Rachel Crawford

Rachel Crawford is a Sales Effectiveness Manager at Inductive Automation. She graduated from the University of Kent in 2018 with an MA in History & Philosophy of Art, which included studying in Rome. Her journey from entry-level to managerial role in a software company showcases her adaptability and growth. Rachel's time at Kent equipped her with valuable analytical, research, and communication skills that have been instrumental in her career.

Tell us about your career path since graduation.

After graduating from Kent, I began working at a software company. I worked my way up from an entry level position and am now in a managerial role that helps increase the effectiveness of my whole department.

What does a typical work day look like for you?

My typical day at work entails assessing current processes for potential improvements, cross-departmental collaboration, and project management. I regularly work with the director of my department and other executive stakeholders to ensure that our team is effective and that our improvements are in line with other company strategies.

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

A recent professional highlight has been leading the rollout of a new system to our department. It took months of internal collaboration on the technical end as well as continual communication with strategic stakeholders to build out the right processes before on-boarding the rest of the team. It has been a couple months since the roll out, and I am proud to say that there has been adoption and great feedback that it was a relatively smooth transition.

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

My time at Kent has helped in multiple ways. Initially, it really helped me get my foot in the door at my current job to have an MA on my CV. Beyond that, the analytical and research skills that I learned during my program continue to help me every day. My time in the Rome program also helped me be an effective communicator with people from a variety of backgrounds, which has been very useful in cross-departmental and cross-cultural communications.

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

I'd recommend always being open and willing to try new things. I never thought I'd be in sales and it felt like a big jump from art history, but I went in with an open mind and ended up loving it! Be open to unexpected opportunities, and you will be surprised at how many of your current skills are transferable.

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

I was not involved in any organized activities or clubs, but spent most of my time with the other Rome students.

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

My favourite memory was meeting my best friend Rozali at a mutual friend's birthday party in one of the dorm kitchens. We connected right away, and went to an event together the next day where they had brought puppies to campus for the students to play with, and we have maintained our long distance friendship ever since!

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

I would have gotten more involved on campus during the fall semester before leaving for Rome, so I'd have met more people, even though I would've been gone during the spring semester.

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

Yes, I am still occasionally in touch with my dissertation supervisor.

What are your future ambitions?

I have thought about getting a PhD, but I am enjoying my current line of work and plan on staying in this role for the foreseeable future.