💻Career Compass #7
Diving into the paths of other modern millennial women.
This post might be a little long for your email inbox, so why not check it out on your desktop here, or on the Substack app?
Welcome back to Career Compass on The Navigation: a monthly series exploring other women’s musings, meanderings and methods for navigating life, with a focus on their career paths. Through short interviews with twenty- or thirty-something women, we’ll explore linear and non-linear career paths, how they approach work to make it work for them, and the blurred lines between hobbies and hustles.
💻🧭
This month’s guest has been referenced in a few Career Compass interviews already, namely by Gaby Kirk and Senay Bozdag. Sarah Lewington is the fourth member of a work girls group chat that was born out of those early days sitting across the desk from each other, nattering away about weekend plans as much as weekly email performance. Sarah and I virtually ploughed through the challenging impact that Covid lockdowns had on our work in public policy events, before she left the organisation we both then worked at in 2021 to pursue pastures new.
As a marketer that once pondered a career in journalism, Sarah has worked in a multitude of roles, in different countries, gaining a plethora of skills and insights. From beauty products to data entry, door knocking to email writing, she’s now found somewhat of a dream role combining her skills and experience in marketing, with an appreciation of events, and a passion for travel. Marketing Manager at TTG Media (TTG stands for Travel Trade Gazette – the company started as a weekly trade newspaper, 70 years ago), with sole responsibility for event marketing, Sarah enjoys the opportunity to learn about the travel industry through her work, and reflects here on the life changing experiences travel can provide.
Now settled in North London with a partner she once followed to Australia (read on for more!) and two beloved cats, Sarah’s next venture is dreaming up a home by the sea – and getting some work perks for future trips!
When bogged down with the daily grind, it can be easy to forget that there might be a job out there that better suits our interests and skills, and it doesn’t have to require a leap out of traditional corporate structures to find it. That works for some, but not all. Sarah’s journey, I think, demonstrates the value of being intentional in the work we choose to do, and not being afraid to gather a range of experiences on the way as part of figuring that out.
See what you think. Enjoy!
Thank you Sarah for being a guest on The Navigation!
Could we start off with you sharing some musings on working in marketing, and how being in the travel industry differs to where we met, working in public sector events?
And perhaps you could share a bit more insight into the meanderings that led you down this path?
Hi Lauren, a pleasure to be here! Thanks so much for having me and for letting me round off the NLS contributions!
I've worked in marketing for coming up to ten years now, falling into it after graduating with an English Language degree from Cardiff University (big up Wales!). Like many, I didn't know what I wanted to do. I knew I enjoyed writing and toyed with the idea of going into journalism, but after one semester of studying that, I decided it wasn't the career path for me.
Then, following a few different marketing internships, ranging from a combined beauty/tech start-up, to a glorified data entry role, I ended up in public sector events marketing – where we met!
I love marketing events, seeing them through from concept, to campaign, to fruition. Bringing a load of people together for the same purpose and being able to say I played a big part in them all being there. In both of my event marketing roles I've been the sole marketer for the event too, so I am used to a certain element of pressure, but I enjoy that.
Working for TTG Media, I'm able to combine two of my passions – events and travel. The topic itself is far more interesting to me than public policy was - not unlike Gaby’s experience - and I'm constantly learning about and being inspired by new destinations (read: adding new places to my bucket list!), or educating myself on more sustainable travel options.
Whereas the public policy events we worked together on were for a wide range of stakeholders working in a given area, most of the events we run/I market now are for travel agents or industry suppliers - airlines, cruise lines, tour operators, hotels etc. Our events range from online training, to bespoke client dinners, conferences and seminars, to award ceremonies for over 600 people. I remember the week I joined we were hosting "TTG Aussie Fest” - an online event that included wine tasting. It felt like the job was meant to be!
Compared to the events we worked on, the main difference is in the marketing of our flagship awards, of which there are three a year. The campaign cycle is normally about nine months, from conception (rebrand, what’s new each year etc.) to launch, entry period, ticket sales, the night itself and post-event activities. The scale is much larger than the policy conferences I marketed in my previous role; the maximum was probably for around 300 attendees.
I found this super intimidating at first, particularly when given my targets! But with more experience, I feel less nervous about those now. Being given a monetary target was a new experience for me (aside from my brief stint in sales!) so I felt the pressure. But I quickly learned it's also not the be all and end all - I don't lose my job if I don't hit 100% of my targets. We're a results-driven company and I'm quite a results-driven individual but, with events in particular, there are so many moving parts and just because, say, I didn't reach 100% of my ticket target, it doesn't mean the event/campaign wasn't a success.
I think that’s a really good point to remember, because it’s so easy for us all to get caught up in the numbers!
What about creativity in your role? Do you still get to explore your enjoyment of writing?
