Sophie Johnson

Sophie is applying her strategic and analytical skills from postgraduate Media Studies to a governance role in the UK public sector.

I enrolled in a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and Media Studies because they were my favourite subjects at school. Media Studies encouraged me to consider the structures behind the media that shape the kind of media products we see and use. It taught me how to think critically about the media texts and interfaces I was using, and this has made me much better at strategic and analytical thinking. My Master’s thesis looked at how we still think about "family photos" as if we’re all crowding round a photograph album on grandma’s sofa, even when we’re sharing images over the internet using products designed by massive media companies. I have also completed additional courses in project management and te reo Māori, both of which are vital for people working in the New Zealand public sector. I have also applied what I have learned outside of work, as I’ve volunteered with several charities and been a trustee for a micro-finance charity.

I always knew I wanted to work in the public sector because, as my tutorial mates will confirm, I believe in fairness and social justice. I had a number of part-time jobs at university while I was studying, including tutoring for Media Studies courses and as an electronic note-taker for Disability Services. This note-taker role led to my first job out of university as a Hansard editor at Parliament. I was able to quickly research topics in detail and make sense of the debates in the House. My next role was a senior ministerial coordinator, liaising between a ministry and the minister’s office. I then moved on to managing governance committees for a government department, taking meeting minutes and providing strategic advice on transparent decision-making.

I’ve now taken those skills overseas and moved to England, where I work for the Royal Armouries in Leeds. In my role as governance executive I support the organisation’s leaders with strategic planning, policy development, and risk assurance. It’s a unique opportunity to work in the same building as hundreds of swords and suits of armour, as well as being intellectually challenging! I also volunteer as a school governor in West Yorkshire to support the community and ensure the next generation get every opportunity to succeed.