Careers in... panel and networking event

Our annual event giving you an insight into specific areas of work. Hear from panel members with experience of working in one of three sectors, in jobs that cover a wide range of career options.

Wednesday 10 April, 6pm to 8pm, Exhibition Centre, Campus West

Careers in… events are for students in any year of study, including postgraduates. This year’s event focuses on:

  • Education
  • Environment and sustainability
  • Screen industries

Please arrive from 5.45pm to take your seat in the lecture theatre for a 6pm start.

Panel members will share their experiences and insights, answer your questions, and be available afterwards to chat more informally while you enjoy a drink and snacks. Come with your questions, or just come and listen - it’s up to you.

Choose the panel that's most relevant to you, and find more details in Handshake, where you can reserve your place.

Feedback from previous attendees

"It was an excellent experience getting to hear from [the panellists] and to gain direct and thoughtful insight into the many opportunities within this industry."

"I gained so much valuable advice on how to enter and navigate this sector."

Panel members and graduate profiles

Matthew Beer - Department for Education

Matt’s career spans various jobs/roles in the education sector. He started as a Maths teacher through the Teach First programme and worked in an “inadequate” secondary school in Essex. From there he went into strategy consulting for the public sector before starting his own education business, VotesforSchools. Now well-established, VotesforSchools supplies educational resources for subjects often left out of the curriculum and champions student voices. After dabbling in the Cabinet Office and Treasury, he went to work and live in Ghana with a position in an Early Childhood development charity for a year before taking a post as Deputy Director for the Northeast at the Department for Education.

Charlotte Bramley - Chemistry teacher

Charlotte completed her BSc in Chemistry in 2018 and then a PGCE in Secondary Science in 2019. Since then Charlotte has been teaching at a secondary school in Harrogate as a Teacher of Chemistry. She has taught a wide variety of classes in this time, from year 7 science all the way through to Year 13 A-level Chemistry. In addition to her classroom teaching, this academic year Charlotte also has a pastoral role within the sixth form.

Sarah Dagnell - Professional Development Leader, STEM Learning Centre

Sarah is a Primary STEM Subject Expert, running training courses predominantly in Science but also Technology, Computing and Maths for primary school teachers. She also mentors school improvement initiatives and helps to develop resources such as online training programmes accessed worldwide. Sarah has a Psychology degree from the University of Nottingham, and was previously a primary school teacher in York.

Nick Glover - Inclusive Learning Adviser, University of York

Nick has a background in student engagement and student voice having previously worked at both YUSU (University of York SU) and Durham Students’ Union. As Student Voice Manager at both SUs, Nick principally worked with Sabbatical Officers and other reps to amplify students' voices, experiences and needs. Nick also worked on several research projects and supported the student officers to campaign on a range of academic and social issues. At YUSU, Nick played a lead role in organising and managing the annual elections. Previous to his experience in higher education, Nick worked as a caseworker and parliamentary researcher for an MP in West Yorkshire.

Nick works in the University’s Inclusive Education Team as an Inclusive Education Adviser. He offers guidance and support to departments across the Faculty of Social Sciences on inclusive learning, teaching and assessment. Nick also supports several University-wide educational enhancement projects, including the University’s Learning & Teaching Fund, which supports students and staff working collaboratively to innovate learning and teaching practice.

Ciya Vyas - Parliament Education

Ciya works in Education and Engagement at UK Parliament, in the Teacher Training team. She works with teachers and educators from across the UK so that they can increase their learners’ understanding of how Parliament works and of how they can engage directly with the work of Parliament. Ciya studied Politics with International Relations at York and graduated in 2022. After enjoying her time working for UoY’s Outreach team whilst studying, she went on to work at St Mary’s University in Widening Participation and Outreach. They delivered both in-school and on-campus support for key groups who are underrepresented in Higher Education (such as low-income families, or Young Carers).

York profiles and mentors

Read about York graduates working in this sector:

Find more on York Profiles and Mentors.