Yes! I can be a lot more creative at TTG. A lot of what I do day-to day is email marketing, but I get to push the boundaries a bit more when working for cool brands like Virgin Voyages, where my writing can be more tongue-in-cheek, or with Tourism Australia, writing in a more casual tone. In fact I’d say Virgin Voyages is probably my favourite brand to work with. Although I don't imagine myself going on a cruise any time soon, if I had to, I'd 100% go on one of theirs - they're adult-only and have a huge focus on dining and wellness! They're a really fun brand to work with, with an amazing image library and some risqué messaging that helps keep a campaign interesting.
In many ways though, it's similar to the policy events - and what I imagine all event industries to be like - in that there's a constant cycle, campaigns can run back-to-back and things can get a bit repetitive - probably one of the biggest challenges I face, but one that exists regardless of the industry.
That said, I’m lucky to enjoy variety in my role. Because we're such a small team, there's often an overlap between me marketing the events and running them. I love helping to choose a menu and being on-site early to set up, making up table centerpieces for our awards, and being there when it's all over – even when that means taking down flags and banners outside at 2am! It's often a team effort, with everyone, even the CEO, mucking in. That's the best part.
So far, work has only taken me as far as Manchester, but hopefully there will be opportunities to travel too. And, if I just get a little better at schmoozing, I'll be able to bag a discount or two I'm sure!
I just love how up your street this role is, and every time we catch up you’re genuinely enjoying work – which is not always the case for all of us!
Although you’re now based quite firmly in London (for the time being!), and with TTG have so far only managed a trip to Manchester, you have done a fair amount of travelling over the past decade, including seven months in Australia.
Do you have any tips for others looking to do something similar, any methods for planning such a trip, and how to look for work that can fund the lifestyle you might be looking to have as part of travelling?
Yes! I spent seven months in Australia, the majority of which was in Bondi, Sydney. I sometimes forget I actually lived and worked there back in 2015/16. Before this arguably life-changing trip, I'd never been outside of Europe, only ever going on family holidays or on what became an annual girls' trip to Ibiza 2012-2014.
I actually flew out to Australia alone… for love. I met Joe, now my boyfriend of nine years, the year before. A friend of a friend, we met at a festival in the summer of 2014, coincidently on my birthday. He already had the trip to Australia planned with his friends, and was leaving in December, so we knew (well, thought), our romance would be short-lived. When he left we both dated other people but continued talking, and I eventually made the bold decision to go out there and join him the following October. I had been working in a marketing role for beauty brand Elegant Touch, which I loved. But I quit, packed up my belongings, and moved all my stuff from the West London flat I shared with a friend, back to my family home about an hour away in Reading. I researched my visa options, deciding on a Working Holiday Visa and booked my flights for six weeks’ time.
I was 22, had some savings, had always wanted to travel and ultimately, I was in love! I was the first in my family, despite having two older brothers, to do anything like this, but my parents were both super supportive and proud too - my dad that I was off to see the world, and my mum that I was pursuing love. Ha!
Shortly after being reunited with Joe on the other side of the world, he encouraged me to book a 30-day tour along the East Coast, one that he had done a few months previously (and I'd seen hundreds of photos of!). I was really uncertain, not wanting to part from Joe again so soon. I remember being a little offended in fact! But he was working full-time and I wasn't fully embracing backpacking life or seeing much of the country I'd flown over 10,000 miles to visit. So I booked the trip, which was actually my first experience using a travel agent, Peterpans Adventure Travel – and was on the Greyhound bus leaving Sydney two days later!
This was without a doubt the best thing I have ever done and I can't recommend it enough. The people I met and the experiences I had were unforgettable. I did all the classics: jumped out of a plane from 14,000ft, scuba-dived in the Great Barrier Reef (seeing a lot of pretty coral, but sadly not much else), camped under the stars, sailed the Whitsundays, and learned to surf (sort of). I have the fondest memories of this time, and when I look back on my time in Australia, it was then that I made the memories that I treasure the most in my life so far.
WOW! Is there a memory or experience that stands out in particular?
The stand out memory would have to be the sky dive. When I booked the trip, I wasn't 100% sure I wanted to do one, not being the biggest fan of heights. It almost felt like I couldn't not do it though. The trip up to 14,000ft in the TINY plane was an experience in itself – though being strapped to a big Aussie bloke definitely helped! I remember saying to him, "How much higher?!".
But it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, free-falling for nearly a minute literally takes your breath away. I remember screaming, but no sound coming out. The moment when the parachute kicks in is the best part (partly because you know you're not going to die!), but when you catch your breath and can fully take in and enjoy the stunning 360° views as you fly through the air… that is a moment that will stay with me for life. The whole thing was recorded too - I sent it to my family straight after, apologising to my mum and dad! I've watched it a couple of times since, amazed I actually did it.
This honestly sounds incredible, and I don’t know why we haven’t talked about it more before! I also didn’t know they had Greyhound buses down under! I loved ’s account of her experiences of them in the US.
