What are you doing now?
I am Assistant Managing Director at Walter C Parson Funeral Directors.
What route did you take to this point?
From DHSB I went to the University of Surrey and gained a First Class BSc Honours Degree in Business Management. I then spent two years working in London for CBRE Hotels, a hotel consultancy firm.
Any significant crossroads?
My degree included a placement year which I would highly recommend to anyone when looking at universities. I spent a year working with CBRE Hotels as part of my degree and then returned for full time employment after graduating.
Significant decisions you had to make?
I am glad that I took the decision to move away from Plymouth for university and also enjoyed working in London for two years. Both were great experience but I am now glad to be back in Plymouth and working within my family business.
What is good about what your career offers you?
My career as a funeral director is hugely varied on a day to day basis and very rewarding. It’s not a career path which would jump out to many people, but our family business now has ten offices across the South West and employs over 70 people, with more and more young people now interested in joining us. As the seventh generation of the family to work in the business, I hope to be able to take the firm forward to its 200th anniversary.
Any fond memories?
I have many fond memories of DHSB and it was a great place to learn, which set me in great stead for university. I made many close friends at school who I still keep in touch with regularly even though we are all working in different parts of the world.
Most challenging year whilst at DHSB?
For me the most challenging year was certainly Year 12. I found the step up from GCSE to A Level a big jump and struggled to begin with – I’m glad I persevered because otherwise I wouldn’t have gone on to become School Captain and gained my place at university!
Advice for students with us now?
My advice would be to take advantage of any extracurricular activities that come your way – I was a Peer Mentor, School Captain and took part in F1 in Schools and these are the sort of things which grab people’s attention when they look at your CV and I’ve been asked about them at interviews on more than one occasion.
Words of wisdom?
Grasp every opportunity and enjoy your time at DHSB – it’s a great school and stands you in good stead for work or university when you’ve finished school. You’ll be amazed how often you find yourself talking about DHSB once you’ve left!