and reassure myself that you don't need to know exactly what you're going to do at age 14, 15, or 16, and whatever choices you make do not mean they're the only career decisions you're going to make for the rest of your life. You can have many careers in your life, and you should reframe thinking about careers as a 'journey' where you'll pivot and reassess as you react to how life evolves for you. This couldn't be more true after I had to reassess my ways of working after being diagnosed with POTS.
 

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.

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. 

What advice would you give young people?

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, Head of International Business Development

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! 

Hannah Smith, Events Assistant

Describe your role

My role is to assist the Events Manager in the seamless execution of in-person and online events. Generally, that means I have input on webinar topic ideas, creating the descriptions for upcoming events, and uploading all the relevant information onto the Unifrog platform. I also contact webinar hosts, potential panelists, and any Unifrog teams that may find an upcoming event useful as well as lending a hand to the Marketing team. 

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

Having grown up in rural North Yorkshire, I’m truly driven by Unifrog’s mission to level the playing field for students across the country (and the world!) regardless of geoeconomics. Besides that, I love getting to know the team on my lunch breaks and all the social events that take place! 

What was your favourite subject at school and why?

My favourite subject at school was Spanish! Before I moved to Yorkshire, I lived in Kenya and then Milan, so I was exposed to lots of languages and cultures from a very young age which made it all the more interesting to me later in life. I also spoke Italian at Kindergarten in Milan so that made Spanish much easier than other subjects at school.

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

My last answer may be a slight giveaway, but I would love to live in Southern Spain for three reasons: 1) I am like a lizard and love hot places, 2) I would be able to speak Spanish more often, and 3) I could keep my horses on a ranch in the gorgeous Spanish countryside not too far from the beach so I could ride on the beach at weekends!

Ishmael Roslan, Data Insights Analyst

Describe your role at Unifrog

I investigate key questions for Unifrog to solve problems or help others to make data-informed decisions. My day-to-day involves looking for patterns and trends in our company data and then discussing it with colleagues to ensure that Unifrog, and our partners, are taking the best steps to level the playing field.

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

In my early career, as a scientific researcher, I frequently made hypotheses, read articles, and designed and carried out experiments to (hopefully!) support them. In recent times as a teacher, I have had first hand experience of the platform, as a reference writer, and a Sixth Form tutor. This means that I understand what is useful to teachers and students, and how the platform could be improved.

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

I'm a huge fan of fantasy writing and so highly recommend ‘The Two Towers’ from the ‘Lord of the Rings’ trilogy.

What's top of your bucket list?

Although I'm a keen white water kayaker, I haven't done enough of it recently. I would love to take my wife on a kayaking expedition along the White Nile.

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!

Mhairi Drysdale, Recruitment Lead

Describe your role at Unifrog

My role as Recruitment Lead is to attract and help select candidates to join the Unifrog team, and support them throughout their recruitment process. I also onboard all new starters to ensure they have the best start possible to their Unifrog careers.

What's your favourite thing about your role?

I really enjoy getting to speak to lots of candidates, getting to know them, and hearing what excites them about Unifrog. It's great to get to work across all the teams at Unifrog, understanding the hiring needs in different teams and the briefs for new roles. I also really enjoy thinking about how we can continue to make recruitment processes better to ensure all candidates have a really positive experience.

What do you spend money on unreasonably, but very satisfyingly?

It's going to have to be my fancy gym. It really is a splurge but it's one I get so much from. The coaches are amazing and make every workout fun. The only way I can justify the cost is that it makes me very happy and I miss it when I don’t go. I never thought I'd say that about the gym!

What book do you always recommend to other people?

I am not a huge reader, but I do enjoy reading about the human body. I studied biomedical sciences, and although I have forgotten most of it, I do like to every now and then dip back into the subject. ‘The Body’ by Bill Bryson is a book I really enjoyed reading. It has chapters on all the different parts of the body, and diseases that can affect them, so I would recommend that to anyone wanting an easy to read science-y book!

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.

Param Patel, People and Finance Assistant

Describe your role at Unifrog

The role of People and Finance Assistant has a few parts to it. There's the ‘people’ side, which involves helping maintain employee holiday and absence records, booking hotels, and making sure the office is run smoothly – so the HR side of things. And I also support the finance team to manage our bank account, make payments, and respond to enquiries on the email account. So there’s two very different sides to the role, which means every day is a bit different too!

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

It might be a little bit clichéd, but working for a company like Unifrog that has a strong aim – to make sure everyone has access to the information they need to make decisions about their future – gets me up in the morning. It’s great to work for a company with a social goal.

