Lyle Young

Lyle currently works as both a paid author and social media manager for Crimson Cult Media, as well as a Database and Communications Coordinator at the University of Kent. 

Tell us about your career path since graduation. 

Since graduating, I wanted to use the transferable skills from my English degree in combination with my work experience. This led me back to the University of Kent where I engaged with students and promoted employability initiatives as the School of Arts and Humanities' Student Comms Coordinator. I have held many roles within my working life at the University but have never lost my passion for promoting higher education and helping students with their career paths beyond university. Alongside this, I have always loved my artistic hobbies, especially in creative writing. I continued to pursue these hobbies in my spare time, performing at local open mic nights and submitting stories to indie publishers.

What does a typical workday look like for you? 

A typical working day for me mostly involves meetings, admin and email. However, among these seemingly mundane tasks are opportunities to apply communication and engagement skills from my degree to promote innovation within the University, engage with targeted audiences, and help students and alumni who really need it. On lunch breaks however, without fail, I'll be writing.

Can you share a professional highlight from your career so far? 

The professional highlight of my career so far has been publishing my debut novel, The Occupant. At this point in my life, I had suffered an immense personal tragedy and was at a real low point. However, the reaction to The Occupant from friends, family, workmates, and the small community of followers I'd established on social media was simply overwhelming and still fills me with immense gratitude. On the evening of the book's release, it was trending at #50 on Amazon's list of New British Horror, something which I just had to take a screen grab of for prosperity's sake. Although the success of the book itself was amazing, I also realised that it was the connections I’d made with others on this journey of life that truly made the success feel worthwhile.

How did your time at Kent help you achieve your current career? 

I was particularly inspired by the writings of esteemed Kent alumni like David Mitchell, Kazukazuo Ishiguro, Alice Oseman, and Amy Sackville, the latter of whom who was my tutor for Contemporary Creative Writing, perhaps the most important module of my studies. It was thanks to Amy's advice and analysis that I was able to develop a critical approach at a vital moment in my writing journey.

What advice would you give to our current/prospective students who are looking to get into the same line of work? 

As cliche as it is, I'd have to say: don't give up and keep believing in yourself. Viewed through the lens of media, the outside world can sometimes seem like a hostile place. However, the reality is that we are living in a miracle age. There are so many wonderful things, wonderful people, and wonderful experiences out there just waiting to be discovered by you. In the coming years, we will need artists and writers more than ever to act as an antidote to the instant gratification and genericism offered by AI and Social Media, just as we will also need those same empathetic minds and talents to support our communities, both local and distant, with projects that bring individuals together, help them discover their commonalities, and promote the shared experiences of life in a way that only a living, breathing human can. Don't give up. Believe in yourself!

Did you get involved in any extracurricular activities as a student? 

Yes, I was part of the Kent Rock and Metal and the Anime Societies. These societies were essential to my growth as a person, helping me to socialise, come out of my shell, and discover friends and experiences that continue to shape my life to this day.

Do you have a favourite memory from your time at Kent? 

I was in a band of assorted, misfit musicians from across the various societies I was part of at Kent. During the Summer period, the daily schedule would pretty much be revision, rehearse (badly) in the Rutherford practice rooms, and then sit on the grass with crisps and drinks in the afternoon while complaining about the latest episode of Doctor Who. It was ace.

Is there anything you would do differently if you could repeat your time at Kent? 

I would study harder. The jump between secondary school and university was so immense that I was a bit overwhelmed by it at first and spent a lot of time hiding away and doing nothing, hoping the pressure would just go away. Over time, I started to come out of my shell bit by bit. Soon, I fully realised how much I enjoyed studying it, but was in my third year by this point. If I could go back and do anything, I would have forced myself to do this sooner.

Are you still in touch with other Kent alumni or academics? 

Yes, I very much keep in touch with friends from Kent Uni. I even acted as the best man at one's wedding recently.

What are your future ambitions? 

Well, basically just write more, publish more, and keep promoting the University of Kent in any way I can. If we're talking dream scenarios, I'd love to see a film adaptation of The Occupant. I've always thought it'd be fun to tune into the TV one evening, see a film playing and be able to say, "oh hey, I wrote this one!"