Icenian Interview – Tom Holmes

At Langley School between 1999 and 2006, Tom studied PE, French, Psychology, and Media at A level. Here we find out what he’s been up to since.

Did you know what career you wanted to follow at Langley?
No not really, I had always enjoyed sport and the outdoor lifestyle but I didn’t have a particular career in mind. I think I probably knew a traditional 9-5 desk job wasn’t for me though.

Which co-curricular activities were you involved in at Langley?
The range of co-curricular activities was what attracted me to Langley in the first place, so I tried to get involved with as much as I could, especially the sport.

I played for the football and cricket teams from when I joined in Year 7. I was a member of the School’s RAF section in the CCF, I became a prefect, I was an active member of St Giles House, I went on various school trips – including a Geography trip to the Atlas Mountains and Sahara desert, which was a real a highlight.

“Employers openly told me they were drawn to my CV because of the range of co-curricular activities I had been involved with throughout my time at school and university. My experiences at Langley really helped to set me apart from the other applicants.”

Do you think these activities have been useful within your career?
Yes, probably all of them to be honest, if they haven’t contributed directly to my working life, they’ve certainly helped shape me as a person; I learnt and developed my leadership skills on the sports fields at Langley. I started at the School as an introvert and in my final year I was captain of the 1st XI football team, House Captain, a Senior Prefect and Head of Day School.

At the very start of my career, employers openly told me they were drawn to my CV because of the range of co-curricular activities I had been involved with throughout my time at school and university. My experiences at Langley really helped to set me apart from the other applicants.

What did you do after Langley?
I took a gap year and worked in a school in New Zealand before returning to the UK and studying a Sport & Leisure Management degree in Sheffield. I stayed there for a while after university and worked in recruitment. I then got an offer to move back to Norfolk and help deliver the Olympic Torch Relay in 2012. I jumped at the chance and have worked on a number of high-profile events since then, including The Tour De France.

Where are you now in your career and what have been the highlights?
My current role is as Events & Engagement Manager at Big C Cancer Charity. I hadn’t ever considered working for a charity before but I became involved with the organisation after a close family member was diagnosed with cancer. I think the best part of my role is knowing that the events I organise have contributed hundreds of thousands of pounds to support people impacted by cancer.

Did your time at Langley help prepare you for life after school?
I think my time at Langley definitely influenced my career. The School gave me the opportunities to discover the things I’m passionate about and the skills to make a career out of something I enjoy doing.

What advice would you give to students currently considering whether to join Langley, their A level and career choices?
I think if you’ve got a career plan great! If you haven’t, don’t panic. Either way I really recommend trying to get involved with a broad range of different aspects of Langley life. It might help shape your career or you might just learn a new hobby that you can enjoy.