STEM Ambassador Profile
Name: Jean Air
Organisation: Procter & Gamble
Job Title: VAT & Intrastat Accountant
Area of work or study
Preparing VAT returns and statistical data for submission to Tax authorities.
How did you decide to work in your chosen field?
I have always been good with figures and interacting with others so have always chosen fields that involved those traits and activities. With in Procter & Gamble there are opportunities to work in different Roles, I started with Accounts payable, moved to Treasury and did Bank reconciliation then changed assignment into TCO - Tax Compliance.
Educational Path
I left School at 16 (1973) Further education was in College AAT within the last 5 years.
What attracted you to the STEM Ambassadors scheme?
To be able to encourage young people to take the initiative in the work they are looking to be involved in - help them to understand the careers they can achieve.
What do you like about being a STEM Ambassador?
I enjoy the change from the office environment, the sense of achievement when the students participate in the activities and find out things about themselves, when they are motivated.
What do you see as the benefits of the STEM Ambassadors scheme?
The main benefits are Students learn what is available and expected in the working environment from people who actually work in those fields. The STEM Ambassador can give something back to the community and feel a sense of achievement. The company the STEM Ambassador works for has an employee who is doing something they really enjoy, which makes a better work/ life balance.
STEM Ambassadors activities
Careers day - Talk on finance with Procter & Gamble.
Did a PowerPoint presentation showing the roles within P&G and the community within it. Explained the Principles & Values expected to a number of students throughout the day.
What was the reaction of the young people you worked with?
They were involved and asked many questions - they enjoyed the sessions.
What advice would you give to young people wanting to work in your field?
To look at the things you enjoy doing, plan what you want to achieve and actively take the initiative to achieve them.
Students should be given every opportunity to discover what is available to them - it is a large decision which in some cases could last their whole life - to do something they enjoy and can progress in makes sense. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to supply some of my knowledge of working life and the choices I have made to help them succeed in their lives.