In Conversation with Jay Rees
Dr Jay Rees is a student recruitment manager & marketing specialist at The University of Law. However, her journey started as a PhD student, studying History. Jay at heart is a historian, but during her studies, different experiences led her down the professional services route.
Dr Jay Rees’s expertise lies in independently managing and collaborating with cross-functional teams.
Take some time out to find out how she went from Academia to a completely different career route in this exclusive jobs.ac.uk interview.
Watch the full interview with Jay Rees
Where did your journey in education start?
As for most people, Jay’s journey in education began as a student, where she completed an undergraduate degree, then a master’s, which led her to complete her PhD in History.
As a student, Jay quickly fell in love with the process of research, spending hours in the archives, taking notes and developing her own ideas and arguments.
But it was during this journey that she discovered that she also loved everything that surrounded higher education, such as delivering public talks, networking, presenting research and sharing ideas, which was just as enjoyable as hiding away in the library.
In the process of progressing from her PhD to teaching, she quickly realised she particularly enjoyed working with students.
It didn’t matter what the itinerary was, whether it was delivering lectures, supporting students with assessments or essays, or helping them plan their next steps for the future, it was those moments and conversations she found the most rewarding.
Jay found education had always felt like a community; everyone was working towards the same goal. This environment really suited her and helped with her final decision of staying in higher education for her career.
How has your career in Higher Education developed?
Dr Jay Rees’s career in Higher Education evolved rapidly alongside her own educational journey.
She began a career in academia before making the move into professional services.
Jay has had the opportunity to work in public and private higher education institutions, moving from regional recruitment to national recruitment, and progressing from tutor to lecturer to student recruitment officer and then student recruitment manager.
All careers have led Jay to where she is now, working as a Student Events Manager at the University of Law.
Spending over a decade in higher education, Jay has worked across undergraduate and postgraduate recruitment.
To date, she now leads a UK-wide team responsible for raising awareness for University of Laws provisions for business, computer science, psychology and criminology.
Every role has been a great opportunity for Jay to develop and grow; she has been fortunate to gain experience across the entire student lifecycle.
How was the transition from academia to professional services?
Jay found the transition incredibly easy, as although the setting changed, the purpose didn’t.
However, she is aware that some people find the transition from academia to industry can feel like taking a step backwards.
Jay was always optimistic and could only see the transition as a pivot.
All of the skills she developed through her studies and career in academia were transferable, they allowed her to progress quickly throughout her career, as they were all valued across the sector.
One thing to note, even though Jay’s role is in professional services, she never felt like she left academia.
She still contributes to the sector.
It helps to remember that academia and professional services aren’t separate worlds. They are just different parts of the same ecosystem. We are all contributing to the student experience just in different ways.
What are the defining moments in your career?
One of the most memorable moments for Jay is the individual conversations she has had with students on the ground, whether UG or PG at schools. In any situation, if Jay is by someone’s side, helping and supporting them to move on to their next chapter, that’s what really counts and inspires her to stay within the professional services sector.
Jay says it’s rewarding to know you have made a difference during an important moment in someone’s life.
Professionally, she has enjoyed creating new recruitment initiatives within the institution.
One of her biggest achievements has been leading a brand-new UK-wide team at the University of Law, building a team from the ground up, managing remotely, and supporting colleagues across the country.
What kind of opportunities has your career in education opened up for you?
Working in higher education has opened more opportunities for Jay than she ever anticipated or expected.
It has encouraged Jay to step out of her comfort zone, presenting at conferences and publishing ideas.
It has given Jay an incredible professional network, collaborating experience, and lifelong friends as well, who all share the experience of working within higher education.
Jay has made connections with many individuals who helped her grow within the sector.
The biggest opportunity for Jay has been the confidence that working in higher education has given her. Completing a PhD on occasion made her feel there was only one route available. But moving into a professional service role has shown her there are many different ways to make an impact. As much as she loves History, she didn’t want her whole career to pivot around it.
In the future, Jay would like to continue building a professional network and remain contributing to the sector.
What key lessons have you taken away from working across different areas of education?
The main lesson Jay has taken from working across different areas in education is that every role in higher education matters.
From the start of her career, she naturally viewed academics as the centre of student experience. However, moving from professional services, it has shown her every interaction contributes to that student’s next step.
Jay has learned along the way that relationships matter, whether it’s internal or external stakeholders.
Focusing on listening, collaborating, and building trust are all important skills you can develop within the education sector.
A top tip from Jay is to stay curious, continue to learn, and be open to change.
What advice would you give to people looking to progress in their careers?
Jay’s biggest advice is to stay curious, never stop learning, and ensure you have the skills and certificates to help you move forward in your career.
Another piece of advice is that if you are looking for management positions or progression, don’t wait for opportunities to come to you. Volunteer for projects, put yourself forward, and ask questions.
Make sure you attend webinars, read the latest articles, and engage on social platforms, particularly LinkedIn.
Remember you don’t have to be an academic to shape the sector that you work in. Don’t be afraid to take on new opportunities that feel out of your comfort zone.
On reflection, every role Jay has taken has always taught her something new, challenged her, offered new rewards, and ultimately opened another door.
Jay is unsure where her career is going to take her in the future, but one thing she is certain of is that she wants to continue to grow, continue to learn and make a positive impact on students.
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