Patricia is Marketing and Communications Manager for Careers, Employability & Skills (CES), Student and Campus Experience Directorate, supporting students in their career journey.

Can you tell us a little bit about your role at Queen's?

I’m the Marketing and Communications Manager for Careers, Employability & Skills (CES). Our department plays a key role in shaping students’ futures by supporting them on their career journey, whether that’s through a global experience, one-to-one consultation, or internship.

My role is all about creating exciting and impactful marketing campaigns that bring all of these services together. I promote key events and initiatives through a mix of print, digital, social media, and collaborative projects. What makes my role unique is the variety of people and departments I get to work with, from other teams across Queen’s, to students creating content for our channels, to partner institutions like Ulster University when we collaborate on events like the NI Grad Fair.

On a daily basis, I’m developing fresh, creative ideas to promote our service, whether that’s through eye-catching artwork or disruptive, seasonal video campaigns. CES is a dynamic and inspiring place to be!

What does a typical day look like for you?

A typical day involves a variety of meetings with my direct marketing colleagues to discuss artwork, campaign planning, video content, and social media stats, or with the events team to coordinate upcoming fairs and showcases.

I regularly liaise with teams across CES, including Global Opportunities, Business Operations, Employer Engagement, and Student Development, to support their marketing requests. These could be anything from merchandise orders and social media promotions to email newsletters, employer pop-ups, filming events, or running social media takeovers.

I also spend time developing presentations, analysing social media trends, and planning ahead for the upcoming semester. No two days are the same, but strong communication is always key. Keeping our focus on supporting students gives us a clear sense of purpose and makes the work incredibly rewarding.

So in short: a lot of meetings, emailing, planning, and collaborating with both internal and external partners.

What do you find most rewarding about your role?

The most rewarding part of my role is working directly with students. Since joining Queen’s in 2023, I’ve been genuinely surprised and inspired by how insightful and engaged this generation is. I love hearing their fresh perspectives on topics that matter to them.

We work closely with our student assistants and get to know their journeys. It’s incredibly fulfilling to see how our service helps them build skills, gain confidence, and reflect on their personal growth and qualities that are essential in today’s competitive job market. Witnessing that transformation makes everything we do feel worthwhile.

Can you share a memorable experience or milestone moment during your time at Queen’s?

One standout moment for me was taking part in the Staff Excellence Awards, as part of the staff talent show. It was such a rewarding opportunity to showcase my hidden talent and connect with colleagues I might not usually interact with. The event itself was fantastic and you get a real sense of just how much effort and dedication exists across the University. It made me feel proud to be part of such a passionate community.

What are your interests outside of work?

Outside of work, I’m a busy mum to two amazing kids, Adam (10) and Eloise (6). But in my spare time, I also love to perform in a Fleetwood Mac tribute band called Big Love.

It all started rather unexpectedly at a BBQ in 2022 when I was randomly asked to sing, and the rest is history! Now we travel across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, performing some of the greatest hits from Fleetwood Mac including ‘Dreams’, ‘Everywhere’ and ‘Silver Springs’. I absolutely love bringing that music to life on stage it is a true passion of mine.

We’re even playing in the prestigious Mandela Hall on Friday 19th September. So, if you fancy a night of nostalgic tunes, grab your tickets now (via the link below) and I promise you won’t regret it!

• Big Love - A Tribute to Fleetwood Mac Live at Mandela Hall, Belfast

What advice or insight would you share with someone new to Queen’s?

My biggest piece of advice to anyone starting at Queen’s is to build your network. Try to meet as many colleagues as you can across different departments. The more connections you have, the more knowledge and support you’ll be able to access.

Everyone I’ve met at Queen’s has been warm, welcoming, and genuinely supportive of new starters. Once you’ve built a strong network, you’ll have a brilliant foundation to help you thrive.

So if you’re new and fancy a coffee, give me a shout and I’d be happy to share what I’ve learned so far.

Good luck, and welcome to Queen’s!