Mixology Comms Guest Blog: Life during COVID-19 from a young professional's perspective.

So what life has been like for a young professional during COVID, about the resilience, coping mechanisms, adaptability and professionalism.

I set up and ran a business for 4 weeks during COVID-19 lockdown. Back in March, my husband, our flatmate and I were faced with the stark reality of lockdown. They (both chefs at Michelin-starred restaurants) were going to be put on unpaid leave, and the taproom for the brewery I work at was cutting hours dramatically. If you don't know yet, we live in London and living in London is scarily expensive, none of us has any bank of mum and dad to fall back on. We had to stay positive but also have a cat (Angus, he is adorable) so, we couldn't just go back up north (they have too many dogs, Angus would be so mad). I knew that pasta was flying off the shelves like a zombie apocalypse. I had an idea to just make fresh pasta and sauces in our affluent area to bridge the gap that supermarkets couldn't do. We managed to create an Instagram and Website with a form, and once our local news provider got a hold of it we were selling out! We even managed to get interviewed by the Telegraph.

We adapted to what we saw going on in the moment, we had an idea then took our strengths to get on with it. During COVID this goal and routine helped us give purpose instead of twiddling our thumbs. We eventually had to stop due to furlough coming in and the conflicts of contracts.

During COVID, it has been vital for me to keep going, always having a goal, keep going as I am known for keeping busy. I used to say that I have the same hours in the day as Beyoncé, but she is also a millionaire with a PA and staff. However, I always did more than most, I didn't get into University first time mainly due to mental health issues. I practically missed 3 months of sixth form college by partying then by April it was too late to learn, I went from AS-Level 3 B's to 2 U's and an E. My teachers at college were so devastated that they paid to get my papers re-graded as I couldn't afford it and the policy at the time meant I couldn't re-sit either. I cried, but I knew that I was more adaptable than that. My husband (boyfriend at the time) was a chef, we wanted to travel (still do) so I knew something generic was needed so that I can do it anywhere. Clearly, as exams weren't my thing, I found myself looking for an apprenticeship in Business Administration. I found one at Newcastle University at the School of Mathematics because I had done a Maths A-Level I knew context which set me apart from other applicants. Getting the job at Newcastle University was amazing, I used every aspect to make the most of it, I received Apprentice of the Year award for my first year there.

Then came the restructure, the faculty was changing from 10 schools to 4. My role was not initially even on the structure, but the lecturers and fellow colleagues fought for my job to be included so I could stay, which was humbling. Much like during COVID I had little security which was uncomfortable to go through again, but at least it wasn't new like so many others. It was like when people say that our generation can't rely on job security anymore, it ended up that jobs were going in the pay band above mine, so I chance it for an interview. There were 19 options with one events job left. I asked for that first as my experience in Scouting, and my previous job meant I was well qualified. I got the job! What I didn't realise was that I was the only events staff for the whole school of engineering, which was the second-largest school in the University, it was intense but worth the experience.

I had a typical full-time job, but when I was 19, I became the youngest district commissioner (area manager) in the UK in The Scout Accossiation. This was shared with 4 others but essentially adding an extra 20 hours to my full-time role at Newcastle University. This opportunity taught me about flexibility, teamwork and imagination. Exposing yourself to any and all possibilities, I originally wanted to increase my business admin skills by volunteering to be District Secretary. I saw a lack of flare and modern fun injected into the ideas the district were pursuing, so I offered to go above and beyond in the role. This innovative thinking was what drew me as a strong candidate to become district commissioner.

Have you ever seen the meme about applying from jobs at 22 and they ask for 10 years previous experience? I was that meme, I have been working (part-time) since I was 12, my first job was in a fish and chip shop in my hometown. I got the job because I was helping my mam and the local business owners put up Christmas lights. Quite often, I have been offered jobs because I was in the right place at the right time. Still, I actually need to give myself more credit, it was my helpful and willing attitude that sealed those deals.

During COVID, once we had done with Nightingale Pasta, I then re-wrote all of my university notes into a handy book. I then looked to my future, I would love to be an event producer, but the path isn't always so simple. I knew I needed to have a personal brand and portfolio, so I looked at my USPs, which is that the corporate events industry is reasonably bland, posh and not very diverse. If you ever met me in person, you would probably notice my tattoos first, during international confex it was something I noticed others stared at. So I used it as my unique selling point: Tattooed Event Manager. My tattoo artist who tattooed my whole back fixed me up with a logo and artwork (big up Paul Fulton), and I worked from there. It is currently just an Instagram, but my goal is to showcase my work on a website too. Which will hopefully showcase my flare, creativity and hard work and dedication to events production.

I knew that this was an excellent step to take during COVID because a role model in events Juliet Tripp posted the quote from Erica Williams Simon ' Don't attach yourself to a company or anything else except a mission, it will give you power and peace.' That resonated with me so much, I knew that I had to reinvent my version of #eventprofs. I never saw any event professional with tattoos or in the niche events industry, so I had to create that myself. It has taken me all these years to be comfortable with myself, my work and where I want to go with it. But at the heart of it all is the passion. As the world has changed from this pandemic, it has become clear that we as a generation will always get through, we sometimes need to remain flexible or just move the goal-posts.

No matter where you come from, if you try, tweak then complete. Go for every opportunity to be helpful and willing it will bring you the opportunity to learn and network, which will give you the tools to succeed. Learning that education is vital, from degrees, mentorship to being open, new ideas from the most unexpected moments.