On top of that, everyone I’ve met at Unifrog has been really nice and helpful, which helps get me up in the morning too.

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

I genuinely had no idea for most of my life! When I was 14 or 15, I thought I wanted to be a sports journalist. Then I realised how much I enjoy geography and so I studied that for my degree. But above all, I always wanted to do work that was meaningful, which is how I ended up here at Unifrog.

What about you always surprises people when you tell them?

When people first meet me I think I come across as quite quiet, but I’m very passionate about some of my hobbies. So if you ever see me watching a football game in a stadium, you’d be really caught off guard about how much I get into it! I go crazy if we score a goal. And another thing that surprises people – I have not eaten cake since it made me sick on my tenth birthday!

Polina Andreeva, Account Manager

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

I’ve seen many of the challenges faced by young people when deciding on their futures so I understand how essential it is to provide impartial guidance to all students. My role as Head of Year alongside teaching also involved supporting parents and students at risk of exclusion. It was often about motivating them to reach their future aspirations and goals; it's extremely rewarding and in line with Unifrog’s mission too! Now I focus on providing the most tailored information and responding quickly because I know how busy teachers are. 

What part of your job do you find most challenging?

Keeping it short and simple – it’s tempting to say and write a lot in emails and calls to educators because there is so much to the platform. The truth is, teachers don’t have much time, so it’s essential to understand the context of the school and keep it focused! 

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

A very cheesy toastie – there would have to be a generous amount of melted cheddar between those buttery and crispy sourdough slices. 

What does your ideal weekend look like?

It's hard to decide – I love staying active as much as relaxing. The dream weekend would be a spa by a beautiful lake in the woods with a few friends and a book. Maybe a karaoke night, but delicious food is a must on both days. Maybe some exploring, swimming, and cycling too.

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 a Head of Account Management look like?

As with most roles at Unifrog, every day is different; it's what I love most about my job. Typically I start the day by checking in with the Account Management team, and seeing what's in my diary. It can be a real mixed bag! It might be working on a project to launch a new webinar; or coming up with a process for how the Account Management team can support our 2,500+ schools in the UK so their students get the very best from the platform; or check-ins to see how everyone is getting on in their regions. 

I have a real mix of 'head down and get on with it' work, where I'm analysing data and coming up with creative ways to support schools; and meetings where I'm speaking to Unifroggers, supporting them with problem solving of all different types! Sometimes I come down to London from my home in Newcastle upon Tyne and work in our office.

Which is your favourite resource on the Resources library?

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's the best gig you've ever been to?

I love music, and like a real mix of styles. One band that I've always been a huge fan of is Kings of Leon; I've followed them since their first album in about 2004. I've been lucky enough to see them in Hyde Park alongside another of my favourites, Zac Brown Band, and several other times too. My absolute favourite though, was when they came to Newcastle and played in St James' Park. Geordies are very passionate about our football team and stadium, and it was incredible to combine two things I love!

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, kids, 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.

Shameel Wahid, Finance Lead

Describe your role

My role is really interesting because of how much variety it has. It includes everything from payroll - making sure everyone gets paid correctly - to managing and accurately reflecting Unifrog’s cash flow and financial position. On top of that, I’m also working on some exciting projects around making our financial processes more efficient and automated through the use of technology and a lot of Excel! 

What made you want to work at Unifrog?

There were two things that really stood out to me about Unifrog. The first was its mission; being a part of an organisation that helps students make some of the most important decisions in their life really resonated to me. The second was its culture; Unifrog’s online resources showed how important culture was to the company and what it stood for, and that mattered to me.

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

The first two items I’d want would have to be a duvet and a pillow - I really need my sleep, no matter where I am! And the third would be an autobiography of someone else who’s been stranded on an island. I think it would reassure me to know they’d survived it!

How would your friends describe you?

I think my friends would say I’m calm, indecisive, and forgetful. I’ve lost count of the number of times they’ve had to remind me about something! When it comes to making small decisions, I tend to overthink (it might be my economics background that leads to analysis paralysis). But if all hell breaks loose, they’ll turn to me to stay calm!

Simran Pooni, New Partnerships Lead

What do you enjoy most about working at Unifrog?

Firstly, the platform itself is amazing and has helped thousands of students and teachers with all things careers. As part of my role here at Unifrog, I get to speak to schools and colleges across the UK and explain how the platform can benefit them. It's a great feeling when they decide to come on board. The second thing I enjoy most is how supportive the team are - everyone always takes the time to celebrate each other’s successes. 

How would you describe working in the office?

