5 Minute Q & A with Katy Taylor & Mr Hicks

When did you leave Archbishop Beck Catholic College?

I left Archbishop Beck in March 2020, we called ourselves the ‘Class of COVID-19.’

The world went into lockdown and we thought we were having three weeks off sixth form, but never went back! Our A-Level exams were cancelled and we ended up being awarded teacher assessed grades.

What have you been doing since that time?

I started university in September 2020, studying Business and Management in Edge Hill University. During this time, I also started working as an online picker in a supermarket and have worked alongside my studies. I chose to live at home whilst studying rather than move away, so instead indulged on lots of holidays and a car!

I graduated university in July of this year, achieving a first class honours degree. I have recently accepted my first graduate role and will be starting as a trainee merchandiser for Matalan come September, based in their Head Office.

What are your memories of your time at the college?

I have the most amazing memories of my time at Archbishop Beck. I look back now and feel so lucky that I had such a brilliant experience of secondary school and sixth form.

I made great friends who I still have to this day, travelled to some fabulous places including Paris and London, expanded my skills in public speaking, and was part of the college’s brilliant concert band.

I would say my proudest achievement at the college was being chosen to be Head Girl in year 13, which felt like the cherry on top of the cake of my Archbishop Beck experience.

When you were younger, what did you want to be?

To be completely honest, I never had a clear idea of the career I wanted to go into. When I was younger I wanted to be a teacher, then a doctor, a lawyer, an air hostess, and many other things which would change on a weekly basis!

Even coming to the end of sixth form I was unclear about which direction to head in. I always enjoyed Business Studies and it became my favourite subject when I studied it as one of my A-Levels. I decided to pursue a subject I enjoyed, rather than focusing too much on a specific career, and chose this as my degree.

During my time at university, I found myself gravitating towards marketing-based modules and always found these the most interesting. I particularly developed an interest in the buying and merchandising field and always had a keen interest in fashion, and this is exactly what I am about to go into, so that worked out pretty well!

What advice would you give your teenage self?

If I could tell my teenage self one thing, it would be to relax and stop putting so much pressure on yourself. I was (and admittedly still am) a perfectionist and would hold myself to such high standards. Whilst this is good to an extent, I sometimes went overboard!

Also, I would tell myself that everything will always work out as it should, what is meant to be will be, and what is meant for you will never pass you by. Being 21 and fresh out of university is an amazing time to explore different paths and embrace everything young adulthood has to offer, so don’t stress too much about the distant future and focus more on what excites you right now.