My Time In london: Career Talk

Can you believe it's October already?! This means I have officially nearly been in London for A YEAR! Where did the time go?  A lot of people has questioned about my life in London so I thought I would use this post to tell you a bit more.

Before London

After graduating university, I worked in my family's restaurant until I found my first job as a graphic designer.  I worked in a company that specialises in blood testing... an odd choice, I know. But at that point, I was very desperate so I took it hoping I would gain more experience.

Working in the restaurant with my mother and brother

This is me on my first day at work. I was very happy to wear professional attire! I am wearing my very first pair of heels that I bought for myself for this job. I still currently wear them :)

My work was situated in the country side (which was a mission to drive to!) and they also owned a Llama. I got to see this guy when I drive to and from work haha!

Wearing a lab coat... because I could!

However, after working for 9 months I decided to quit as I felt that I was not being used to my fullest potential and was having some problems with management.  Northern Ireland is pretty small and the opportunities are very limited.  I was unemployed for a month or two.... during this time I went to Hong Kong to look after my sister's dogs Chubbi and Domo for 5 weeks whilst they went on their honeymoon.  Although, they encouraged me to stay and look for a job in HK, I decided to return home to my family and boyfriend.  I returned to Northern Ireland for a week and was fed up of the lack of jobs available in Belfast. With my families' encouragement, I decided to move over to London to further my career.  

As I am such a baby, moving was a big step.  My mother and Lindy bought me some essentials ^_^ Aren't they sweet!

Mum got me a super light waterproof coat

Lindy got me a pair of hunter welly boots for the typical UK weather

My time in London

I chose London because my sister Claire resides there.  She and her husband put a roof over my head and looked after me whilst I was job hunting.  As both of them are also in the creative industry, they gave me A LOT of advice.  My 9 months at my previous work place gave me insufficient experience therefore I looked for internships.

The good thing about being a designer is that it allows me to work in many different sectors! My sister told me to look for something that I had an interest in. My choices? Yep you got it, beauty and fashion.  I ended up with two interviews - Lipsy and L'Occitane.

After several interviews, I decided L'Occitane was better for me (Lipsy isn't really my style and fashion is a VERY competitive industry!).  I decided not to continue my recruiting process with Lipsy and accepted my position as a Junior Graphic Design Intern at L'Occtiane. 

I remember my first day commuting to work. So much people x.x

For those who has been to Oxford Street, you will understand... I had to deal the commuters and tourists every day!

Check me out in a L'Occitane apron! I don't usually wear aprons to work by the way... I had to do a store training thing....and suddenly somehow found time for a selfie, obv!

One of my first project was making gift tags for Chinese New Year. 

Then it was Valentines day gift tags.  

These may seem very easy but I was very proud. Why? Because I get to see my designs distributed all across the UK! My friends and family back in Ireland could pop in to a L'Occitane store and see my artwork. I was very chuffed.

After gifts tags, I  began working on more complexed projects! I created advertisements for magazines (such as Vogue, Elle, John Lewis and a lot more) and all the signages for retail and wholesale! 

One of my campaigns! I created all the table signages and window dispays :)

Magazine adverts

I also ended up doing packaging design...

Check out some product boxes that I worked on

L'Occitane is a great company to work for. Everyone in the office was friendly, my manager and team were awesome and it was great that we all had something in common - we liked beauty! 

We occasionally had team lunches!

I made friends with wonderful people!

Extra Large French macarons anyone?

They celebrated my birthday!

My italian manager made us italian lunch, which we ate in the park :)

The best thing is that I learnt SO much working there. I thought I could use the Adobe Creative suite... but apparently not. There were so much more to learn and every day I encounter new challenges and experiences. Did I mention free french classes? YES! Every friday morning, I took french classes. Did I mention free goodies? YES! Every month we were allocated products to try.  Most of them were new products for the current campaign :)

My contract was 6 months, but they decided to extend it for another 3 months (because I'm just THAT awesome :D)  Although, I could have stayed longer but I unfortunately decided it was time to go.  Leaving was difficult because I bonded so well with everyone...

My leaving do

My experience in L'Occitane really helped me get a job. I was unemployed for a week before I started my next job. I still currently work in London but no longer in the beauty sector.  I have decided to try a different field :) but I won't say what and where it is as I prefer to keep that in the down low.  I am really enjoying my current job, and again, I am learning a lot from my current manager and co-workers.  As Augustus says in The fault in our stars... "I'm on a roller coaster that only goes up".  This is how I am feeling right now.  I am proud that I have come so far and I have a long journey to go! I am just thankful  I have so many lovely people supporting me.

London opened up a lot of opportunities for me.  It was a HUGE move and although it meant that I had to leave my family, friends, boyfriend, dog, car behind... I do not regret moving over as I have kick-started my career! I am finally working to my fullest potential and earning a lot more than I did in Northern Ireland.

I may make it sound so easy but don't get me wrong.  London was difficult in the beginning as I felt like I had nobody.  What really help was that I live with my sister and her family.  I get to see my baby nephew grow up.

Because I did not need to pay rent, I could afford to take several trip back to N. Ireland to see my friends and family. Oh and I also had lots of visitors since moving to London :) 

Visiting me...

and my boyfriend...

I'm not sure how my future will turn out and where I would end up but I do know is that I'm going the right way :) and I'm happy to say, I've conquered London... It truly is a BIG city...

And I'm that little girl in a big city ^_^

Have you any career goals?
Ever want to move away? Let me know!
Any questions? Leave me some below!

Now it's time for bed!

Good night :)

Ps: would anyone be interesting in 'Things to do in London' posts?