The Guide to Life After University

This week I had the pleasure of interviewing the Founder of Sighh Studio, Polly Vadasz. As a business owner, designer and all-round creative, Polly shares how she’s scaled the business that she started from her bedroom as a teenager into the beloved brand it is today.Here, Polly discusses the importance of investing in personal growth to be able to confidently move forward and evolve in a personal and professional capacity, as well as how to find the joy within a creative job when your passion becomes your business. She also offers practical advice for young people looking to pursue creative careers. After tripling their revenue in 2020, Sighh Studio is more popular than ever due to Polly’s passion, perseverance and ability to adapt and evolve year on year. Find out more about Polly Vadasz and Sighh Studio. Hosted by Jess Bacon See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this episode, Vix Meldrew, Founder of Grow & Glow shares her advice on how to start a personal brand online and the benefits of sharing your passions online. From teacher to blogger to business owner, Vix has done what some people only dream of: changed her career, ditched the 9-5 and managed to turn her passion into her full-time job.  Here, Vix shares how to work through those limiting beliefs and finally get started on building that business or brand you've been thinking about. Find out more about Vix's membership, Grow & Glow, here. Find Vix on Instagram here. Hosted by Jess Bacon  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This week I am joined by Beth Kirkbride, the Founder of The Indiependent. Beth has a wealth of experience as a Journalist with bylines in Cosmopolitan and the Metro, and Editor as she is the Music Editor for The Indiependent alongside her full-time job. Here, Beth shares her advice for aspiring journalists from how to manage your side hustle alongside a full-time job to how to deal with the inevitable rejections. If you want to become a journalist, but are unsure how to break into the industry, Beth's advice is invaluable. Follow Beth on Twitter and Instagram Follow The Indiependent on Twitter and Instagram Hosted by Jess Bacon.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Ellie Austin-Williams is the founder of This Girl Talks Money the platform to help millennial women figure out how to use money as a tool to facilitate the lifestyle they want without missing out on the things they love doing most. Here, Ellie shares how important it is to know why you’re saving, how to change your spending habits and start asking yourself the tough questions such as do I even want to buy a house?If you’re struggling to find the balance between overspending and saving, Ellie is here to help you clarify your budget, start a saving goal and ultimately realise what it is you're saving for. Find out more about what Ellie can offer you at This Girl Talks Money. Ellie’s podcast: Money UnfilteredHosted by Jess Bacon See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Megan Hulme is a trainee solicitor at Trowers & Hamlins, one of the top 40 law firms in the UK. Since her graduation, Megan has accumulated a wealth of knowledge in the legal sector, which she shares online with aspiring lawyers at It’s all Hear Say.  Megan is breaking down some of the barriers within the legal industry to open the discourse and encourage young law graduates to collaborate and support each other in a highly competitive industry. Here Megan shares her personal experience as a law graduate trying to get an entry level job, as well as practical tips for interviews, building your CV and creating those vital professional connections. Connect with Megan on LinkedIn. Hosted by Jess Bacon.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this episode, I speak to the Maddy, a second-year English student and the Awareness Officer of the student led mental health charity, b&together. b&together is a non-profit founded by students at St Andrews University in 2020. The charity now has over seven branches in different universities across the UK to support students through the pandemic and mental health crisis. Here, Maddy offers an insight into student’s mental health during lockdown from the charity’s own research as well as her own personal experience and how the charity can benefit young people across the country. If you would like to get involved with b&together find out more here. Check out B&together on InstagramFind Jess Bacon, the host, on InstagramIf you are struggling with an Eating disorder, please do check out the UK's Eating Disorder charity beat and their support services here.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

