To mark International Women’s Day we speak to the women leading the creative community at Somerset House. Read on as they share inspirational career advice for the next generation of young female creatives.
What was your first job?
I was a precocious reader, so I amassed a decent collection early on, and this led me to start a lending library for the kids in my neighbourhood (in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe) when I was 9 or 10. Later, I worked Saturdays at my aunt's catering company throughout my teens.
What one piece of career advice would you give to young women?
Your intuition is your best guide. Be proactive in seeking opportunity, and don't wait for permission (age or otherwise) to start forging your own path.
Who has been your most inspirational female role model?
My character was shaped foremost by the proverbial "village" of powerful women who raised me, directly and indirectly. Having said that, during a particularly difficult period after moving countries at 16, I used to hide away in the city music library. I was obsessed with the sound and imagery of punk and industrial/electronic music, so I fell down a rabbit hole of pioneering women such as Poly Styrene, Patti Smith, Ari Up, Cosey Fanni Tutti and Suzanne Ciani. I am not comfortable with the idea of unilaterally saddling any one person with the mantle of "role model", but the stories of those women, and their music, helped me to navigate a challenging time.
Venus Ex Machina's new single Blood Moon is on the NON WORLDWIDE Compilation Trilogy, the first volume of which will be released 16 March on all major streaming platforms.
What was your first job?
The first job I can recall is in a bakery near my local village (I’ve never looked at a coconut macaroon in the same way since!). My first significant role was working in advertising and membership for a magazine called make that specialised in the work of women artists. I started as an intern, then got paid work on marketing and membership and worked my way up to being director.
'Think about the journey and learning potential of all the roles you take'
What one piece of career advice would you give to young women?
Think about the journey and learning potential of all the roles you take – are you inspired by and do you have the same values as the organisation and people who work there? Can you learn from them and what can you bring to the table that they don’t have but need? Make sure you feel excited by the prospect of what you can potentially achieve together. Enthusiasm is infectious!
Who has been your most inspirational female role model?
Besides my mother - who campaigned for women refugees and the homeless, whilst also helping to run music festivals - I guess the first person that comes to mind is Heidi Reitmaier who was the Editor of Make at the time. She was (is) enthusiastic, fearless, confident (even when she didn’t know the answer she knew she’d find somebody who did), tirelessly determined and had a brilliant ability to switch everybody on and make ridiculous things happen quickly.
What was your first job?
Working on a summer play scheme for Waltham Forest Council. It was free-fall fun with 6 -12 year-olds through performance, craft, sport, and a city farm.
What one piece of career advice would you give to young women?
Learn from everything you do – I still draw on things I learned from my first job. Even temporary work that you hate can give you perspectives and experience that can help you progress to the next thing.
Who has been your most inspirational female role model?
No-one in particular – working in the cultural/education sector has meant I’ve been privileged to work with many inspiring women – young, old and everything in between.
What was your first job?
My first job was a paper round at the early age of 10 – a bit daunting at times as I had to deliver papers in the evening, looking back at it now.
What one piece of career advice would you give to young women?
Create a 'Girl Squad', an advisory network. When you're starting out, you don't know what you don't know and so you need to surround yourself with people who have the right skills and expertise. They can provide a sounding board for what you need to get ahead. I have a fantastic mastermind of female friends - we get together, we provide constructive support and we're accountable to each other. It does make a difference.
'Create a 'Girl Squad', an advisory network ... you need to surround yourself with people who have the right skills and expertise'
Who has been your most inspirational female role model?
Undoubtedly my mum! As a young lady in her teens with a lot of energy, drive and ambition, she moved from a small village on the west coast of Ireland to London in the 50s not knowing what would lie in store, with notices on doors and windows saying ‘No Irish, No Blacks, No Dogs’. She then went on to marry a black man and years later remarried another black man and bore nine children over the years. Feeling ostracised from her family and community and as a proud Irish lady she suffered in silence and overcame obstacle after obstacle, until eventually achieving her dream of setting up her own business at the age of 70.
Therefore as we celebrate International Women’s Day, I want to take the opportunity to salute all the forgotten women like my mother who suffered great hardships, made incredible sacrifices so that their children could have the freedom and opportunities that were forsaken to them. #MaryFolan
What was your first job?
My first job was a Saturday job as a teenager working in a seaside shop on St Anne's Pier near Blackpool. I served customers but also blew up beach balls, ate sweets and assembled toy boats - I loved that job!
What one piece of career advice would you give to young women?
Be prepared to work hard and be aware that you might not get your dream job straight away but finding the right environment is a good start. Believe in yourself and persevere.
Who has been your most inspirational female role model?
I have to say my mum and my Auntie Janette - they are both strong, independent, hardworking women with a wonderful sense of fun and enthusiasm.
'Never be afraid to ask for advice'
What was your first job?
My first job after university was a short stint working at Arts & Business, a charity that facilitated corporate support for arts organisations. I did lots of photocopying, but learnt a huge amount about the cultural sector and potential career paths. I’m still in touch with lots of the people I worked with there who are now at all sorts of different arts organisations.
What one piece of career advice would you give to young women?
Never be afraid to ask for advice.
Who has been your most inspirational female role model?
Professionally I would have to say Claire Whitaker, director of live music producers Serious. She took a huge chance on me when I had very little experience and always supported me to take on new responsibilities.
What was your first job?
My first ever job was when I was at school, working as an elf in a shopping centre Santa’s grotto...
What one piece of career advice would you give to young women?
Ask questions. Observe. Take any opportunity. Learn everything you can and treat everybody the same. Don’t ever be afraid that a lack of understanding is a weakness. You will never stop growing.
Who has been your most inspirational female role model?
It’s hard to pick one. I look across and I see all these amazing women I have grown with throughout my career, what they are achieving now in different ways and, crucially, how we inspire each other, support each other, and lift each other up.
'Don’t ever be afraid that a lack of understanding is a weakness. You will never stop growing.'
Find out more about the Creative Job Studio, our inspirational talent and skills development space set up to connect young people with arts professionals.
