Having studied English Literature for my undergraduate degree, I wanted to combine the skills I had learnt into a creative career. Who knew that career would be in pensions? When you think of the pensions industry you don’t consider how, like all industries, there are various roles behind the scenes, that funny enough have nothing to do with DB or DC pension schemes but, which are vital to keep the keep the industry functional.
But before I got to where I am today, after completing my degree I knew I wanted to study more. So, I opted to do my master’s in Marketing Management. I chose to study close to home as it allowed me to continue to both educate myself further and keep my existing role in retail management at the same time. I never have been a person to take the easy road, I love to multitask, so not only did I take on a master’s, and manage a fashion retail store, but I underwent a marketing internship part time in London too.
Working in the fast-paced retail industry I built up a true understanding of advertising and the importance of attention to detail. Whilst in my internship I was able to grasp the ins and outs of social media and content curation. As I juggled my masters and my internship, with the world of retail, I become a fully rounded young professional who knew how to organise her time. But the reality was I still had no idea where I was going to end up or what industry I wanted to work in. What came next shocked me!
I was approached by a recruiter for a 10-month contract to cover maternity leave at a communications design agency, only10 minutes from home. It was perfect. I could combine my love of marketing in an industry that was completely new to me. This was the start of my pensions career as I took my first step into employee benefit communications. I watched newsletters be designed, websites be curated, endured the rush of Open Enrolment season, and even got to dabble in internal comms. Despite my role being primarily focused in the design studio itself, I worked with some truly remarkable pensions industry spokespeople who opened up doors for me in my career by enhancing my connections.
Agency life isn’t for the faint hearted, but I got to see how the pensions industry needed marketeers too. I even learnt how pensions were an important aspect to life. At the age of 22 I didn’t know how vital these schemes are and how 50 years down the line I would be grateful of the decisions my young 20 something self-had made about my benefits.
My 10 months there quickly came to an end during the 2020 pandemic, and I was lucky enough to find work straight away within the wonderful ranks of KBPR. The world has funny ways of working, as the design agency I had grown to know, and love, are now one of the clients I get to work with daily. When they say the pensions industry is small and that everyone knows each other they aren’t joking. But that is one of my favourite things about it!
Now as a mid-twenties Marketing Manager I get the opportunity to share my knowledge and potential every day; in an industry I have grown to adore. I get to use my initiative, be creative, and I get to work with some of the most intelligent people I have ever met. I now know about topics such as cost transparency and GMP Equalisation, and I continue to acquire knowledge every day which is great for someone who loves to study and learn new things.
Like I said, the world has funny ways of working, and for me that was to push me towards a career I would have never honestly found on my own. But for that I am thankful, as I can now say I truly love my job and my KBPR family in the world of pensions and investments.
