Latest Icenian Interview – Shana

Q&A with Shana, who was at Langley from 2008 to 2010, studying A-Levels in Law, English, History, Psychology.

During your time at Langley, did you know what career you wanted to pursue?
I thought I did! But that all changed once I got to university and also did a number of apprenticeships during my summer holidays as a student.

Which co-curricular activities were you involved in and have they been useful, for example helping with transferable skills?
I qualified for a Sports Scholarship to gain a place at Langley for my A-levels. I was therefore heavily involved in all sports, but in particular Netball. I also loved good conversation and was naturally drawn towards the debate society, which complimented my A-Level subjects as they were all essay based.

“My time at Langley really helped me realise skills that I always had but never fully embraced at my previous school… My A-Level results definitely helped open doors for me in my professional career and the co-curricular activities for sure contributed to my progression through the years.”

I found that playing sports and debating helped me when leaving Langley, both at university and in my career. Instilling healthy competitiveness and the ability to argue eloquently! Although I studied Law and Business at Leeds University, I started my career in recruitment, which really brought all of these skills to life in a professional field.

Have these activities helped you since school?
Yes absolutely! I think that these activities unlocked something in me that really came into full force when at university, including the softer skills that perhaps don’t get enough attention, such as intuition, resilience and emotional intelligence to name a few.

How did you career begin?
I started my career at Page Group, a global recruitment company, after having completed a summer apprenticeship with them. They sponsored our university Netball Club, which I was coaching at the time and, when negotiating our sponsorship for the year, they offered me an interview. The rest is history.

So far, what have been your post-school highlights?
Post school, I stayed very close to peers I met through Langley. Married with our first baby, Barry Frost (also an alumnus) and I, have lived in Leeds for 10 years and are now back home in Norfolk to raise our family.

Career highlights include becoming a people manager at a global recruitment firm at age 25. Achieving 200% growth year on year for the business that I managed, and spending the last year before maternity leave working at a tech company developing a new technology with some amazing people!

On reflection, did your time at Langley help your attitude towards career choices and progression?
My time at Langley really helped me realise skills that I always had but never fully embraced at my previous school. It helped me have the confidence to defer a year after achieving better results than I expected and enabled me to get to Leeds, which was a much better fit for me. My A-Level results definitely helped open doors for me in my professional career and the co-curricular activities for sure contributed to my progression through the years.

What advice you would give to students considering Langley, their A-Levels or careers?
Do it! Even if just for your A-Levels. I was at my local state school until my final two years of schooling, and without a doubt would not have achieved my results without the help of some amazing teachers at Langley.

Your fondest memory of Langley?
I have too many, but comparing House Music with my sister, and winning as compares of the evening for St Giles, is one that always makes me smile!

Final thoughts
Shout out to Mr Read, Mr Wood and Mr Kempton, who always pushed me and believed that I could achieve more, even if I didn’t at the time.