An audience with Mary da Silva
For the first time in my career since graduating, I planned and enjoyed a 'mini career break' this year. Planning for this was informed by budgeting as a student; with my childcare grant and income from part-time employment, preparing for expected and unexpected expenses became easier. The basic Excel file I designed whilst studying to help me manage my income and expenditure and encourage saving, is now a more polished and interactive file with data visualisation. However, as a tool, irrespective of its level of sophistication, budgeting was an essential discipline. It helped me fund investments and large purchases and save for every type of day! As someone for whom security is non- negotiable, financial health aids my mental and physical well-being. Although I initially planned for a four-month break from working, this became a longer break as I refused to settle for just any role, but expenses and life do not stop! The mental clarity and time with family and self that this time has afforded me is unlike anything I have ever experienced. I am now looking forward to the most exciting and challenging period, and planning breaks between roles is firmly here to stay!
Looking back, is there anything you wish you had known or done differently regarding your wellbeing and managing your mental wellness while at UEL? Being a mature student in the true sense of the word helped in this area. I knew the importance of asking questions, requesting help and putting my hands up when I did not understand something. I would have liked to have more me-time, time in the library in the evenings and at weekends, but in the end, I made the best of my reality. While I didn't have time to go to the gym, I also didn't have the time (or funds) to consume regularly, so life was still balanced. How did your experience at UEL shape your approach to wellbeing and self- care in your professional and personal life today? Shortly after graduating, I landed an HR role in 2015. That experience was a form of validation, as my starting salary was almost identical to the salary I had lost when I switched to full-time study. After about three years in that organisation, I left to work as a self-employed HR consultant, which afforded me experience and exposure to different organisations, systems and ways of working. While I learned a lot, I did not feel I could take a break in those earlier years, almost like I had more to prove to myself and others. I would complete a contract on Friday and start the next contract the following Monday.
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