For International Women’s Day (8th March) we are delighted to present a Q&A with our own inspiring Founder and CEO, Laura-Jane Rawlings.
Welcome LJ! Can you tell us a bit about yourself and what you do?
I am the CEO & Founder of Youth Employment UK. I set the organisation up in 2012 following the number of young people not in education, employment and training (NEET) reaching 1 million. I felt that there was a need to provide support to young people and – most importantly – give them a voice on the issue of youth employment.
Day to day I lead the organisation which has 13 staff members working hard to support our mission. On any given day I can be developing our business strategy, supporting colleagues, leading projects, working with our volunteer Youth Ambassadors, supporting our network of youth-friendly employers or in conversation with the government about youth employment policy. It is a busy company and so I have a very busy role; as the CEO I am usually the first in, last out and will often work evenings and weekends.
Youth employment is a topic close to my heart as I am a mum to two, Matthew (17) and Kathryn (13). We live in a small industrial town that has poor outcomes for young people so I see daily the challenge that young people face. But also I left school at 16 where I had been a free school meal student. The experiences I have had growing up meant that I have had to work really hard to break through in my career and I feel so passionate about helping young people to fulfil their own potential.
Has there ever been a time when the world said “no you can’t because you’re a woman” but you did it anyway?
Yes! My first career was in sales in the IT industry. Back then, it was a particularly male dominated industry. A sales manager actually told me he would not promote me until a male colleague in my office had been promoted, despite the fact that I was the highest earning sales person. I had never felt my gender before until then, and dont think I have really experienced the same level of discrimination since, but it has stayed with me.
Soon after this experience I began looking for a new company and took up a great new job with a much more progressive and exciting company. When I handed in my notice I made a point of reminding the sales manager of that conversation and explaining that his outmoded thinking was why I was leaving.
You’re a mum and a CEO. Out-of-date business thinking says the two can’t go together. What do YOU say?
Ha, I definitely think my children are better for it. I discuss work a lot at home and my children have become much more work-ready, socially conscious, aware of their privilege and business savvy because of it. Yes, there are sacrifices and I work hard to find a balance, which I don’t always strike. However, I try to be kind to myself when it doesn’t go according to plan.
It was harder, of course, when they were younger – but the four of us work as a team and I think it has made our family unit stronger.
You’re a massive rugby fan! Is rugby a bit like STEM – a world where your gender does not reflect your skill or passion, even though some people might think it does?
I played rugby from the age of 6 and played at a high representative level including Midlands and England Students. I have always had great support from my family and friends; my dad and mum were coach and manager for a lot of my club rugby.
People are often surprised when they hear that about me! It still surprises people that women play rugby. Our England Women’s team are currently ranked number 1 in the world and should be a team we all feel proud about. A number of the Youth Employment UK team went to watch the Red Roses v New Zealand game at a near packed-out Saints Stadium recently and had a great day.
Can you think of any challenges young women might be facing today in growing their career confidence? What would you say to them?
In the Youth Voice Census 2021 we heard about the growing anxiety facing young people and I know young women face so many levels of pressure which impacts on their mental health. I am glad that I did not grow up in the age of social media as I didn’t have millions of people telling me my choice to play rugby or work in IT were wrong.
When it comes to being you and having the career you want, I like to imagine those barriers that we all face as thin glass; easy to smash through. There may be criticism and people who doubt your ability, but actually women – and all of us – have incredible power to be our own biggest champions.
Don’t look for approval! I encourage my daughter to be true to herself, to believe in her choices and focus on her journey and I try to be a role model for those values for her.
Shoutout! Who are some of your favourite women working to empower others in youth employment today?
I am lucky to work with some great women, both at Youth Employment UK and in my wider network. I am also lucky to work with brilliant men who see women as their equals.
But a big shoutout to –
Team members Lauren Mistry, Magda Knight, Atim Arden, Kim Lupton, Georgia Williamson, Executive Director Sharon Blyfield OBE, Amy Caton and all in the Youth Employment UK staff and board team. PLUS: A big shoutout to all our amazing Youth Ambassadors acting as role models for other young women.
Beyond Youth Employment UK, I’ve had the pleasure of supporting, championing and learning from the incredible work of a huge range of brilliant women! To name but a few, I’d like to draw your attention to the work of Samantha Avanzo-Windett, Joanne Rich, Anna Darnell, Dr Anna Morrison CBE, Nicola Hall, Sam Olsen, Dr Jane Colechin, Carla Rossini, Jenny North, Dame Julia Cleverdon, Diane Modhal MBE, Sharon Davies, Clare Boden-Hatton, Charlotte Jeffreys, Cristiana Orlando, Harriet McCann… and, oh, I am so sorry if I have missed any out.
There are so many women I admire, who mentor me and don’t know it and who have helped me grow as a female leader.