So what about the financial considerations for a trip like this?
It was truly incredible. For anyone even just considering doing something similar, I would say just do it! Book the flights, jump on the bus or train or boat - whatever it is. If you book a package trip like I did, everything is sorted – transport, accommodation and activities – so you don't need to worry about where you're sleeping that night or how to get from A to B. It worked out cheaper this way too. You meet the same people at different points up and down the coast which is lovely, and you're all in the same boat!
Be prepared to be thrown some curve balls though - I'll never forget the time when one bus literally dropped me off at the side of the road, all alone at 2am, and I just had to wait and trust that my connecting bus was coming! Luckily it did arrive less than five minutes later, but, especially as a woman travelling alone, it’s incredibly important to keep your wits about you, and read up on recommended safety precautions for wherever you’re travelling.
The trip itself was obviously a fair bit of money, and I do appreciate it’s not something everyone is able to do. I was young, without responsibilities, and lucky enough to have money saved from working in London – remember this was nearly ten years ago! When I returned to Sydney, Joe and I rented a flat with two friends – which actually turned out to be cheaper than hostels. I was DONE with bunk beds and shared bathrooms! I got a job door-knocking for Hello Fresh, but I lasted about two weeks - safe to say sales is not for me! After that, I had a few different waitressing jobs, which was more than enough to both fund our Sydney lifestyles and save for our next adventure. I actually think I found all these jobs on Gumtree of all places!
But after seven months for me and 16 for Joe in Australia, we set off on the long journey home. I actually have a Facebook album called exactly that, such a millennial…
Ha! So what made you decide that was the right time to come back?
I never did the farm work, which was a requirement at the time for a longer visa, and my Working Holiday Visa was coming to end. Currently 18-35 year olds can stay for up to a three years without needing to do this. We were both fed up with working in seemingly dead-end jobs, were itching to see more of the world, but also missing home.
So we packed up and then spent six amazing weeks travelling through Thailand and Bali. Bali wins the award for the best place I’ve ever been, though I'll never forget the moment we arrived at Bangkok airport - such a culture shock, but in the best way! Nothing was planned, we booked our accommodation and transport the day before sometimes, and just did what we wanted, when we wanted, for six weeks straight.
As fun as that was, inevitably the money ran out, and that was when it was time to return home. We booked our flights back for the next day, much to both of our parents' delight!
Well sounds like you really made the most of it, right to the last second!
And given that you’re now immersed in travel for your day job, do you still have the travel bug?
Now, I love living in North London, where Joe and I have lived for almost eight years, though moved around a few times. With our backpacking days behind us (for now at least), we’re much more likely to opt for an all-inclusive Greek getaway these days! We love city breaks too, visiting Amsterdam, Paris, Rome and Bruges in the last few years. Our travel these days feels more grown up – though we still love a rave or festival or two each year!
Also, I can't not mention our two little boys (cats)! Ozzy, who we came to us early in the pandemic, and Tom, who joined the family a year later. Having them means long distance/longer duration travel is trickier - plus we miss them too much!
I do miss living a stone’s throw away from the famous Bondi beach though, and often feel regret about not making the most of it. Why didn't I go to the beach every day?! But, England is home. I missed a lot while I was away - mum and dad turning 60, the birth of my first niece - and I don't think I could spend such a long time away from my family again.
In the next couple of years, we hope to move out of London and get ourselves on the property ladder, but not too far as we both commute in for work. Longer term, a house along the southwest coast would be the dream. I spent my childhood holidays in Devon and Cornwall, with lovely memories in Salcombe and St Mawes respectively, and am desperate to live by the sea again - though the bracing coastline of the English Channel is a little different to the vibe of Bondi!
Even if it is a bit chillier, living on the coast does sound dreamy!
So to round off, as you know the Cultural Compass column is a key feature of , so do you have anything you've read/watched/listened to lately that you'd like to recommend for readers?
I go through phases with reading, but a book I read recently and couldn't put down was American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins - a truly gritty and emotional drama. Would highly recommend!
I've just started A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara. I'm not really sure what I've let myself in for, but heard great things.
I'm a sucker for trashy TV though - MAFS, Love is Blind etc. Below Deck is probably one of my favourites, and a fairly recent discovery (to my absolute delight there are about 16 seasons too!). It combines the drama and romance of trash TV with the beauty of a good travel documentary; some seasons are set in unreal, idyllic locations like French Polynesia. Although wildly different, I used to go sailing with my dad in our little dinghy boat and I've always loved being around water. Chartering a private yacht has been added to my bucket list - a girl can dream!
Well, if not a private yacht, at least a Virgin Voyage?!
Thank you for sharing your insights Sarah, and I look forward to seeing where TTG might take you next!
If you liked this piece and would like to show some support without a paid subscription, a Ko-fi coffee is always welcome.☕
Great interview; I love the idea of using photos in between; it makes it personal and lively 😊👏