My UEA Story: Rebecca

Languages and Communication Studies Alumni

Job Title: Account Director
Employer: Corporate Executive Board
Location: London

Please explain how your career has developed since graduating.

I started working for CEB in a graduate marketing associate role. Since then I have been promoted twice and am currently an Account Director for a portfolio of key accounts based in Switzerland, Scandinavia and South Africa.

What is the most rewarding aspect of your current role?

The exposure I get to C level executives in some of the world's largest organisations (for example Unilever, UBS, Roche, Shell). My role is to talk to them about their functional and business objectives and align CEB products and services accordingly.

What steps did you take in finding employment (e.g. careers centre, job websites, networking events)?

I used several careers websites and also a recruitment agency that specialises in positions for language graduates.

What are the key skills you learnt at UEA?

Presentation skills, analytical thinking and grace under pressure.

How have they made a difference in your career?

The interpersonal and presentation skills I learnt have been invaluable in enabling me to conduct the interactions I have with senior executives. I can confidently and effectively present to leadership teams as a result.

Do you have any tips for current students or recent graduates?

Networking will open up opportunities for you that you might not expect - always worthwhile!

If you use languages in your job, how do you use them and what do you use them for?

Previously I managed a portfolio of accounts in France and Germany and so had the appropriate language skills to interact with executives in their native tongue.

What is the professional and personal value you place on being able to speak a language other than English?

Professionally I have found it earns me credibility with the executives I work with - even if they conduct business day to day in English, having the capability to speak to them in their native tongue goes a long way.

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