Samar Shah, Head of UK Partner Success

Describe your role

I’m the first point of contact at Unifrog for the majority of schools so, if they have problem or want something updated or changed, they come to me and I help get it sorted.

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

Any superhero who can fly and get to places really quickly! I’d love to visit sunny destinations whenever I feel like it...

What does an average day as a customer success lead look like?

On a typical day I’ll come into the office, respond to emails, and make sure any other project work is progressing smoothly. I also answer the phones and help the rest of the team out whenever I can.

What advice would you give to your schoolgirl self?

Not to stress! I’d tell my schoolgirl self not to worry about the small stuff as it won’t actually matter that much in five years’ time - ignore the drama and hit the books instead.

What do you like the most about your role?

I love that my role can be really varied at times. Although the majority of day-to-day tasks are similar, the project work is very diverse. Also, I get to speak to a lot of teachers on a daily basis and find out how Unifrog is benefiting them, which makes me feel good!

Alex Bailey, Head of Content and Marketing

How has your career background helped you in your role? 

Having moved around a bit, I’ve been lucky enough to be part of tech startups around the world so I’ve seen how growing companies approach marketing and content from lots of different perspectives. My most relevant experience to this role (and what inspired me to apply for the position here!) was my five years at Makers Academy, the 12-week software development bootcamp for career-changers looking to get into tech. I really enjoyed the focus on meta learning and education philosophy and how the company shared Unifrog’s mission to level the playing field when it comes to providing career progression. I’m also a writer and content creator at heart and revel in any opportunity to be creative with those I work with.

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

I keep in touch in any which way is most convenient for them! I prefer Zoom over Google, but am just as likely to call in the old-fashioned way. I’ll use Slack for quick updates and emoji polls, but if there’s much debate or confusion I find talking something through over the phone much easier. For conversations you need multiple pairs of eyes on, a group Slack channel is best.

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

It would be Carl Jung – though I’m not sure what he would make of me! I would be extremely nervous to meet the founder of analytical psychology (!) but have always been very interested in ideas like the collective unconscious and his take on the human condition in general. Plus I’d love to quiz him about his less official artistic side, a collection of illustrations published posthumously in ‘The Red Book’.

What would your superpower be? 

I’d love to be able to fly – that’s my OG answer. But also, I'd like to be able to breathe underwater – in all senses of the phrase.
1. Literally, because I’m a (fairly novice) surfer and it would be great to take bigger risks without worrying you’re going to drown.
2. And metaphorically. Staying completely calm every time something terrifying or unexpected happens would be a pretty neat superpower to have.
 

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.
 

Caroline Collins, Employer Partnerships Manager

Describe your role at Unifrog

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Cassie Ruddock, Data Officer

Describe your role

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

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

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

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

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

What book do you always recommend to other people?

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

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

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

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

Charis Maguire, Information Officer

Describe your role at Unifrog

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

What part of your job do you find most challenging?

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

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

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

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

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

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

Charlotte Constable, Content Creator and Project Manager

What made you want to work for Unifrog?

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

What’s your favourite thing about your role?

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

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

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

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

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

Clara Page, Partner Success Lead

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Coralie Colmez, Director and co-founder

Describe your role

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

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

What advice would you give to your younger self?

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

What book do you always recommend to other people?

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

What does your ideal weekend look like?

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

Dave Nicholson, Account Manager

What made you want to work at Unifrog?

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

Describe your role at Unifrog

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

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

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

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

What's your favourite thing to do outside work?

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

Emily Adkins, Senior Teacher Content Creator & Editor

What made you want to work for Unifrog?

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

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

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

What book do you always recommend to other people?

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

What's your karaoke song?

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

Farhana Somani, 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! 

Helen Clifford, Partner Success Lead

What made you want to work for Unifrog?

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

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

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

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

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

What’s your karaoke song?

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

Jacob Lovick, Area Manager

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

The day breaks. I open one eye, then the other, grinning and chuckling in anticipation of another day of evening out the playing field for school students. I crack my fingers over a warm cup of Earl Grey and delve into the treasure trove of a fresh inbox, hands warmly embracing the keyboard and brain whirring into action. I field enquiries about adding tools to schools’ accounts, demonstrating the platform to those few, those unhappy few, who aren’t yet Unifrog subscribers in North London, East London, Essex, Suffolk, and some parts of South-West London (not including Kingston-upon-Thames). I’ll have strategy calls that change lives, days, moments, with intricately curated advice and feedback. Perhaps I’ll swing by the office, for unlimited free tea and unlimited croissants on Mondays and Thursdays. Then, I tread satisfied, once again, to bed. Satisfied in the knowledge of an Area that has been well and truly 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.

