Meet Miranda, who graduated from OMBS back in 2011 and has experienced a portfolio career across a wide variety of roles that have been both rewarding and interesting. Here, she talks us through the highlights from being a PA to a high net worth individual to her current position working for a SIPP provider in the financial sector…
When did you graduate from OMBS?
I graduated OMBS in June 2011. I decided to go to university after that to study Nutrition at Roehampton so I hit the working world in June 2014.
What is your current job role title, company name and sector, and where are you working in terms of location?
Since January 2021, I have worked for a SIPP provider called Curtis Banks. I am currently based in the Ipswich office, working in the Annual Statements team. I am also the Complaints Champion for my team which can be a challenge! In my spare time, I am also an Official Prison Visitor. This involves going to HMP Warren Hill, a Category C prison once every 4-6 weeks to see a prisoner, which I have now been doing for 2.5 years. It’s both challenging and very rewarding.
What are the highlights of your career to date?
I used to be a Private PA to a high-net-worth individual. No two days were the same – in fact it was a wild ride from day one. It was my first proper job after university and it taught me a lot. I enjoyed being the “go-to” person for every aspect of the boss’s life and working as part of a big team.
I have also worked for a very well respected Chartered Surveyor, who was so brilliant and passionate about what he did that he only recently retired in his late 70s. It was a privilege to work for someone so talented at their job, and extremely satisfying to type out large invoices for clients! I know I made an important contribution to all the administration that came with the reports he produced. I loved the arbitration cases – they really were the juiciest!
I also successfully nominated Ruby Wax for a UK National Honour and she received an OBE for her services to mental health. This was a mammoth project that required lots of discretion.
What do you love most about your current role or industry sector?
The best part of my current role is communicating with clients. I also love trying to get to the bottom of a complaint or concern and really helping the customer. I look after our team inbox three afternoons a week and this makes my day very varied in terms of the tasks I may be required to complete. There is a very specific timeline and deadline to follow when dealing with a complaint or concern – it’s all systems go when those come in (which luckily isn’t very often!)
What skills learned on the Professional Business Diploma have you found most beneficial to you in your various positions?
I loved the business stocks and shares project at OMBS and my current job now involves looking closely at what our clients invest their pension pot in.
Being able to compose an email or letter correctly and professionally both internally and externally is paramount for the business workplace, not least a good telephone manner and skills. There were so many skills OMBS taught me which I probably use every day without even realising!
How did studying at OMBS help you feel confident about your early career and getting your first role?
Every part of the course at OMBS gave me the confidence to go out into the working world. The interview practice meant that I wasn’t fazed by this (important) part of the job application process. Being skillful in all aspects of IT is an essential part of almost every job in business.
What advice would you give an OMBS student?
I have several pieces, so here we go…
– Make the most of every second of living in Oxford. It’s an incredible city – even more so now than when I lived and studied there.
– I am also a great believer in making sure you ask lots of questions.
– Do make mistakes, because that’s how you learn!
– Give everything a go and deliberately put yourself out of your comfort zone. I joined a running club five months ago and whilst the 5am alarm to get there on time is brutal, it has opened doors and introduced me to some great people I now call firm friends. I was way out of my comfort zone to begin with, but the benefits (socially, mentally, physically) have been incredible. I have also been tasked with finding some brands we can collaborate with which is a really fun side-project to my day job.
– Learn to be punctual. It’s an essential skill in the working world.
Would you like to learn more about the Professional Business Diploma? Contact our Director of Admissions to learn about our regular Open Days.