OPINION
JONATHAN MARSHALL, NEW ENERGIES PROJECT DEVELOPMENT MANAGER I began my career as a transport planner, building a foundation in organisation, communication and problem-solving. It was a key stepping stone in progressing my career, teaching me the value of building relationships, mentoring others and learning from mistakes.
I learned the importance of taking time to make decisions, drawing on the experience and knowledge of those around me when facing challenges. It also gave me the confidence to ask questions, regardless of how simple they may seem. These lessons shaped my journey to my current role at Navigator Terminals and continue to influence how I work today.
SHARON BRAITHWAITE, ECOSYSTEM MANAGER, BARCLAYS EAGLE LABS
I began my career later in life after starting a family, aged 30, taking on the role of assistant manager at The Old Farmhouse for Mitchells & Butlers. Working in a fast-paced, customer-focused environment, I managed front- and back-of-house operations, including team leadership, training, rotas, tills, cleanliness, and health and safety.
The role developed key transferable skills such as delivering excellent customer service, managing time and teams effectively, and creating a positive working environment – skills that supported my transition into Barclays as a cashier in 2008.
HASSAN HAMEED, CORPORATE PARTNERSHIPS MANAGER, TEESSIDE HOSPICE My first full-time job was working in hospitality, mainly bar work but also waitering. It taught me to stay calm under pressure – especially during busy times – and the importance of teamwork and clear communication.
It taught me strong people skills through interacting with a wide range of customers and I learned to adapt quickly to different situations. It also built my resilience and work ethic, as the role required long hours, reliability and a consistently positive attitude. I would definitely encourage anyone looking for a job to start in hospitality due to the array of skills you can learn.
JULIE LEONARD, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER, RESOLUTION MEDIA AND PUBLISHING Before my first full-time role, I worked as a waitress at The Ship Inn in Redmarshall while still at school, which taught me how to stay calm under pressure and keep people happy.
My first full-time job was in a sports shop on Stockton High Street, where I realised sales isn’ t a swear word but something I was good at and enjoyed. It was where I discovered I genuinely enjoyed the people side of business- chatting to customers, understanding what they needed and helping them find the right fit. It taught me confidence, communication and, as a bonus, I can still usually guess your shoe size pretty accurately.
JILL CULL, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER, MUCKLE My first full-time job was working as a supervisor for a huge high street retailer. It taught me a lot about hard work but the main thing I took from it was how much I enjoy interacting with people and hearing their stories. Retail became much more to me than just selling clothes and, ultimately, taught me how to work hard, build stronger relationships and in so many ways shaped the person I am, personally and professionally.
ALLISON LEE, COMMUNICATIONS & PR MANAGER, TECHNIP ENERGIES My first full-time job was as a production associate at MTV in New York, producing content in a fast-moving, dynamic environment. It was a real baptism of fire – intense and high-pressure – but it sparked my creativity and taught me how to shape messages that connect with an audience in the moment. I quickly learned the importance of clear communication and thinking on your feet. That experience laid the foundation for my career in communications, where storytelling, adaptability and bringing ideas to life remain at the heart of what I do today at Technip Energies.
The voice of business in the Tees region | 11