Lost, Found, and Thriving: My Wild Career Journey

We love celebrating women who take big steps in their careers, face challenges head-on, and come out thriving. And if there’s anyone who embodies that spirit, it’s Ella. 

She’s chatty, full of energy, and so passionate about what she does that it’s hard to imagine her ever feeling lost. But like many of us, her career hasn’t followed a straight line… it’s been a rollercoaster of unexpected twists, big lessons, and a whole lot of resilience. Here’s her story...

If you’d told little me I’d end up working in advertising on the Isle of Man, I would have laughed and gone back to putting on my latest amateur theatre performance in the living room. 

My dreams were always clear, theatre or teaching, but, as we know, life loves a plot twist.

The Early Days: Theatre, Business, and Big Ideas

I started with a double diploma in theatre and business (because why pick one?) and threw in English and sociology for good measure. Then I applied for Goldsmiths University because they had a super niche degree: Education, Culture & Society. It was perfect! I could mix child psychology, community arts, and education without being locked into one career path. Genius, right?

But then came my Teach English in China phase. Three months in, I realised two things:

1. Mandarin is hard (I can order dumplings, though… success?).

2. Teaching was great, but maybe not in the traditional sense.

   
   

I had visions of becoming the next great educator, inspiring young minds and making a real difference. 

The reality? I spent a lot of time wildly gesturing at confused students and getting very excited when they understood me. It was fun, challenging, and completely out of my comfort zone, but ultimately, I knew traditional teaching wasn’t my forever path.

While I was off having adventures, I also met Theo, my now-husband, a lovely human from the Isle of Man. After University, London started stressing me out, so in 2019, we took the plunge and moved together to the Island. 

The Harsh Reality of Dream Jobs

Armed with our shiny education degrees, we were ready to change the world… except the world (aka the Isle of Man education sector) wasn’t that interested in hiring us. I was passionate about working with Special Educational Needs kids, having volunteered and studied it at University, but despite 30+ job applications and even speaking to the department, nothing.

Cut to me trying everything and anything. Scramble mode. Volunteering, networking, applying for every role remotely related to education. But no dice. It was a humbling experience, to say the least. It felt like all the work I had done at university, all the passion I had for education, was just floating away with no way to anchor it to a career.

So, what did I do? Naturally, I ended up working at Isle of Man Bank as a teller. Which was hilarious because I passed maths by one mark. But, somehow, I didn’t break the banking system and even got promoted to the business and premier phone line during COVID. A big deal! 

But then, when things settled, I bounced back into branch work. Deflating.

I tried a work-from-home job in video game procurement and accounting, but turns out, when left alone, I nap. So, yeah… that wasn’t for me. It was a strange time of trying to force myself into roles that didn’t suit me just to get by. And honestly? That was exhausting.

Meanwhile, I was still trying to get into education, but needing a work permit complicated everything. It felt like an impossible wall to climb. And so, I started looking elsewhere.

From Estate Agent to Radio Sales: Finding My Feet

Then, my first real career love happened, I became an Estate Agent! Every day was different, I was helping people in dream home moments (and nightmare ones), learning negotiation, marketing, and quick turnaround skills. Loved it. I got to interact with people, problem-solve on the fly, and develop some serious thick skin (because house buying is stressful).

But when the perks never materialised like I thought, I knew it was time to go. It was disappointing because I genuinely loved the role, but it was time to find a career, not just a job. 

Next stop? Multimedia sales! This job was SO me. I had great clients, created marketing campaigns, helped brands find their voice, worked on events, and totally thrived in the creative chaos. I learned how to make businesses shine, how to tailor messaging to different audiences, and how to juggle multiple projects at once.

However, I decided to move on, knowing I was closer to what I wanted than ever before. 

Finally, A Job That Clicks

Which brings me to now… Hello Isle of Man Advertising & PR! I’ve been here nearly two years, and honestly? I love it. Marketing, sales, social media, events… I feel like I’ve finally found my niche. 

I get to use my creativity every day, working on projects that genuinely excite me. And for the first time ever, I work under a strong female director, and wow, does that make a difference!

I can confidently say I am thriving. I love building campaigns, strategising, and bringing ideas to life. And I’m surrounded by a team that supports and uplifts each other. That also makes all the difference.

Oh, and somewhere in all of this, I came across the Islands Women’s Rugby. I joined Vagabonds Ladies Rugby two years into my time here, and if it weren’t for them, I’m not sure I’d still be on the Island. The friendships, the community, the sense of belonging… it gave me something I desperately needed. 

Now, I’m the Social & Media Secretary, part of the sponsorship team, and have pulled off epic events, including International Women’s Day partnerships with major brands. Plus, we love a TikTok moment.

Lessons from the Rollercoaster

So yeah, my career hasn’t been a straight line… It's been a rollercoaster. But each job has given me skills that have made me successful in marketing. I used to feel embarrassed about my winding path, but honestly? I’m so over that.

Every so-called ‘wrong turn’ gave me something valuable:

• Working in a bank taught me resilience and customer service skills.

• Estate agency taught me sales, negotiation, and how to market a product (or a house!).

• Media sales introduced me to the world of advertising, branding, and campaign strategy.

• And now, in marketing, I get to use all of those skills every single day.

  
  

I’ve navigated some challenging work environments, faced frustrating setbacks, and tackled moments of total uncertainty, but I’ve come out the other side loving what I do.

Turns out, I really like it here.

So if you’re feeling stuck, lost, or like your career isn’t going in a straight line, guess what? That might be the best thing that ever happens to you.

Ella’s journey is proof that success doesn’t always come from a perfect plan… It comes from embracing change, learning from every experience, and staying open to new possibilities. 

Whether you’re switching industries, navigating setbacks, or just trying to figure out what’s next, know that you’re not alone. At Level Up Club, we’re here to support, encourage, and celebrate every step of the way. 

Sometimes, the best career paths are the ones you never saw coming!