Carys is a freelance project manager who bit the bullet and set up her own business during the pandemic following a career agency side managing projects for the likes of Lego, Selfridges and JD Weatherspoon. She has been in TV production, talent management and Engineering before finally getting into digital project management.
It took me longer than I’d like to admit to move into digital, and it was one of the best things that could have happened. I really found my stride and space within digital and there will be no turning back.
Sitting here today, as a freelance digital project manager I am somewhat amazed as to where I am but also very proud. If nothing else, it proves you can do what you want and find your space. I really enjoy being a Project Manager, it isn’t always easy but it is always different and really challenges me.
My CV on paper is… well, it’s all over the place. Without taking you on a Lord of the Rings style saga I started out in independent TV production, moved into talent management, then into R&D engineering then finally into digital.
In each place, I was just curious. I asked loads of nosy questions. I invited myself into peoples’ offices in a coworking building with the promise of coffee just to see what they did and how they did it.
I’ve had a lot of people in my career be really open to me and offer opportunities and advice, something I try and hope to pass on to others. I started with more traditional project management, and had minimal formal training but a lot of hands-on training and it has proven to be a great base.
When I started at a digital app agency, I took on a lot of different aspects through genuine interest - user story writing, testing, QA management but I loved being a PM the most. I got to work with some amazing, well known clients such as Selfridges, River Island, LEGO, American Golf, J D Wetherspoon and Dobbies. Being a PM it’s the role where you get to do a bit of everything, speak to everyone in the team and work with the clients - for me, it’s a job that suits my brain, where I can flit around from piece to piece and somehow keep all the plates spinning and then intensely focus for a set period.
During the pandemic, our workload increased. Everyone wanted an app. I was promoted to Senior Project Manager as our team grew under the leadership of one of the best managers I’ve ever worked with. But, another itch was growing. I wanted to do this for myself. Be my own boss, see who I can work with, do different things and who knows where it might lead to.
So, I did.
I set my company up and went to work to find my first freelance job. Listened to Kate Bush’s Cloudbusting on repeat, accepted the confidence boosts from anywhere (hairdressers and nail techs are the best), and just really believed it would happen.
I set my company up and went to work to find my first freelance job. Listened to Kate Bush’s Cloudbusting on repeat, accepted the confidence boosts from anywhere (hairdressers and nail techs are the best), and just really believed it would happen.
And, it did.
The digital space is like outer space. There are so many unique pockets, it feels ever expanding, and I just want to planet hop and explore to see what else I can be a part of.
There’s no ‘right’ route to getting the job you want (or think you want) in digital. I’ve always been curious, and liked asking questions, it’s opened up so many doors and connections for me. It’s also okay to switch job roles, spaces, careers and as many times as you like. Just be open to people’s advice, take offers that excites you and remember your worth - talk about your salary with others!
The biggest help though? Have your hype team around you, and be that cheerleader for others. No gatekeeping, there’s room for everyone and everyone has different strengths.
Got a question for Carys? Find her on linked in here
