Victoria Barton: Operations Manager, Project Manager, Non-Executive Director

"It's easy to feel overwhelmed when there are big decisions ahead and you're unsure which way to go, but my advice would be to follow your passion and remember one choice doesn't define you or your future."

Current Job Title & Employer:

Operations Manager - Institute of Registered Case Managers/ Project Manager - Inspire Wellbeing Services/ Non-Executive Director - The Grange Group

OB years:

2008-2013

Brief description of your path after Brentwood:

After Brentwood School, I pursued a degree in Philosophy and a diploma in Law, later completing a Masters in Philosophy and Artificial Intelligence.  I have a love for entrepreneurial ventures and the strategy and challenges involved with starting new businesses. My working roles since Brentwood have been to provide strategic support and direction, operational efficiencies and sustainable business growth.  The sectors in which I work range from health and mental health, to luxury sporting goods, so I am very lucky to have an incredibly varied working week!

How has your career path led you to where you are now?

My career path has been somewhat unusual in that I have worked with three different organisations since university, and I still work with all three of them in different capacities now.  Each of these roles have challenged me in different ways and have taught me different skills.  I have learned skills in effective management, good governance practice, the differences between goal setting and effective strategic aims and so much more!  My past (and indeed current) roles mean that I can continue learning and creating business growth, but more important than that I am able to contribute to positive social change through my work.

Did you develop any particular skills or attributes at Brentwood that have helped your career?

I remember sitting a language test during the earlier part of my Brentwood School days; the test was in a fictional language, and the object was to see the patterns and translate this language into English.  I remember not really seeing the value in this at the time, but now with reflection I feel that experiences like this have shaped my mindset and how I respond to challenges now.  Whatever challenge or difficulty I face in my career I look at it as a logic problem, I try to react rationally, approach it from different angles, look for different patterns and different solutions.  Those same skills that I applied to that language test all those years ago, I use almost everyday and Brentwood School really nurtured those skills and abilities.

Favourite Brentwood memory?

I studied Spanish at both GCSE and A Level; a favourite memory for me has to be the experiences of exchanges and homestays.  I used to absolutely love being immersed in a different culture, language and country.  For a young person to go abroad and stay in another family's home is both exciting and daunting, these experiences pushed me out of my comfort zone and taught me so much.  I had wonderful Spanish teachers during my time at Brentwood School, not only did they teach me Spanish language they also provided a really holistic learning experience.

Any words of advice for those graduating this year?

If there is something that I wish I had learned sooner it's that it's okay not to have your path mapped out.  I wasn't sure what I would choose for GCSE options, or A Level for that matter.  When it was time to decide on a university, I wasn't sure what I wanted to study, or whether I should travel.  When I finished university I had absolutely no idea what job I wanted or even what I might be good at, and yet I managed to find my way.  It's easy to feel overwhelmed when there are big decisions ahead and you're unsure which way to go, but my advice would be to follow your passion and remember one choice doesn't define you or your future.