Not only do we celebrate the students here at Leeds Arts Union, but we want to celebrate the staff too! This is our first Staff Spotlight of the year and today we are hearing from Elli Whitefoot who is the Assistant Careers, Employability and Enterprise Manager.
How would you describe your job role?
The Careers and Employability Team work together to provide our students and recent graduates careers support specifically tailored to creatives. Throughout the year, we offer a range of activities, events, opportunities, resources, and appointments, to give students the opportunity to develop skills and experiences, and research and understand their options.
I am responsible for ‘external engagement’. This covers a multitude of things but, generally speaking, I connect organisations with Leeds Arts University, and vice versa, whether that’s organising opportunities, activities and events for students and graduates, or partnership prospects for the university.Â
I manage Art|Work, our central live briefs and commissions open exclusively to our students, as well as sourcing other experiential learning opportunities, such as part time work, placements, work shadowing, and competitions, in addition to graduate roles.
I also lead on the Creative Networks events series, bringing in high profile speakers to chat about their experiences and give insight into the creative industries.
What does a typical day entail?
I spend a lot of time researching and speaking with organisations, employers, local government bodies, and creative professionals, exploring potential project ideas and opportunities. Managing these projects can take a lot of time and organisation. I often write the briefs and project outlines, consulting on the details with the external organisations, as well as course staff, to ensure they meet our criteria, and offer the most value to students.
I also seek out creative opportunities, relevant to students and early career professionals, for the careers portal and advise employers on job roles, expectations and adverts.
I sit on a number of external working groups with staff from other universities, careers professionals, local organisations and people from the creative industries. This not only allows me to keep up to date with goings on in the industry (and wider labour market) but also means we can learn from what other universities are doing, and what organisations say they need, and adapt our support to reflect this.
How does this benefit the Students here at LAU?
Everything the Careers and Employability Team do is intended to help students and graduates prepare for life after university. Whether they want to work for an employer or become a freelancer (or a bit of both), we want to give students the opportunity to build their employability skills and knowledge, in addition to the creative skills and industry insight developed through course, so they feel confident to make decisions about their career not only during their time at university, but throughout their working life.Â
How did you get into this type of work?
Despite working in a careers team, I had no idea what I wanted to do while I was at uni!
I came to Leeds to study for a BA (Hons) English Studies. I knew I didn’t want to teach (the seemingly natural progression of an English student) and, although interested in a Masters in Medieval Literature (yup!) postgraduate loans weren’t available then and I couldn’t afford it.Â
So, I went from signing on for job seekers allowance to working at the Job Centre! I really enjoyed the careers advice aspect of my job and – although I spent some time working in HR, then sales and customer service in between – came to realise I wanted to work in that field again. I applied for a careers role at Leeds Beckett University and all of the different jobs I had undertaken in the past helped me to get the role in their Employer Engagement team. I worked there for 2 years but my heart has always been with the arts and my goal was to work at Leeds College of Art (as it was then). When a role came up for the careers team, I took the chance and was successful. I have now been here 8 years and love it!Â
Much of my career journey was down to happenstance – chances taken on opportunities that came up – and all of the experience I have gained throughout my career has led me here.
What advice would you give to the students?
University is a busy time - there are lots of things to juggle - but I’d really encourage you to take advantage of all of the support offered to you while you are here. You have access to so much help and advice, fantastic facilities, and the freedom to experiment.
Although we offer careers support for 5 years after graduation, if you start thinking about it while studying, and exploring your options, you will be in a much better position when you graduate.Â
Research your options, develop your skills, grow your networks (get to know people in industry), and tailor your applications!
Your careers journey will continue to develop throughout your entire life. Don’t be afraid to take chances and see where they take you. Experience can be gained everywhere and you never know what they might teach you about yourself.
Is there anything outside of work you wish to share with us?
I love art and love to go to art galleries, National Trust and RHS sites, art markets and craft fairs. Anywhere I can soak it all in (and perhaps buy something beautiful). I am also quite crafty and like to try lots of different things.Â
I’ve done all sorts, from stained-glass window making to jewellery making. I am currently doing an evening sewing course, a skills I did have back when I was at college/uni but have since lost confidence in. I also mosaic, do a little bit of linocut, and embroider in my spare time.Â
I have a wonderful ginger cat who loves to loaf in the garden. He’s adorable and always worth a mention.
If you could live in any artwork, what would it be and why?
Van Gogh’s Café Terrace at Night. This isn’t my favourite artwork but one that I always feel gives such a magical, relaxing feeling... I can feel the evening warmth, hear faint music in the air, and imagine sitting drinking coffee on the terrace on a summer’s night whenever I see it.Â
Is there anything else you want to add?
Creatives make the world a better place. Don’t forget to value yourself!
If you want to get in contact with Elli and her team then be sure to email: Careers@leeds-art.ac.uk or pop into the office at BW1.1.01 located above reception.
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