Jake Gill, Area Manager

What made you want to work for Unifrog?

It's really important to me to work for an organisation that really values its social impact, and that couldn't be more true of Unifrog. Before I came to Unifrog, I was working in education engagement in schools across the North, which shone a spotlight on the differences in opportunities presented to young people because of their postcode or background. I wanted to find a role where I could be genuinely passionate about the product, and the more I saw of the platform and the work that goes into it, the more impressed I was! When I heard about Unifrog's goal of levelling the playing field for all students, I knew I had to be part of that mission.

What's your favourite Unifrog tool and why?

It's a close call as there's so many to choose from, but my favourite has to be the Special Opportunities tool. When I was making my own post-18 choices, the amount of digging required to find the right information around special opportunities was immense and a little overwhelming. Scouring pages of university websites to find information and schemes, only to read in the small print that I wasn't eligible, was quite frustrating. When I first saw the Special Opportunities tool, I was amazed at how it brings all the information into one place and what that means in terms of removing barriers and widening participation. 

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

I'd be The Flash. I've always been fascinated by time travel, so having the ability to look back into history or peek into the future would be very cool. Being the fastest man in the DC universe would also come in handy when visiting some of my further partner schools in Scotland and the Lakes.

What's your favourite sandwich?

It depends - if I'm grabbing a meal deal for lunch, a BLT is always a safe bet. But when I first moved to the North East, I was introduced to the Saveloy Dip. Translation: a bread roll with saveloy sausages, pease pudding, mustard, stuffing and dipped in gravy. Don't knock it 'til you've tried it! 

Jess Wells, HE Partnerships Manager

What do you like most about about your role?

This is going to sound super clichéd, but the best thing is definitely meeting new people! As a HE Partnerships Manager, I work with universities across the globe and there is genuinely nothing better than getting to know them, and finding out exactly how Unifrog can support them in achieving their objectives.

What's your favourite Unifrog tool and why?

My favourite is definitely the Special Opportunities tool! I imagine everyone always says this, but I wish I had access to all of that information in one place when I was at school. I think collating important info around widening participation schemes and scholarships is super useful for any student considering university. 

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

I'd definitely want my favourite lip balm; I imagine my lips would get pretty dry in the heat and I'm literally never without it. My dog Muna would also have to be there because she's great company and is pretty well-versed in keeping creepy-crawlies away. And maybe my dry robe so I can enjoy some comfort after a swim in the surrounding ocean.

Build the best ice cream sundae!

I'm a sucker for rum and raisin, so that'd have to be the base. Then a layer of Ben & Jerry's Cookie Dough, and topped off with a dollop of raspberry ripple. Maybe with a sprinkle of peanut M&Ms and Milky Way Magic Stars. I'm not sure if that sounds amazing or totally hideous actually.

Josie Allison, International Area Manager

What motivates you to work at Unifrog?

I was really lucky to have such a great time as a student when I was at university. I made friends for life and loved how much there was to do in London, so I am really motivated to help students around the world find the right university choice for them. Also, the absolutely incredible International Team at Unifrog; working with such lovely people motivates me every day!

What's your favourite Unifrog tool and why?

I love the Subjects library. There are so many incredible subjects to study and even now sometimes I just like to go through them all and imagine what I might do if I went to university again. Having studied anthropology, which is not a very well-known subject at school, I think it is so important for students to be able to broaden their horizons through Unifrog! 

What’s your favourite sandwich?

My favourite guilty pleasure sandwich is the chicken Caesar baguette from Pret. I would genuinely have it every day if I could, and when I travel around to visit schools, it is always my train journey treat.

What's the best joke you know?

What do you call cheese that isn't yours? Nacho cheese! 

Kai Feltham, Account Manager

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

I’m very much a people person, so the thing that gets me out of bed is the enjoyment I get from bothering other people! I’m not very good in my own company, so whether it’s with a teacher or a colleague, I look forward to that first conversation.

What’s your favourite Unifrog tool, and why?

