By Mr Rodgers-Endersby, Deputy Head of Sixth Form

The Sixth Form began International Women’s Day for 2022 with an insightful and inspiring talk from an alumna. Priya Chandé joined students for one of their regular “Careers Spotlight” talks where she shared her experience of reconciling her career with matters close to her heart. Despite setting out to read a degree that might typically funnel graduates into banking and legal jobs, she changed her course of study and subsequently sought employment with a major cosmetics manufacturer in their marketing department. This was the first of her watershed moments in which she embraced change and was not afraid to dive in to new territories.

Whilst Priya was exceptionally successful in her marketing role, she found an opportunity to unify her vocation for social justice with her professional skill-set. She shared with our students her experience of the One Young World Summit that helped her to realise her need for a career change. Stepping away from a comfortable and successful career is no easy task, and Priya shared the importance of making hard decisions to ensure that her work was personally rewarding. Founding her own company that brought wellbeing initiatives to major British brands was one such way that Priya unified financial and vocational reward. Drawing on her One Young World and corporate experience, she also brought to government a business case to end domestic violence.

Throughout her talk, Priya described how she drew on various skills and experience to actualise her ambitions; the business case was one such example where separate understandings of corporate structures and social issues could be blended together. These fruitful forays into different fields, along with some time spent travelling, led Priya to her current role as Chief Marketing Officer for a start-up focusing on sustainable period products.

NHEHS does not struggle to find positive role models in former students, and Priya is no exception. Throughout the morning she shared valuable insights, dispelled the myth of a linear career track, and offered thoughtful advice in response to the Sixth Form’s questions. We thank her greatly for her generosity of time and wisdom.