Alumni

Laura Morrissey

Career Path: E-Ccommerce Manager, Bailey Nelson
Location: Sydney, Australia

When I graduated from Northumbria in 2016, I began my career working in media for luxury fashion magazine Harper's Bazaar UK. After a few years working in London, I wanted to challenge myself further and so my journey in fashion led to embarking on a new adventure in Sydney, Australia, where I worked for luxury fashion brands in the E-commerce teams and subsequently landed an E-commerce Manager role for a global optical retailer.

What are you doing now?

I am currently an E-commerce Manager for Bailey Nelson, an Australian optical retail chain, which operates in Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the UK.

What was it about Northumbria that made you decide to study here?

I was attracted to the range of subjects that the course covered, as I was unsure which path I wanted to take. I felt that having a broad knowledge of the industry and an insight into various areas of the business would be a real strength as a graduate.

What was it like studying at Northumbria?

Studying at Northumbria was a positive experience with many challenges and informative lectures. The course structure involves a lot of independent study time, so making the most of face-to-face time with lecturers is vital. There is also a team project which give you an opportunity to understand what its like to start your own business.

How connected was your course with industry?

During my studies, we completed projects and pitched ideas for brands such as Dr Martens, which was an insight into how the industry operated and how to prepare for a business environment. The feedback received throughout these projects was great preparation for the future to align our interests and skills with the jobs we would apply for post graduation.

What was the best thing about your course?

Having access to programmes and equipment that would allow me to succeed in my degree, such as brand new Mac desktops, Adobe software, SLR cameras and a photography studio.

How did studying at Northumbria help you achieve your career goals/ give your career an edge?

I learnt where my strengths lay throughout the projects we worked on, giving me the ability to focus on securing experience and eventually a job in my chosen area. The lecturers' feedback on projects helped with progression and developing core skills such as writing, refining ideas and finding your personal style.

Which skills/knowledge did you learn on your course that you use most now throughout your career?

Presentation skills. Every conversation, meeting, sharing of ideas involves pitching and the ability to communicate professionally. Also the ability to meet deadlines is vital in addition to good organisation.

What did you enjoy most about your time at Northumbria University?

I enjoyed my studies at Northumbria for a number of reasons including learning from a hugely talented team of lecturers from a range of professional backgrounds; and working in a nice, modern building with top level equipment. I was also lucky enough to play Netball for Team Northumbria for three years.