WeAreTheCity’s Rising Star Awards are now in their fourth year.
The Rising Star awards were introduced to showcase the UK pipeline of female talent below management and to create female 100 role models across 20 different industries and professions.
Over the year’s, the awards have recognised 400 women across the UK and India.
In this ongoing series, we speak to our winners about life after winning a Rising Star award.
We spoke with Jessica Coggins, who won a 2018 Rising Star Award in the EA & PA category.
Tell us a bit about yourself
I graduated from the University of Bath in 2015. I then started my career at the University of the West of England as Executive Support. I feel very strongly about the quality of Higher Education provision. Student experience is the priority and I ensure I do all I can to keep these standards high. In my spare time, I have an interest in generational differences. It is a topic I find fascinating but also an area I feel individuals should understand within the workforce.
How did you feel when it was announced that you’d won a Rising Star award?
I felt very fortunate and happy to have a won a Rising Star award. The recognition for my work boosted my confidence and reinforced my determination to further my career. It also made me realise how lucky I am to have such supportive colleagues.
Please tell us what has happened in your career since winning the Rising Star awards?
Since winning a Rising Star award, I have taken on challenges that I may not have considered before. I spoke at my first national conference, taken on an additional project and started a new role within my institution. I was featured on the internal news and was contacted by various colleagues for networking.
Winning the award has made me realise how important it is to nominate and recognise the work of others. I make sure I support others where I can. If I hadn’t received the support I did, I wouldn’t have achieved as much as I have.
What advice would you give to someone else going through our award’s process?
Embrace the process, realise you deserve this award, promote yourself, network and learn from the successful people around you. The events are certainly worth attending, they are very empowering.
What tips would you give to our other members to enhance their careers?
Attend all of the events available, read the newsletters and network as much as possible.