LAUNCHING: CATHERINE SARSFIELD
Current Employer:
Finisterre
Time at the company:
2 years 6 months
THE BIG QUESTIONS
WHAT IS YOUR PROFESSIONAL TITLE?
Marketing Content Writer & Events Co-Ordinator
WHAT DO YOU DO ON A DAY-TO-DAY BASIS?
I write all content for our brand, from advertising to newsletter copy; I also organise all marketing events from new shop launches to talk nights in-store.
WHAT DID YOU WANT TO DO WHEN YOU WERE A CHILD?
I wanted to be a writer – initially a poet and then a playwright.
WHAT ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS DO YOU HAVE?
I graduated from the University of Exeter with a 2:1 BA Hons in English Literature.
WHAT’S THE BEST CAREER ADVICE YOU’VE EVER BEEN GIVEN?
Take every opportunity that comes your way.
WHO IS YOUR ROLE MODEL AND WHY?
Probably someone like Rachel Delahay (a British playwright) for her talent, love of the theatre and for breaking barriers of racial prejudice through her writing.
WHAT IS THE BEST THING ABOUT YOUR CURRENT WORKING ENVIRONMENT?
I work on a clifftop in Cornwall and I get to surf whenever it’s good, go for walks and adventure alongside working with amazing people.
WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE ABOUT YOUR DAILY WORK ROUTINE IF YOU COULD?
I would probably start later so I could really enjoy my mornings and be a bit more productive.
WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF PROFESSIONALLY IN FIVE YEARS’ TIME?
I hope I’ll be back in Cornwall after travelling and have set up a communal workspace, run a little kitchen and my magazine out of the back of it!
DO YOU FEEL YOU CAN BE THE SAME PERSON AT WORK AND IN PRIVATE?
Yes definitely – especially at the company I work at now.
WHERE AND IN WHAT ROLES ARE WOMEN IN THE LEADERSHIP STRUCTURE AT YOUR COMPANY?
Most of Finisterre’s higher managers are women – we’ve gone from being a male dominated company to being run by women.
DOES DIVERSITY MATTER TO YOU?
Absolutely. Both gendered diversity and racial diversity. In the surfing industry, it’s easy to be steered by men. I love that the women I work with are always striving for more and take on a variety of roles.
HOW GOOD IS YOUR WORK LIFE BALANCE?
It’s good now. When I first started the role, I spent too much time getting bogged down in work because I was so passionate about the brand. I’ve realised after some time that you need to take a step back and soak it all in.
WHAT QUALITIES DOES BEING IN YOUR ROLE NECESSITATE?
Positivity. Passion. Drive. Nurturing. Councillor. Role model.
ANY FINAL COMMENTS?
You definitely need to be creative but also able to take constructive criticism. I feel like you need a strength to defend your creativity and also to accept when things might not go your way. And being social really helps, especially when it comes to events.