I often feel like I don't know what I'm doing. I start Googling what qualifications I could get to show I'm capable of doing the job I already have. Does this sound familiar? In this episode, I take a deep dive into how imposter syndrome effects graduates, where I think it stems from and how to work through self-doubt and procrastination in both your personal and professional life. I share strategies to help you stop waiting until you feel ready or educated enough to apply for your dream job or take on a new project, to be able to know you are capable (and get on with doing what it is you're putting off) whilst you learn what you don't know along the way. I mention tips from Shahroo Izadi’s book The Kindness Method, Chloe Slade's coaching at Vibe + Flow and Sophie Cliff’s joy coaching. Hosted by Jess Bacon See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Rosie Tressler OBE is the CEO of Student Minds, the UK's student mental health charity. Student Minds develops innovative approaches to support healthy university communities, collaborates on research, and empowers students, university professionals and connected communities to create change.Rosie has been working on the issue of student wellbeing for several years. She became the charity's Chief Executive Officer in 2015, following a number of different roles at Student Minds managing volunteering, campaigns and university relationships. Rosie is currently overseeing the Student Space programme, designed to provide additional support for students during the coronavirus pandemic.Here, Rosie discusses initiatives that Student Minds run to help students struggling with their mental health, what support you might be able to access, as well as how you can get involved and support the conversation around young people’s mental health. Rosie’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosietresslerStudent Minds: https://www.studentminds.org.ukStudent Space: https://studentspace.org.ukStudent Mind’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/StudentMindsOrgStudent Mind’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/studentmindsorg/Student Mind’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/student-minds/ See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Fiona Thomas is an author and freelance writer with work published in iPaper, Grazia, Happiful Magazine and Huffington Post. Her most recent book Out of Office: Ditch the 9-5 and Be Your Own Boss is a guide to freelancing.Here, Fiona shares her tips for finding your passion after university, growing a side hustle into a freelance business and why the making the leap into freelancing is much less graceful than it sounds! Fiona’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fionalikestoblog/Fiona’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/fionalikesFiona’s Website:  https://fionalikestoblog.com/Fiona’s book: https://amzn.to/3cR14QaFiona’s podcast, Out of Office: https://fionalikestoblog.com/out-of-office-podcast/Host: https://www.instagram.com/jesskbacon/ See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this episode Talent Manager at Gleam Futures, Verity Park offers an insight into working at a high-profile talent agency, tips for getting a job in this competitive industry and what she looks for in new talent. As one of the founding members of the sustainable activewear brand TALA, Verity discusses the brand's impressive journey, as well as how the brand is shaping the sustainable fashion industry. We also chat about the importance of going after your dream job (whenever the opportunity presents itself) and Verity’s new home fragrance brand, Daily Flame. Daily flame: https://www.instagram.com/dailyflame__/Verity’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/veritypark/Verity’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/verity-park-a4750ab2/Host: https://www.instagram.com/jesskbacon/ See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Megan Carole (The Megan Edit) is a musical theatre graduate and content creator, spreading messages of positivity, confidence and self-love online. During lockdown Megan has grown her substantial Instagram following as well as graduated with a first from the London College of Music. Here, Megan shares her experience of graduating into the arts in the pandemic, her thoughts on the future of the arts, as well as her career aspirations. Megan also touches on how to deal with negative comments both on and offline and the importance of staying true to yourself. Megan's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themeganedit/Megan's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/MeganRoseMusic03Host: https://www.instagram.com/jesskbacon/ See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Hope Virgo, is an author, speaker and mental health campaigner on eating disorders, recovery and body image. Hope works with young people at school and university to ensure they’re given the language, support and tools to understand eating disorders and break disordered eating habits. Here, Hope offers her advice on how to remove associated feelings and values from food, diet culture, and how to seek support if you are struggling with an eating disorder. Read more about Hope: http://www.hopevirgo.comSign the petition to #DumpTheScales: https://www.change.org/p/eating-disorders-are-not-just-about-weight-dumpthescalesHope’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopevirgo_/Host: https://www.instagram.com/jesskbacon/ See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

