EDUCATION

Degree (2007): University of Sussex, BSc Hons. Geography 2:1.

A levels (2003): Geography C, Sport Studies B, Business Studies C, General Studies C

GCSEs (2001): 10 including Maths and English 4B, 6C

WORK EXPERIENCE

American Express: August 2007

I work for the customer services team, answering card members enquires and investigating any disputes. Even in such a short space of time, I feel my communication skills have improved, and that I have a greater understanding of tone and manner when corresponding in a professional environment.

Park View Public House: September 2005- January 2007

I worked on a part-time basis, mainly at the weekends. As I gained more experienced, I was delegated further responsibility, often having to train new people, change barrels, open the pub, and on occasion, clean the lines. I now feel very comfortable and confident in such a highly pressured working atmosphere. No more so was this evident than on August Bank Holiday weekend, during the Brighton Pride Festival, when thousands of partygoers flocked to Preston Park. Working such an intensive shift required not only substantial concentration, but also patience and sensitivity to both colleagues and customers. Towards the end of my employment, I was required to train and manage new members of staff.

Atkins’ Ltd: June 2004- September 2004

I worked full-time for Atkins Environmental Consultants in Peterborough. My job description involved general administration work, using databases and spreadsheets, and chasing up stakeholders on the telephone; however, the most rewarding aspect of the experience was assisting the consultants on-site all over East Anglia. This largely involved taking borehole readings on a flood plain or wading into rivers measuring flow and depth. We often worked closely with the E.A., English Nature, and English Heritage. Consequently, I feel I have a useful working understanding of several aspects of the sector.

Lands’ End Direct Merchants: September 2003- January 2004

I worked full time for this US-based clothing company, administering and dispatching customer orders. As a temporary member of staff, I regularly changed departments, helping where I was needed most: Be this packing clothes, picking clothes or repacking returned clothes for distribution.

The Exeter Arms: September 2001- September 2003

I worked at the weekends at my village pub, as a member of the Kitchen Staff, where I was responsible for preparing starters and desserts, as well as helping the chef, in the pressured atmosphere of a popular restaurant. During the summer of 2003, I also helped behind the bar on numerous occasions.

Moss Beck Building Services; July 2000- September 2001

I worked during the summer and at weekends whilst at school. My job involved heavy physical activity, moving building stones, making cement, cutting grass and carrying equipment. During my time at Moss Beck, I was made fully aware of any relevant health and safety issues.

Burghley House Forestry Department: January 2000 (one month work placement)

This involved substantial physical activity and appreciation for Health & Safety regulations. Typical tasks may have involved chopping dead or unsafe branches off trees, constructing fencing, gardening and ensuing the parks wildlife were healthy and safe. It also fuelled my ambition to seek outdoor-based employment in the future.

INTERESTS

Travel:

· Since a young age, I have been fascinated by the world around me, and eager to learn more about how and why things behave the way they do.

· I have been lucky enough to travel extensively during my life. When I was 10, I went on a Russian exchange to an extremely poor community outside Moscow. Even at such a young age, I was still able to absorb the significance of my experience gaining an early sense of maturity.

· In summer 2002, I went on a four-week expedition to Costa Rica. This involved considerable physical endurance, assuming the role of leader in the rainforest trek phase, and with others, building playground furniture, at a local school.

· During my gap year, I traveled to Ecuador and worked in an Animal Sanctuary, helping to rehabilitate animals retrieved from poachers, and in the process, learning Spanish to an intermediate level. After my placement in Ecuador, I traveled independently around Peru, Bolivia and Chile for three months. This involved considerable organisation and self-reliance, thus enhancing my self-confidence.

Once I returned, I was immediately eager to travel more. That summer, I traveled with some schoolmates around Eastern Europe for a month. Since then University has been more of a priority, consequently I haven’t traveled as much as I had hoped.

Activities:

I enjoy mountain walking around our National Parks and generally spending time outdoors.

· I have always enjoyed participating in sports, sometimes at a representative level, or by playing a 5-a-side football tournament every Monday at university. I also like to spend time playing guitar, going to music gigs in Brighton, and when I have time, visiting the Duke of York’s cinema.