Shaun Gibbons - Head of Carbon Reduction, City of York Council

Shaun is Head of Carbon Reduction at City of York Council, with responsibility for realising the council ambition for York to be a carbon neutral city by 2030. Previously, Shaun specialised in smart energy planning and solutions at the Greater London Authority and low carbon heat networks at the Royal Borough of Greenwich. He started his career in sustainability 15 years ago providing environmental advice to businesses in the North West. He has a Masters in Environmental Management and Sustainable Development and is an Associate Member of the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment. [Taken from York Climate Commission Our Team | York Climate Commission]

Owen Griffiths - Policy and Economics Consultant, ADAS

A previous UoY graduate from Public Administration and Public Policy, Owen Griffiths is a Policy Consultant for ADAS, working within their Policy and Economics department on varied projects. He joined the company in 2023. He has conducted policy analysis and qualitative research for different organisations, including Defra, the OEP (Office for Environmental Protection), and the Welsh Government. 

Sharne McMillian - Head of Wildlife Recovery, Yorkshire Wildlife Trust

Sharne has over 20 years’ experience working in the ecological field which has included consultancy, research, and strategy. This has involved ecological surveys, development of biodiversity management plans, and species conservation strategies for a range of species and habitats in Australia, the UK and Hong Kong. Bringing her diverse experience together, Sharne currently leads the Nature Recovery Directorate at Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, whose aim is to accelerate nature's recovery in Yorkshire - through the use of data and evidence, and influencing decisions and activities for wildlife through strategic advocacy and planning.

Katie Privett - Regional Insights Manager, Northern Powergrid

Katie leads the Regional Insights team to establish interfaces between local authorities and enable collaboration on joined-up infrastructure planning to support regional decarbonisation. She has a degree in Environmental Science, and a Masters in Green Chemistry and Sustainable Industrial Technology from the University of York. Her previous roles include working in the Green Chemistry Centre of Excellence, the York Environmental Sustainability Institute, and the York and North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership, where she led on projects to decarbonise energy generation and use.

Chris Smith - Lead Consultant - Resource Efficiency, Beyondly

Chris is focused on finding solutions to waste and resources challenges as an Environmental Engineer and Data Analyst at Beyondly, a B Corp certified environmental consultancy and compliance scheme. He is driven by a deep interest in waste and resource systems and efficiency and closing gaps towards a circular resource economy. His role focuses on helping clients harness their industry expertise to innovate and navigate beyond the future of UK waste and resources regulations and policy. Chris studied Natural Sciences at Durham University, and has an MSc in Environmental Engineering and Project Management from the University of Leeds. [Taken from LinkedIn]

Read about other York graduates working in this sector:

Find more on York Profiles and Mentors.

Katherine Bell - Physical Assets Supervisor, In-House Studio Production

Katherine graduated from York (History/Politics) in 2018 and was the Station Director of YSTV. She started her career in freelance factual production, working her way up to production coordinator and then made the move to scripted TV and film. Katherine’s current position is under the physical production umbrella working in-house for a studio to manage franchise important props, costumes, sets and vehicles on franchises such as Star Wars.

Benjamin Louden - Visual Effects Supervisor, Viridian FX

Graduating from York University with a BEng Electronic Engineering, and an MA in Postproduction with Visual Effects - Ben was one of the founding members of Viridian FX. Born out of the need to create experimental films using visual effects technology - Viridian has been built from the ground up, with filmmaking, collaboration and staff welfare among its core philosophies. Ben has led the team for over ten years, working on over 40 feature film / TV projects. From local Independent projects right through to Game of Thrones’ House of the Dragon.

Meg Maguire - Audience Research Executive, BBC Children in Need / Returning Officer, NaSTA

Graduating from Business of the Creative Industries in 2023, Meg tried to gain as much experience alongside her studies at University whether it be through various Marketing Internships, Production Runner roles or being elected as Station Director of York Student Television (YSTV). Since graduating from University she has worked at BBC Children in Need, where she is currently Audience Research Executive whilst also keeping involved with Student Television through her role as Returning Officer of NaSTA (National Student Television Association).

Emily Martin - UI UX Designer, The Distance Mobile App Developers

Emily is a UX/UI Designer at The Distance, an app development agency in York. She studied Interactive Media at the University of York and later founded an indie game studio during a Year in Enterprise called ‘Kelp Interactive’, developing ‘Comical Cases’, a comedic murder mystery game. Now, she focuses on enhancing usability and user engagement through effective design solutions.

York profiles and mentors

Read about more York graduates working in this sector:

Find more on York Profiles and Mentors.