Having graduated from Keele in 2013 with a degree in History with American studies, Charlotte Smith now works at Elements Talent Consultancy, a role which sees her currently deployed as a Senior Research Partner at Spotify.

After graduating from Keele I moved back home to London working in a variety of recruitment roles in the banking, finance and technology sectors, before starting work in my current role at Elements, a talent consultancy business, where I am a Senior Research Partner with Spotify.

My role at Elements working with Spotify is great as I get to work alongside the business as a trusted consultant. I advise and aid the business in building effective teams that truly address their needs and inspire meaningful change.

I am incredibly fortunate to be in such an exciting role that allows me to work in Spotify’s London and New York offices. My role is both challenging and rewarding as it regularly involves solving problems that the organisation is faced with.

I had a fantastic time at Keele and have so many wonderful memories from my time studying at the University. Being from London originally, I loved living in the countryside campus environment and latterly moving out to Newcastle-under-Lyme and Silverdale, where I had so much fun. I loved the community feel and I still reminisce with many of my friends about Monday nights at the Scruffy Squirrel in the SU!

I found Keele to be incredibly welcoming where everyone mixes with each other and is encouraged to get involved in lots of things - I was a member of the orchestra which I absolutely loved! Throughout my time at Keele and by throwing myself into as much as possible, I feel like I grew in confidence from being quite shy, and my view of the world opened up a lot.

If I could give any advice to students starting out in their university experience it would be to be open to all opportunities in your first year and do everything. You will meet so many people that will help you along the way and remember to be present and make memories.