Kirsty Harrod

Current Employer/Organisation Name

Save the Children International

What have you been doing since leaving Exeter, and what are you doing now?

After graduating, I worked for a small charity in a generalist role, then moved into political campaigning. After that, I started work at Save the Children in a campaigns role.

Why did you choose this career? And what do you enjoy most about your work?

As clichéd as it sounds, I enjoy working in campaigns because you make a genuine difference. Whether it’s changing the minds of political decision-makers or lobbying a company to change their policies, you get to see the real impact of your work.

Please tell us if you were a member of any societies, groups or sports clubs?

I was Vice President of the Classics society!

What did you enjoy most about your programme and what was the biggest highlight?

I absolutely loved Classics. I did my undergrad and MA at Exeter, and am looking to do a PhD at some point. I loved that Classics was such a small course that we knew all our lecturers and could contact them with any questions, no problem.

What did you enjoy most about studying here?

I love the city and its many pubs! I also love the countryside – you can walk about half an hour out of the city and get into the Devon hills, or hop on a train and go to the seaside.

Why did you choose to study at Exeter?

On the Open Day, it just seemed like the other people visiting were like me. I also visited Oxford, Cambridge, and Warwick, and they just seemed like they were either all about the studying or all about the partying. The people I met at Exeter were both in moderation!

What skills and experiences have been most useful for your career?

Again, it’s so cliched, but confidence is key. I was never someone who would have run for SABB and put myself out there, but doing different things, working with other people, and moving to a new city really taught me that you have to try to be confident (or fake it til you make it). If you don’t feel confident, force yourself into new situations with new people and you’ll eventually get used to it.

What advice would you give to a current student who wishes to pursue your career?

I wish I’d worked in an office before having to do it for my full-time job. Working in the Grove didn’t prepare me for office life! Try to get an internship or work experience in summers at uni so you get used to it.

What are your plans for the future?

I’m applying for a PhD as I miss Classics! But I’m still not leaving politics/campaigns behind and still want to do that in future.