Role: Marketing and Communications Administrator

Career Area: Business Support

Location: York

My role at SYSTRA

I support SYSTRA’s Marketing and Communications team across a range of tasks including internal and external communications, financial administration, graphic design, updating the website and much more.

My career journey

I’d say my career path has been a little nonconventional. Having finished the first year of a BA in Illustration during lockdown, I learned university wasn’t for me and left early to start working full time. Whilst working in retail and admin jobs, I continued developing my illustrations on the side. This led to me starting a small business on social media.

I picked up some marketing basics through running my art business, and following a career break spent living abroad, I returned to the UK and found my role with SYSTRA.

We asked Alex…
When did you realise this was the career path for you?

I’m currently at the start of my career, but I love the variety of creative tasks I get to work on. There are also opportunities to develop a wider skill set and challenge myself in new ways. 

Have you got any words of wisdom for someone starting out in a similar role?

Say ‘yes’ to as much as you can. Every new task you take up and connection you make will help you massively in the long run. By saying ‘yes’, I’ve developed both in my work and as a person – I’m continuing to push myself out of my comfort zone.

How does SYSTRA stand out from the rest as a great place to work?

SYSTRA has a strong culture around Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (ED&I) and wellness. The continued investment in wellbeing champions, mental health first aider training and the company’s sincere efforts to make everyone feel included, ensures colleagues feel valued and supported. 

I’m also a part of SYSTRA’s Next Generation Leadership Team (NGLT), which gives me the opportunity to work on exciting initiatives alongside other early years colleagues. The NGLT demonstrates SYSTRA’s dedication to breaking down barriers between senior leaders and colleagues at the start of their career.

With such power in diversity, what unique perspective do you bring to the table?

I’d say my decision to drop out of university and develop my skills by myself has given me a unique point of view. Living abroad has also exposed me to another country’s culture, which has been a really valuable experience.

Where is the place that has inspired you the most?

Malmö, without a doubt. The city is vibrant, welcoming and has become a second home to many people across the world. It’s also at the forefront of sustainable travel with some of the best cycling infrastructure in Europe.

What does true sustainability really mean to you?

Living in harmony with nature. Everyone has a part to play and can make a difference by making small behavioural changes, alongside working in the community to encourage more systemic change.

What would a green future look like?

For me, a green future would involve a collective effort to make positive environmental impact the core of decision-making across all industries.

How do you look after your wellbeing outside of work?

I enjoy language learning and embracing the culture and traditions that come with it. In particular, the Swedish tradition of fika (taking a short pause to relax and enjoy a coffee and a sweet treat) is a great practice for mindfulness and being present.

If you could spend your lunchbreak with someone you really admire, who would you choose?

I’d love to spend a lunchbreak with the late author, novelist, painter, illustrator and comic strip author Tove Jansson. Having an opportunity to hear about her creative process first-hand would’ve been a real honour.

If you had to pick, which mode of transport would you use for the rest of your life?

Rail would be the easy choice for me. As relaxing as it is watching the world roll by outside your window, the role rail plays in sustainable transport makes the journey even more enjoyable.

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