Last week I wrote about the importance of the little notebook I carried around with me as an intern in the House of Lords. This time I’m going to talk about what was in that notebook, and the career advice that Baroness Bennett gave me. While yes, this is specific to my own trajectory, I think the points she makes find resonance no matter what horizon you’re looking out to. 1) Do not limit yourself to just a political background I first stepped into the House of Lords as a A-Level student/political junkie with nothing on my mind except politics. It was hard to walk through the lobby without gawping at the statue of Gladstone and thinking about every book I had read on him, well as now I walk past it nearly every day. Sure, I had interests, but nothing in life came close to my love of politics and parliament – rather sad now I think about it. The point is, I had nothing else on my mind, far less any idea of alternative career routes. The Baroness duly reminded me that, in order to pursue a career in public life, I must have experienced something else. When Keir Mather (former Baby of the House), and Sam Carling (current) were respectively elected, I was reminded of the risks of not having the “life experience” that a career in public life – and elected office – requires. Following this advice, I went on to work for a fintech firm based in Madison, Wisconsin, and work at publications like Prospect Magazine and Significant Insights and write for a great many more. If it weren’t for the Baroness’ advice, I would not have had the experience and the network I enjoy now, and, by extension, I certainly would not be walking through Westminster Hall on a daily basis. I had allowed my passion and excitement to narrow my vision and close doors that might otherwise be open to me. Baroness Bennett helped me open them again. With that, I move on to the second piece of advice… 2) Take every opportunity that presents itself Now, I have taken this particular piece of advice to the extreme since meeting Baroness Bennett, and often have trouble saying no to things and then, two, three months down the line, find myself overwhelmed. This is probably not what she had in mind.

My Alpha Kappa Psi colleagues and I are organising an insight day at Deutsche Bank this Friday, and it has got me thinking about the importance of extracurriculars (ECs)... When I was making my application to Harvard, I was reading up on what actually makes the place so good. I stumbled on an article in the Crimson, and, like its author, I questioned whether “the people” was really a sufficient answer. I’m confident every university shouts loud and proud about its “on-campus community”, and I’m sure everyone has seen the idyllic pictures of students sat on a lush green campus in prospectuses. Taking a deeper dive, however, I began to learn why the people is truly why Harvard stands out. As an A Level student and university applicant it seemed I was doing everything but studying. I was chair of the Environmental Council, a fledgling young writer, working weekends at my local golf club, and trying to nail down internships in Westminster. Why? Because I had been inspired. I’m fortunate enough that I take inspiration from a great many friends, peers, and mentors in my life, and it is because of them that I create opportunities and pursue my ambitions with the energy I do. Manuel (Class of ’24), writing in the Crimson, says: "The real value of Harvard is being surrounded by people who push you to your limits, who help you realize how much you don’t know, and who inspire you to see how much potential there is in the world for you. It sounds cheesy, but you realize how important Harvard’s environment is once you find yourself exploring the law libraries, starting podcasts, and writing books, all because of the motivation given to you by your peers." Being surrounded by highly motivated, intellectually curious individuals is what made Harvard the place to be for 56,000+ applicants to the Class of 2027 – myself included – and it is clearly what motivates students like Manuel.

Hi all. I have been working on article writing about M&A as it is an industry I am really interested in. Here is my first article covering the Autumn Budget's impacts on the UK M&A landscape! Any thoughts and feedback would be appreciated :) https://bankingbeyond.wordpress.com/2024/12/01/how-the-autumn-budget-2024-shapes-the-ma-landscape-in-the-uk/

I work in Parliament. For those who know, means that there are at least three times a day where I have absolutely no idea what I’m doing. Fun right? Not really, and it has the potential to be really embarrassing at times. Nevertheless, I carry with me a revolutionary piece of technology that carries me through these daily occurrences and allows me to save face and curb the embarrassment. Behold, the notebook. I’m serious. Whilst being one of the greatest cinematic masterpieces to come out of the UK (behind Paddington 2, of course), Hot Fuzz’s celebration of the humble notebook is not unfounded. It has truly saved my life more times than I’d like to admit. Whether it’s helping me remember long-winded titles, amendments, or just who’s turn it is to buy milk, the notebook has seen me through, and will continue to do so. When I first walked through Westminster Hall and into my long-coveted internship in the House of Lords, I carried a mini, Portcullis-decorated notebook in my bag. At the time, I had no idea if it would become a treasure trove of insights about constitutional quirks and the daily rhythms of a Baroness—or if it would join the silent graveyard of redundant notebooks on my desk. Spoiler alert: it became the former. By the end of my time in the House of Lords, my notebook was bursting with notes—not just on constitutional oddities, but on every productive discussion and fascinating encounter I’d had. It wasn’t just about documenting what happened. It was about reflecting on those moments, maximizing learning opportunities, and creating a roadmap of people I wanted to meet and learn from. In fact, that same notebook was so invaluable that it became my guidebook during my subsequent internship in the House of Commons. The lessons I’d captured helped deepen my understanding of parliamentary procedure and the United Kingdom’s constitutional framework, enabling me to hit the ground running. Here’s the thing about "career snowballing": it’s all about drawing on past experiences, leveraging lessons learned, and applying them to bigger, better opportunities. This approach not only boosts your productivity (shout-out to all my deliverology fans) but also sets you up for success in whatever career path you’re pursuing.

In my previous contributions to this platform, I have explored the softer skills that, in my opinion, lead to thriving, rewarding careers – from mastering personal finesse to ace corporate interviews or creatively finding alternative pathways to success using the Third Door, snowballing to the top of your game involves combining a whole host of skills and approaches. Above all this, however, there is one skill that underpins everything. Something so fundamental that without it everything else falls flat: simply, the ability to get sh*t done. That’s right, execution. Planning backwards, thinking forwards, and setting out a career strategy mean nothing without actually implementing what you brainstorm, think, and plan. I’m going to go straight to the heart of why this is. Sir Michael Barber, educator, author, and former Head of the Prime Ministers’ Delivery Unit (2001-2005) is one of my favourite writers when it comes to government and policymaking. His How to run a government is a call to action for government leaders and public servants to avoid the tendency of getting bogged down in strategy and planning, and refocus their attention on execution and outcomes. It is both a manifesto and a manual for action-oriented government, drawing on Barber’s experience advising administrations in both the UK and the US, and as far away as Malaysia. Barber’s "deliverology" model, which he developed from his PMDU experience, emphasizes data-driven performance metrics, accountability, and a relentless focus on outcomes. His approach has influenced governments and institutions around the world and serves as a guide for leaders in both the public and private sectors seeking practical frameworks to improve large-scale operations. The wisdom in How to run a government, however, delivers a message for all. Not just policymakers and public servants. No, the importance of, crudely, getting sh*t done, is inherent in every career pathway and every walk of life.