Naomi Darling

Current Employer/Organisation Name

Economic Statistics Centre of Excellence at King’s Business School, King’s College London

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

Since graduating from Exeter, I took part in a volunteering trip to Tanzania with International Citizen Service. I then completed internships with a brewery and a PR agency, gaining valuable experience in different aspects of marketing and communications. After that, I worked as a Marketing Assistant at a startup, although I realised fairly quickly that it wasn’t the right fit for me and decided to move on after a few months.

Following that experience, I joined a financial education charity, where I spent over four years working in communications. I started as a trainee and progressed to a managerial role, where I led a team of three people. I now work as the Communications Manager for the Economic Statistics Centre of Excellence at King’s College London.

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

I’ve always loved writing and being creative, so a career in communications felt like a natural fit. At the moment, I’m really enjoying working on video content as well as developing communications strategies. The variety in my role keeps things exciting and continually challenges me to learn new skills.

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

Mainly student media – XpressionFM and Exeposé.

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

I particularly enjoyed the French literature and visual culture modules, as well as the history modules focusing on colonialism and decolonisation. The biggest highlight of my degree was my year abroad in Bordeaux, which was made possible through a placement link that Exeter had.

What did you most enjoy about studying here?

The societies were a huge part of my Exeter experience. They contributed just as much to my personal development and employability as my academic work did. I also made some amazing friends during my time there, and I loved the campus.

Why did you choose to study at Exeter?

I chose Exeter because it had a strong reputation for both History and Modern Languages. I also really liked the look and feel of the campus, and I was excited by the range of societies and extracurricular activities on offer.

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

My degree really helped me develop strong writing and presentation skills, which are essential in any communications role. It also taught me how to think critically and analyse complex information. These are skills that I use every day in my job.

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

Communications can be a competitive field, so don’t be discouraged if you don’t land your dream role straight away. It’s okay to start in a job that isn’t perfect. My first comms role wasn’t the right fit which almost led to me pursuing a different career path, but I realised it was more about the company culture than the job itself. Once I moved into the charity and public sector, I felt much more at home. Be open to learning and don’t give up – each experience will help you grow.

What are your plans for the future?

I’d like to return to the charity sector in a senior communications role. I’m also considering studying for a part-time master’s in Creative Writing.