My favourite would have to be the UK Universities tool. When I was at school, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do. I applied for a couple of things, and then panicked the month before I was due to start uni and pulled out at the last minute. Then, I went and did my own research to find what I really wanted to do. So I know that if I’d had access to the UK Universities tool when I was at school, it wouldn’t have been as stressful a process.

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

I’m a lover of proper fresh pasta. If money was no object, I’d eat out as much as I possibly could, so I’d choose pasta from an Italian restaurant. I love seafood as well, so I’d probably go for a dish with salmon, prawns or mussels maybe.

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

I’m quite a busy person and rarely have a lie-in. So my ideal day off would be getting up around 8 or 9am, having a strong coffee, and probably going for a walk around Gunnersbury Park and doing some dog-spotting. I’d go along to the football in the afternoon - I support Wycombe Wanderers, for my sins - then in the evening, I’d see live music at a venue like Brixton Academy or The Roundhouse. And finally, I’d round it off with a couple of drinks, probably regretting some of my decisions the next morning.

Kathryn Donnelly, Account Manager

What made you want to work at Unifrog?

I was a teacher before this and I loved Unifrog - I thought it was an absolutely brilliant platform. But the main motivation for me is to ‘level the playing field’ for students, giving students who aren’t in privileged positions the opportunities to learn what is available to them. I worked in the north east in a deprived area, so I was able to support those students as a teacher, but now I can help students nationwide by working for Unifrog!

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

An average day involves helping lots of teachers via emails and video calls. It’s great because I get to speak to so many people across my region. I’m just about to book my first face-to-face school visit too, which is exciting. 

What book do you always recommend?

I was an English and Film Studies teacher, so I recommend L'Étranger by Albert Camus - it’s amazing - or Ernest Hemingway’s The Sun Also Rises. Both a bit miserable, I’m afraid.

Build the best ice cream sundae

This is so difficult! My dream sundae would be chocolate-heavy, as I’m a bit of a chocoholic. I think peanut butter ice cream on the bottom, maybe some chocolate sauce… Ben & Jerry’s cookie dough ice cream… then some more chocolate sauce… lots of whipped cream (a must), nuts, and some more chocolate sauce. And maybe some more chocolate ice cream in there.

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.

Lizzie Brennan, Data Manager

Describe your role as Data Manager at Unifrog

As Data Manager, I help to maintain and update all of the information we have on our opportunity search tools, as well as researching and designing new tools to add to the platform. This means my job can have an instant impact on hundreds of thousands of students all around the world, which is very exciting! It's super important we have the most up to date, impartial information to show to students to allow them to make informed decisions about their future.

What’s the most challenging part of your job?

I'd say the most challenging part of the job is making sure that we are always on top of the latest developments and releases in education-related data. There are lots of great data sources which release data on a whole range of different areas in education, from the amount of students who go on to a graduate job once they finish a particular course at a particular institution, to the latest Ofsted reports for a school or apprenticeship provider in the UK. We need to make sure we have the most recent, relevant information to share and also look out for any new data points which we could use to supplement the information we already have. Getting feedback from students and teachers using the platform is also crucial to making sure we achieve this.

You were very involved in Unifrog’s move to a new office. How did you make sure that this would be somewhere the team were happy in?

People spend a good chunk of their day at work so we wanted to try and make the new Unifrog office a place people enjoy coming to, rather than just somewhere they have to be! We've made sure the space has lots of light, plants and colourful furniture to promote a happy, positive environment and we’ve also made sure people have the chance to add their own touches to the space. As we've now moved over from a shared to a private office, we've also invested in an office radio and it has exposed us to lots of questionable music tastes…

What are the best and worst bits of being an Arsenal supporter?

I was brought up an Arsenal fan, with my family all having their roots in Islington, but unfortunately during our glory days I was too young to appreciate how good we were. It's good to know our history, but since I started taking a serious interest it all went downhill and let's just say the struggle is real and I'm missing my favourite Frenchman…

Lucy Lundstrom, International Area Manager

Describe your role at Unifrog

As the International Area Manager for the Americas, I get to work with our current partner schools to make sure they are having the best Unifrog experience possible while also connecting with prospective partner schools in the region. That means that I’m often communicating with teachers and counselors, giving demos, and running training sessions for the platform.  