We’re all guilty of spending too much time procrastinating on our phones, but how do we stop doing that and start making things happen?Zabby Allen, Founder of The Procrastination Paper shares how she worked through procrastination and created a paper to help others reframe procrastination into a positive. There’s also tips for beating mindless procrastination and advice for creatives looking to start their own business.  Help fund the Procrastination Paper annual on Kickstarter: kickstarter.com/projects/zabbyallen/the-procrastination-paper-annualFind out more: zabbyallen.com | procrastinationpaper.comInstagram: instagram.com/zabbyallen | instagram.com/theprocrastinationpaperThe Happy Newspaper: instagram.com/thehappynewspaperIn Colourful Company: instagram.com/incolourfulcompanyHost: www.instagram.com/jesskbacon/ See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

It’s common to feel lonely after University, as you move away from your friends and begin your adult life in a new place and a new job without your usual support network around you.  But you aren’t alone. You don't need to feel ashamed, embarrassed or guilty for feeling lonely even if you have great family, friends, or a good partner. Here, I share my tips for dealing with loneliness, living away from your friends and why your best years aren’t behind you.  I also share a passage of Marina Keegan’s (extraordinary) ‘The Opposite of Loneliness’ that she wrote at University for Yale Daily News, as she's articulated the feeling of community that we crave better than I ever could. Host: https://www.instagram.com/jesskbacon/ See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Founder of Find Your Intern, Jasmine MacPhee, shares her career journey and how she launched her own award winning brand to help men and women find creative jobs. Jasmine chats about the importance of creating a personal brand, why rejection isn’t always no and practical tips for applying to jobs. At Find Your Intern, she combines a holistic and practical approach to ensure that individuals feel confident and capable when applying for jobs. Find out more: https://www.findyourintern.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/findyourintern/Host: https://www.instagram.com/jesskbacon/ See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Ola from All Things Money has built her business around sharing her financial expertise online. Here, Ola shares how you can budget and save money on a graduate salary, why you should start investing and whether the dream of owning a house is within your reach in your twenties.  Ola’s advice will help reduce your financial anxiety and implement a method of managing your money in a simple and practical way. Find out more about All Things Money: https://www.instagram.com/allthingsmoney_/ Host: https://www.instagram.com/jesskbacon/ See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Chloe Slade, Founder of Vibe + Flow explains how she started manifesting, what it’s brought her and how you can take inspired action towards your goals and future self today.Chloe outlines practices you can incorporate into your everyday life to increase your vibes and build a life you love such as gratitude, scripting and visualisation. Find out more about Vibe + Flow: https://www.vibeandflow.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vibe_and_flow/Chloe’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itschloeslade/Host: https://www.instagram.com/jesskbacon/ See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Behavioural Change Specialist, Speaker and Author, Shahroo Izadi is renowned for her revolutionary self-help books that focus on replacing negative self-talk with kindness and self-compassion.  Here, Shahroo outlines the secret to making lasting changes, breaking a habit and creating positive habits to help you achieve big life goals.  Find out more about Shahroo’s work at: https://www.shahrooizadi.co.ukInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/shahroo_izadi/Twitter: https://twitter.com/ShahrooIzadiHost: https://www.instagram.com/jesskbacon/ See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Management Consultant, Kajol answers every graduates burning question, how do I get a job? We chat about what employers are really looking for, how to make sure your CV stands out and how to ace your interview.Kajol also shares her experience of working as a consultant and how to make a good impression as a new young employee. Kajol's advice is perfect for anyone navigating career uncertainty.  Find out more about Kajol's work: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/management.consultant/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ManagementConsultantHost: https://www.instagram.com/jesskbacon/ See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Writer, Activist and Speaker Natasha Devon MBE tours schools, colleges and universities across the world and campaigns on and offline about mental health, body image, gender and social equality. Here, Natasha reflects on her 20's, shares her top tips for graduates dealing with anxiety about their future, how to overcome perfectionism and the importance of learning about mental health in school. Twitter: https://twitter.com/_NatashaDevonFind out more about Natasha's work: https://www.natashadevon.comInstagram https://www.instagram.com/_natashadevon/Host: https://www.instagram.com/jesskbacon/ See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.