This week is National Careers Week! To recognise the importance of individualised careers guidance we will share some of the incredible careers some of our former pupils have gone on to have.
The primary aim of the careers department at St Margaret’s is to encourage girls to ask questions about themselves and to assess their strengths and weaknesses, as well as identifying their interests, abilities and aptitudes. This process is linked to the provision of information and advice to the girls tailored to their needs, both individually and in whole-class situations, to allow them ultimately to make informed career choices.
Erin Cornwell - Class of 2015
Erin is a production coordinator at Sky Sports. Her job involves working with the production teams to plan and deliver Sky's global coverage of Formula 1 races. This includes planning shoots, venue and staff bookings, accreditation, travel and budgeting, to name a few!
"I undoubtedly benefited massively from St Margaret's and the nurturing environment at the school. I always felt cared for and encouraged which has definitely contributed to who I am both personally and professionally today. A lot of the values we are taught at St Margaret's I have definitely held close in my time post-school."
Lucy Wong - Class of 2011
Lucy had worked for a global energy company since completing her undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering at the Robert Gordon University. After 5 years in the workplace Lucy returned to university to undertake an MBA in Business Administration at Saïd Business School as a Forté Fellowship Scholar. Lucy graduated this year with Distinction, achieving a place on the Dean's list, and has recently started a new position as Associate, Business Operations at Lightsource bp in London!
"Pursuing an MBA at Oxford was an amazing start to my next career chapter. It was an opportunity to adopt a global mindset, reflect on my professional motivations and connect with a diverse, talented community of like minded individuals.
17 year old me would not have believed I would get the chance to study at Oxford. This experience has reminded me that with hard work and determination, the sky is the limit! Embrace every opportunity to learn and grow, build new connections and don’t be afraid of change - growth happens outside your comfort zone.
I'm not sure where my career will take me, but I'm excited to find out!”
Jenny Lawrence - Class of 2004
Jenny is a senior presenter on Newsround at the BBC. She co-presented Newsround’s 50th anniversary bulletin and also presented a series of special reports following children who have escaped from Ukraine.
She started working on Newsround as a runner, fresh from Uni, after deciding not to pursue a career in Law and has since worked her way up on the programme from runner, researcher, then assistant producer to presenting the show.
Jenny returned to St Margaret's in 2022, hosting a presentation workshop for the junior school girls followed by a career advice session with the senior pupils.
"Visibility is crucial - having role models is very important and I was surrounded by strong women and girls which has had a big impact on me without even realising it. I'm so glad [St Margaret's pupils] have the opportunity to grow up and develop in an environment where they will be encouraged to believe that they can do anything."
Sinead Farrington
Sinead is a Professor of Experimental Particle Physics at the University of Edinburgh, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh and Director of the Particle Physics Department at the Science and Technology Facilities Council. She also works on the ATLAS experiment at the Large Hadron Collider
Professor Farrington returned to Aberdeen in 2023 to be headline speaker at a joint International Day of Women and Girls in Science event held by St Margaret's, Apache, and TechFest. During her talk she explained what drew her towards a career in STEM and her role as a professor at the University of Edinburgh’s School of Physics and Astronomy.
Dr Mary-Jannet Leith
After St Margaret's, Mary-Jannet studied Ancient & Modern History at Oxford University, where she loved performing regularly in college and university concerts and orchestras. She then realised that becoming a professional musician was her true vocation, and applied to the Royal College of Music for a two-year Masters course in Historical Performance. Since then, she has performed around the UK and Europe, both as a soloist and with her own group Ensemble Hesperi, which brings forgotten musical stories to new audiences through imaginative programming and collaborations with other artforms.
Mary-Jannet writes: "I'm so grateful for the wonderful musical start I had at St Meg's - I wouldn't be where I am today without the encouragement and support of the teachers in the school's fantastic music department. Thank you!"
Emily Gifford - Class of 2010
Emily graduated from the University of St Andrews in 2015 with an MA in German and International Relations.
She is currently based in Edinburgh and works at Dynamic Earth – Edinburgh's Science Centre and Planetarium. As Donor Development Manager within the fundraising team, she is responsible for developing relationships with individual donors, including overseeing the Patron and Membership Schemes. Her work supports Dynamic Earth's mission to empower people of all ages with understanding and empathy for the Earth in the face of climate and ecological crises.
Prior to this, Emily was Fundraising Manager at Empty Kitchens Full Hearts, a poverty-alleviation charity, where she led fundraising and communications efforts for the organisation, which transforms surplus food into meals for people in need across Edinburgh.
Before joining Empty Kitchens, she spent seven years at Beyond Borders Scotland, most recently as Projects and Festival Manager. In this role, she led projects focused on women, peace and security, as well as initiatives combating human trafficking and drug-related crime. She was also responsible for delivering the annual Beyond Borders International Festival.
Outside of work, Emily sings with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra Chorus, St Giles’ Cathedral Choir, and the Schola Cantorum of Edinburgh.