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

Before I started at Unifrog, I was an English language teacher for nine years in Latin America and the US. My students worked so hard and had incredible aspirations, but didn’t always have great access to information about the opportunities that might await them outside of high school. I noticed that applying to universities seemed like an overwhelmingly stressful ordeal, or students would often just apply to nearby schools that were familiar because they didn’t have the tools to sift through the many, many opportunities that were available to them globally. I really believe in Unifrog’s mission, and I like to think that my background in education has provided me useful experience to empathise with and better understand the needs of students, teachers, and counselors who are contending with the sometimes challenging process of higher education applications.

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

This is such a hard question! I love where I live now, in Colombia, but I would ideally like to be somewhere close to the mountains where I can get outside and enjoy nature easily! I’d be deliriously happy to live in a cosy alpine cabin with beautiful views and maybe a lake to swim in nearby! 

What's your party trick?

It’s not much of a trick, but mine would probably be immediately gravitating toward all of the animals in the host’s home and disappearing into a corner somewhere to befriend them!

Megan Soley, HE Partnerships Officer

How has your career background helped you in this role?

I’ve done a little bit of everything in the higher education world over the past few years – student recruitment, event management, sales, schools outreach, marketing; and they all seem to have combined perfectly into this role! Every day I draw upon something different from my background, whether I’m designing best practice guides for our partners, planning how our offerings can be used throughout the recruitment cycle, or supporting the Partnership Managers with the logistics of marketing campaigns and events.

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

Lots of my days involve auditing our higher education partners to make sure everyone is getting the most out of their partnership. I really enjoy my work-from-home ritual of getting a big coffee, a comfy hoodie, and popping on my headphones to dive into some spreadsheets – I feel like a little detective. I think my colleagues can speak to me losing track of time when I'm in data-mode!

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

I would say I'd choose Sebastian Vettel. I grew up watching him being a menace on a Formula 1 track, back-to-back world championships, and now he is a massive inspiration to me with all his work campaigning to save our planet and drawing attention to human rights violations around the world. I feel like he would be a truly kind, motivated, and humble person to be around.

What gives you energy?

I’m a country girl at heart, so nothing revives me like a walk in the fresh air. When I was writing my dissertation I would sometimes go on two to three walks a day to recharge my brain!

Michelle Butterworth, Content Creator and Editor

What do you like most about your role at Unifrog?

I love that I get to learn about so many things. When researching for a new Know-how guide or Subjects library profile, I’ll be looking for answers to questions like ‘what’s the difference between ophthalmics and optometry?’, ‘why study in Canada?’, or ‘what causes anxiety?’ Discovering lots of interesting facts is definitely a perk of the role! 

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

I think Slack has definitely been a game changer - it makes it so easy to brainstorm new ideas or get advice from someone in the team, so I try to use it pretty often. It’s also nice to take part in things like the online yoga class. 

What's the best concert you've ever been to?

The best concert would have to be Rammstein. They really know how to entertain a crowd and their pyrotechnics are mind-blowing.

What's at the top of your bucket list?

I’ve always wanted to try cliff jumping. And if I could do it off Haew Suwat - the waterfall featured in The Beach - that would be a huge bonus! 

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.

Rebecca Scannapieco, Account Manager

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 (Europe)

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.

Sadie Hollins, Content Creator & Project Manager

What motivates you to work at Unifrog?

I am a huge fan of all the different areas of work that Unifrog does. The Know-how library guides cover so many different topics – I haven’t seen anything else like it! The Apprenticeship and University search tools really help students to navigate finding the best opportunity for them. I love being a part of something that puts students at the centre of what they do, and is always trying to think about how to better support students (and teachers!). 

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

Prior to working at Unifrog I worked as a university guidance counselor at an international school in Thailand. I was involved in supporting students' with their uni research and applications to places all over the world, including the UK, US, Canada, the Netherlands, South Korea, Hong Kong, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and Thailand! Applying to universities can be so vastly different in different countries, and I think that working with students has given me a better understanding of what students are looking for, what information they find difficult to find, and what areas they need more support in. 

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

Oooh… I'd probably take chocolate, a cooler to put the chocolate in (to keep my spirits up!), and a flashlight because I don’t like the dark!

What's top of your bucket list?

I’d love to see The Tiger’s Nest temple in Bhutan or road trip across Canada with my wife and two dogs in a campervan!
 

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!