Advice from a Baroness · Elite Careers Strategy Gateway

Advice from a Baroness

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.

As Executive Vice President at Alpha Kappa Psi, and a town crier for the “Third Door” theory, I have been championing alternative career paths reminding students and young people there is always more than one way of doing things. Baroness Bennett instructed me to always be open to opportunities that come my way, and to neither be quick to dismiss them, nor closed off to new ideas. Taking on this advice, I’m now a part of communities and have made friends I never thought I would. It has helped me both professionally and personally.

3) You must be learning all the time!

As a life peer, Baroness Bennett is part of an upper house which is often – accurately or not – celebrated for its wisdom and experience as a house of legislature. Still, shockingly, there are areas out of her personal experience that she must learn about in order to be an effective legislator, and she extended her advice of “just keep learning” to me.

One of the privileges of both my job and my life as a hybrid student (more on this next week) is that I get to meet truly remarkable people doing truly remarkable things. The best part of this is that I learn at least one thing from everyone and take that perspective or nugget of wisdom with me into other areas of my life. Whether they’re a fellow student who grew up 3,000 miles away from me, or a privy counsellor, approaching conversations with an attitude of “what can this teach me” is definitely a virtue. In fact, it’s likely what has led me to contribute to this community at City Careers Coach, and many others like it.

Going forward, one thing is clear. Never underestimate the small things. Baroness Bennett probably doesn’t remember our conversations, but I have been remembering it for almost two years, and it has had a huge impact on the way

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