This week, we had A Conversation With... Tom Strudwick. Tom is our Marketing and Communications Officer and works alongside the Admissions and Marketing departments. Tom joined in September 2017, and like our Year 7 Pupils, is coming to the end of his first year at Shiplake.
What does your average day entail?
I get into School at 9.00am most days, but I occasionally get stuck in traffic coming over Sonning Bridge. When I arrive, I often find that one of my lovely colleagues has made me a coffee, but if not I’ll make one for myself and anyone else who wants one. Then I’ll check my emails and do my daily bits, like updating the website, Tweeting and Facebooking. I often have the chance to wander around the School taking pictures of the various activities and sports we offer here. I religiously go for lunch as early as possible (because I rarely eat breakfast) and afterwards walk Maggie, my colleague’s dog. The rest of the day could be spent designing drama or music programmes, writing news stories for the website, photographing events, meeting with my colleagues. Part of the reason why I love my job is because it is very varied, no two days are exactly the same!
What were you like as a schoolboy and what was your favourite subject?
I went to school in my hometown of Chatham (in Kent), and was the typical long haired, skater-wannabe who listened to angsty music and was assured the world was out to get me. I always had good relationships with my teachers though, a lot of the time they were better relationships than with my classmates! I was quite a fluid individual though, in that I tried to be friends with everyone despite my ‘gothy’ appearance. I have always enjoyed English, creative writing especially, but it’s only since I’ve left school that I wish I’d have taken art as well. I left at the end of Year 11 because I wanted to go to College (far cooler) and I really enjoyed studying Communication and Culture.
What has been your favourite job?
I have had so many jobs in my lifetime. I’m only 23 but I’ve lost count of how many I’ve had. My dad has a pub in Kent so I started working at a young age, as a dishwasher, waiter, barman. My experience is in hospitality mainly, but I’ve worked all sorts of jobs from selling popcorn at a cinema to waiting on the Royal Family of Dubai. I was also a hospitality manager with Compass and travelled around the country going to various racecourses and venues. My role at Shiplake means I get to sit down, and after spending so many years on my feet, I’m very grateful for that. For this reason and the fact that everyone I work with is so lovely, working as a Marketing and Communications Officer at Shiplake College is my favourite job so far.
From what you have learned in previous jobs, what skills have you been able to apply to your job at Shiplake?
I’ve definitely put my customer service skills to good use, as that is dependent on good communication skills. I’ve always thought that most things can be forgiven if they are properly communicated. I studied journalism at university and spent a couple of months getting experience in marketing. It was only when I started this job that I realised how much I had learned while on my placement. I was once a sports photographer (for ONE football match) but again, it wasn’t until I started doing more sports photography at Shiplake that I realised that I’d learned, and forgotten, a lot about this particular type of photography.
What is your biggest pet peeve?
This is silly, but bad hand driers. Nothing frustrates me more than standing at a hand dryer that has about as much force behind it as a guinea pig’s sneeze. I’m not one for product placement, but I do love a Dyson Airblade.
What music do you like to listen to?
I’m one of those people who has such an eclectic music taste that it’s difficult to pinpoint any one thing. I enjoy classical and jazz, but also like some rock and pop. I’ve been really lucky because before I joined Shiplake I really wanted to learn the Piano. When I came here though, I was invited to take part in the Symphonic Challenge, which gives staff the opportunity to learn a musical instrument alongside our pupils. So I am currently learning the flute and will take my Grade 1 exam next month.
Weirdly enough though, I sometimes really enjoy Drum and Bass, but normally only when it’s dark and I’m driving on the motorway.
What does the future hold for Tom Strudwick?
The dream is to be a food or hotel critic, but I’m quite happy for now. I’d love to be able to afford to buy my own home with my girlfriend and our cats and I’d really love to have kids someday. It’d be really nice to be able to say I’ll be doing this, that and the other, but I honestly have no idea what will be happening in a year, let alone a decade or more!
