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Meet Sam, Higher Education Admissions Manager
- maryhartley19
- Nov 10
- 3 min read
Name: Sam
Degree: French & History
How did you spend your Year Abroad?
I worked as a language assistant in a collège and lycée in Roanne, France via the British Council
Briefly outline your journey from graduation to now.
Upon graduating I moved to France where I worked as a ‘Lecteur’ at the Université de Lorraine in Nancy, France. I had completed a CertTESOL to gain a formal qualification in teaching English as a second language, which helped me to secure the role teaching ‘LEA’ or 'Langue étrangère appliquée’.
After 1 year in France (and with Brexit complicating things) I moved back to the UK and got a job working at UWE in Bristol in the student administration team.
I then moved to Australia on a working holiday visa and have been here for 6 years, spending time working at the University of Sydney in their international exchange program, and as an placements coordinator for the Professional Year Program PYP) before moving to my current role.
What is your current job?
Admissions & Compliance Manager at a private vocational and higher education provider in Sydney, Australia
What does your current job involve day to day?
My team reviews and processes applications to study at our college and university, considering the applicants suitability before providing an outcome which hopefully means offering a place to study with us. I also ensure that we comply with the relevant government legislation and governing body standards that apply to all registered education providers. International education in Australia is strictly regulated, especially in terms of compliance with student visa conditions which is a dual responsibility of the student and provider. The role requires strong written and verbal communication skills, and I will frequently update our policy and procedures or conduct staff training sessions.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
Daily interactions with students from all over the world and helping to enhance their experience of their time at college/university. Being away from home in a country where English is your second or even third language presents lots of challenges, and it’s satisfying to see how appreciative the students are when you can provide them with the support/advice they need.
What advice would you give to someone interested in this job?
Working in tertiary education, I have found that you are surrounded by likeminded people who often share similar values, and there is always a route for career progression, especially within larger education providers (e.g. public universities). The work/life balance is valued, and work arrangements such as flexitime and some WFH are more commonplace than typical corporate jobs. If you are passionate about helping others have positive educational experiences, and want to work with colleagues who share similar values, then I would suggest getting your foot in the door by looking into entry level roles (e.g. student support, faculty administration roles) at a big employer, like a public university.
How has your languages degree been useful during your career so far?
My studies directly influenced my decision to firstly live and work in France post-graduation, then later to pursue a career in international education.
Do you use or practise your languages outside of work?
Not as much as I’d like to but whenever the opportunity presents itself I will use my French conversationally with native speakers if the situation presents itself.
Thanks very much to Sam for sharing his journey!
Did you study a language at university, like Sam?
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