Louise Elliott
Psychology graduate Louise applied the skills and knowledge gained from her degree to a career in recruitment.
Tell us about your role
After graduating from Newcastle University in 2016 with a degree in Psychology, I wasn’t entirely sure what I wanted to do next. I came across Oliver Parks and was really drawn to the culture and the clear opportunities for long-term career progression. I started in a headhunting role within the technology sector, focusing on placing candidates into specialist tech positions, and over the first few years I worked my way up to manager level.
Although I had no prior experience in this sector, the training offered was great and I quickly realised it was an organisation I could have real success in. After starting my family, I decided to move into a part-time position that would better suit my work–life balance. I transitioned into my current role as an Executive Assistant, working internally across marketing, internal hiring, events, and wider operational support. It wasn’t the exact path I originally imagined when I left university, but it has turned out to be a really good fit for my skills and interests. My psychology background has been surprisingly useful, particularly in understanding people, communication, and building strong relationships both internally and externally.
Was this career path planned when you chose your degree subject?
If I’m honest, no! I didn’t know much about recruitment & executive search back then, but after finding out more through Oliver Parks I realised it could be a great fit for my skills and since starting back in 2016, I’ve never looked back.
Have you used the skills you gained in your degree within your career?
Studying Psychology at Newcastle University has been far more relevant to my career than I first expected. A lot of what I do (both in my previous headhunting role and now as an Executive Assistant) is centred around understanding people, communication and behaviour.
My degree gave me a strong foundation in areas such as interpersonal communication, active listening and understanding motivation, all of which were invaluable when speaking to candidates and clients in my headhunting role. Being able to build rapport quickly, ask the right questions and understand what people are really looking for in their careers helped me to be effective in recruitment.
Do you have any advice on applying for graduate jobs?
My experience of searching and applying for graduate roles was a bit uncertain at first, because I didn’t have a clear idea of exactly what I wanted to do after finishing my Psychology degree. I tried to keep an open mind rather than focusing on one ‘perfect job’ or industry, which actually helped me consider opportunities I might otherwise have overlooked.
I made use of the careers support available at Newcastle University, which was really helpful for things like CV advice and understanding what kinds of roles might suit my skills. I’d definitely recommend using the Careers Service early and often – they have a lot of resources and insight that you don’t always appreciate until you’ve left.
At the same time, I took a proactive approach by reaching out directly to companies and people on LinkedIn, asking questions and building my network. That combination of being open-minded, using the University’s resources and actively approaching employers is ultimately how I came across Oliver Parks through networking.
My advice would be: don’t panic if you don’t have it all figured out, stay open to different paths, make full use of the careers service, and be proactive in contacting companies and people – LinkedIn is great for this. Often, the right opportunity comes from a conversation rather than a job advert.
Did you enjoy your experience studying at Newcastle University?
Studying at Newcastle University was honestly one of the best times of my life. I loved my degree in Psychology and found the course both engaging and rewarding, but the overall experience was about much more than just academics. The social side of university was fantastic – I met friends for life who I’m still very close with now, and being part of such a vibrant student community was a huge highlight.
Did you take part in any work experience or extracurricular activity while you were at university?
During my time at Newcastle University, I worked part-time in catering throughout my entire degree and also did some volunteer work for a charity. Balancing a job alongside my studies taught me a lot about time management, responsibility and working under pressure, especially during busy periods. It also helped me develop strong communication and teamwork skills from dealing with a wide range of people on a daily basis.
Volunteering with a charity gave me a different kind of experience – it helped me build empathy, resilience and an understanding of how to support people in different circumstances. Both roles gave me practical, real-world skills and confidence that have been really valuable in my career, particularly in people-focused roles like recruitment and my current position as an Executive Assistant.
Looking back at your time in university and your career what top tips would you give to current students?
Looking back, my biggest piece of advice would be to stay open-minded. It’s completely normal not to have your whole career mapped out while you’re at university, and often the path you end up on isn’t one you could have predicted at the start.
I’d also say make the most of everything Newcastle University has to offer – both academically and socially. Engage with your course, but also get involved in part-time work, societies, volunteering or other activities that interest you. Those experiences really help you build confidence, transferable skills and friendships that can last well beyond university. Most importantly, have fun and enjoy it!