Meet Holly, a graduate from Bath Spa University

What university did you attend?

I studied Business and Criminology at Bath Spa University. I choose to go to Bath because I loved the city, but also the countryside feel. It felt like it was the best of both worlds as I have lived in the countryside all my life. 

Did you need to relocate for the Graduate Scheme?

No, I live locally, meaning I did not need to relocate for the scheme. 

What is your favourite food?

It has to be a roast dinner with all the trimmings. My favourite is a beef dinner with two Yorkshire puddings, not forgetting cauliflower cheese, cauliflower cheese is one of the best parts.

What is your favourite film?

This is one question I need to think about, however, if I had to pick a favourite film, it would probably be The Notebook, I love a classic romantic story, but it does make me cry. 

Tell me an interesting fact about yourself

I’ve skied since I was three years old, and I’ve had the opportunity to spend a lot of time in France with my family. When I was 18, I broke my back sledging on the lugee. I went sledging one afternoon, it was icy, yet sunny, and I was on a plastic sledge; when I was going down the lugee, I hit a mound and injured myself, cracking one of my vertebra; I was unable to travel home in the traditional way, so I had travel flat in the back of a car for 17 hours, although this has not deterred me from continuing to ski.

What did you do after university?

Initially, I decided to do a ski season in France, as you can tell, I just love skiing. At the time I wasn’t prepared for the corporate world, and wanted a break before focusing on my career. After France, I went to Australia for three months, exploring the East coast, with the best part being the great barrier reef, snorkeling is incredible there. I cannot put into words how surreal it was to witness how the coral was breathing. 

Once I had explored Australia, I knew my travels were not complete, so I came home for a week, and then decided to venture to Italy to be an au pair. I went to an area in Tuscany called Forte dei Marmi, it was such a beautiful and amazing place to live. I looked after a 13-year-old girl working Monday to Friday and had weekends to myself. I was living my best life. When I was there, I met a bunch a girls who had all moved to au pair. We travelled round Italy, visiting Rome, Pisa, Milan, and other areas, it was just incredible. 

Anything exciting plans that you have up and coming?

At the moment I’m saving for a house; I’m looking to buy a renovation to put my own personal touch to, but that’s a while off yet. 

If you could have dinner with a famous person, who would it be and why?

It would definitely be Winston Churchill, to be able to ask him about his life, how he got to the position of Prime Minister and how he dealt/made the decisions he did with the pressure which was on his shoulders. 

Do you have a favourite book?

My favourite is It Ends With Us, it’s a very well written and gripping book. (I finished it within a day!) 

What is your go to family board game? 

Monopoly – I am very competitive; however, I am that competitive that it is not allowed to be played in the family household! 

What was your favourite subject at school and why?

Economics. I loved learning about all things relating to the economy, such as interest rates and why they have such a big impact on the economy. 

What’s your biggest achievement so far on the bet365 Operations Management Graduate Scheme?

I would say that my biggest achievement is proving to myself that I can do it. Going from university to a full-time job in a field which you have never experienced before is very daunting but, also I have found it very rewarding. It has allowed me to believe in myself and feel ready for the next steps in my career.