The ability to articulate myself verbally and in writing has been hugely helpful in every role I've done

A photo of Tristan Smyth
Tristan Smyth
HR Business Partner, pladis Global
BA English Literature
2014
Tristan is an HR Business Partner at pladis Global.
A photo of Tristan Smyth

What are your main responsibilities?

  • Acting as HR Partner to the Sales
  • Procurement and Project Management functions
  • Supporting on Performance and Talent processes
  • Inclusion & Diversity
  • Recruitment
  • Employee Relations Issues
  • Transformational Change
  • Employee Engagement

What other jobs have you had since graduating?

  • HR Advisor
  • HR System Implementation Partner
  • HR Project Manager
  • Teach for English as a Foreign Language

How has your degree from the School of English and your time at the University of Sheffield helped you in your career?

The biggest help is in transferrable skills. While the content of 'literature' in itself isn't relevant to my role, the ability to articulate myself verbally and in writing has been hugely helpful in every role I've done.

What is your greatest achievement to date?

Either my time living and teaching in Korea, or achieving the role I'm working in now!

What career advice would you give to a student interested in studying English?

While English is far from a vocational subject, it provides a range of skills that are transferrable across all sectors and roles, so if you feel passionate about literature and/or language, then this degree can set you up well for almost any sector!

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