Working in the office is great! It's sociable but also definitely a productive environment where sometimes we stick our headphones in and power through all our work. The office has lots of plants and a very colourful mural full of frogs that was painted by Alex and Coralie. There’s around 12 of us who work in the London office Monday - Friday and it's always a pleasure when other members of the team pop in for the day.

What have you ticked off your bucket list so far?

The first thing that I ticked off was Skydiving. I've also been on the fastest roller coaster in the world (Formula Rossa in Abu Dhabi) and bungee jumped in Whistler, Canada!

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you choose and why?

Mexico - it's been my favourite place I've travelled to so far - the people are so lovely and friendly. I live for the sunny weather, Mexican food and I’m obsessed with Reggaeton music.

Thomas Ayling, Junior Video Editor

What does an average day as Junior Video Editor for Unifrog look like?

An average day usually starts with a review of current video projects to see where our edits are, to assess how much work still needs to be done and to plan for upcoming videos ahead. I’ll then update Mike, our video lead/project manager, on my plan for the day and begin editing! Once I’ve reached a point where I think a video is good enough for review, I then send it to the video team for feedback and make any amendments necessary before the video goes live on the platform. 

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

I’ve been most surprised by the sheer scope and range of employer and university partners who now work with Unifrog to reach aspiring students. In my first month alone, I’ll have edited videos across our Careers library and employer profiles for national law firms, asset management companies, banks, electrical suppliers, and airlines to name a few!

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

I’d have a big plate of spicy lamb chop curry with garlic naan. I’m a huge fan of Indian cuisine – and the hotter the better!

Which reality TV contest/programme do you think you'd win? 

I reckon I’d have good run on Takeshi's Castle – I watched it so much growing up the show must have instilled some untapped warrior skills in me, ready to be unleashed when the show runners come calling.

Vikki Garner, Partnerships Director (UK and Employers)

What do you find most exciting about working at Unifrog?

So many things! I would probably have to say new developments and the impact they have on schools and students. It's super exciting when you’ve had an idea yourself, or heard about one from the team or a partner school, and then see it develop into a new tool. We always ask a few of our partners to test out new tools, and seeing their reactions as they realise how much of a difference it's going to make to either their CEIAG tracking and management, or opportunities for their students, is equally as exciting as the initial idea.

What part of your job do you find most challenging?

I support the Account Management and Partner Success Teams, and with 2,000 partners to look after, every day is super busy. Our partners provide us with amazing feedback, from how fantastic they're finding the platform to the barriers they have in delivering CEIAG in their schools. I love hearing about these barriers and helping the teams to support our partners to overcome them. I suppose you could say it's our partner schools' challenges that become mine, and I love the challenge of finding the perfect solution. 

Has previous experience as a teacher served you well in this role?

Absolutely! I've had first hand experience of the difficulties when it comes to planning and delivering careers, whether that be a shortage of allocated time, making sure students have the right information for their chosen pathway, trying to create lessons which capture their imagination and raise their aspirations, the list goes on! But it's these experiences - those of the team and of our partner schools - that drive everything we do at Unifrog.  

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

This is a tricky one. I'd have to say Rosa Parks. I'd love to go back in time to watch her make a stand against racism through simply sitting on a bus. That one act sent shockwaves through America and earned her the title of ‘the first lady of civil rights’. A phenomenal woman!

Zoe Mackenzie, HR and Operations Lead

What made you want to work at Unifrog?

One of the reasons I was keen to work at Unifrog was its social mission. It’s quite important to me that my workplace has a wider social purpose. When I had my interview, the staff on the panel were just so friendly too - and having now met the team at the Team Day, I can confirm this goes for everyone else!

What’s your favourite thing about your role?

The best part of my role is the fact that it’s so people-facing. I really enjoy getting to know people, so it’s great to have a role where I get the chance to chat to the whole team, learn what they do, and work out how best I can support them.

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

I think I’d choose to live in Tasmania. In 2020, before the pandemic hit, I was travelling around Australia with a friend and we stayed with a family who lived there. It’s the most beautiful place you can imagine. There’s loads of independent art going on, vineyards, beaches, and freshly grown food. The family I was staying with had a boat, so we even went lobster fishing, caught a lobster, and ate it on the same day!

The one caveat is that I’d have to bring all my family and friends with me, as Tasmania’s a bit of a distance from the UK!

Which reality TV programme do you think you’d win, and why?

I’m not sure if this counts as reality TV, but I definitely think I could win Pointless. I always used to watch it when I was coming home from school, so I’ve got a good knowledge of the different categories that might come up. You have to do it in pairs, so I’d go with my housemate - she’s got the pop culture sorted, and I studied geography at university. So if the right categories came up, I reckon we could win!