Even though many of our graduates will have progressed in their careers since completing a case study, they are still of interest to students who wish to gain an understanding of the world of work.

I manage the Estates, Finance, Human Resources, ICT and Management Information functions within the College. These five teams have more than 20 staff and manage outsourced catering and cleaning operations. I am responsible for overseeing the College's £5.3mbudget and ensuring we meet the financial standards expected by the Government. With my Senior Leadership Team colleagues, I develop and implement a range of College policies and strategies.

I work with a wide range of staff in College and with external partners, like local schools, Sheffield City Council and other education and training providers.

I am a deputy child protection officer.

Meeting with colleagues to discuss the progress of their work. Working on short and long-term plans and strategies. Liaising with partner organisations. Dealing with staffing and student issues. Preparing reports for Governors and management meetings. Reading and understanding Government funding and policy documents.

The variety and the environment I work in. The chance to see the work I do make a real difference.

Managing the external pressures from the Government and other public bodies. Dealing with complex staffing issues. Communicating and developing a relationship with more than 150 staff. Challenging embedded practices in the education system.

After twelve years in a variety of council and civil service jobs, the last of which was with the Learning and Skills Council, I decided that I wanted to apply and develop my skills in a more front-line role. I had developed a passion for education and the difference it can make to peoples' lives.

This job has given me the opportunity to see what difference I can actually make and feel more productive than in my previous roles.

Verbal and written communication skills. People and resource management skills. Numeracy skills, including the use of complex spreadsheets and calculations. Time management and prioritising skills.

I have access to a range of training opportunities from the Association of Colleges, Sheffield City Council and others.

I joined the Learning and Skills Council in Sheffield in 2005 and held several different roles over the next five years. I spent most of my time there managing the allocations process to colleges and training providers, managing the contracts with them and supporting a range of education and employment partnerships that the LSC was involved in.

I worked as a Partnership Officer at Halton Borough Council, managing the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund and performance management processes of the Halton Strategic Partnership from 2003 to 2005. I took part in the Local Government Association's Future Leadership programme in 2005.

I worked as a Social Enterprise Officer at Cheshire County Council from 2000 to 2003, providing support and advice to a range of social enterprises, especially credit unions.

I worked at Sheffield City Council as part of the Single Regeneration Budget team from 1998 to 2000. During this time I gained a Postgraduate Certificate in Urban Regeneration from Sheffield Hallam University.

I have no firm plans beyond staying at Longley Park. I expect to continue in this role or one similar to it for some time.

Do not worry about what level you start working at, but make sure it is somewhere that interests you and where you can push to get involved and show your skills off. I have found that the transferable skills I developed as part of my degree are the ones I have found most useful.

Make sure you have good interview technique as getting over this first hurdle is probably harder than its ever been.

Sheena  BA (Hons) Journalism Studies (2008)
Freelance Journalist  (Media, publishing and writing)

Accepts questions from students about their career