Amy Reid ’18
Amy Reid ’18
I attended Queen’s from 2011 to 2018, starting in Year 7 and staying through to Year 13. One of my fondest memories has to be our Leaver’s Panto in 2018. We created some iconic videos — a special shout out to the ‘Man’s Not Hot’ music video, which was absolutely legendary! It was such a fun afternoon, filled with laughter and joy. It gave us the chance to be silly together one last time, but also to reflect on the seven years we’d spent side by side. There was a mix of emotions that day — plenty of laughter, a dose of nostalgia, and of course, a little sadness knowing we were all about to go our separate ways.
The teachers at Queen’s made a lasting impact on me, each in their own way, but I especially owe a lot to Mr Tucker. He was a real saving grace during my time there. I’ve always been a creative person, and he gave me the space and encouragement to explore that side of myself — something I really needed in what was otherwise a very academically driven environment. At the time, I had no idea that my love for art would eventually steer me into a marketing career, but looking back, I’m so grateful for the support Mr Tucker gave me to follow what I loved most.
After leaving Queen’s, my journey wasn’t exactly the traditional university path. I started off studying photography at university, but it didn’t take long to realise it wasn’t quite right for me. I came back home and dived into a marketing apprenticeship at an events company in Chester, and that’s where everything clicked. That role lit a fire in me, and my passion for marketing really began to grow. In 2022, I took a leap into the travel industry, started a new role, and completed my CIM (Certificate in Marketing), graduating with a Distinction.
Marketing wasn’t even on my radar when I was still at school, but looking back, the creative sparks were there — in subjects like Art and English. It almost feels like it was written in the stars. I took Art and Psychology at A-level, which, when you think about it, is kind of the perfect combination for someone heading into marketing. Psychology taught me how people think and behave, while Art helped me visualise concepts and develop a creative approach. Together, they laid the foundation for the work I do today.
Now, I’m a Senior Marketing Executive at the Travel Innovation Group, working with some incredible global brands like Virgin Atlantic, Virgin Voyages, and British Airways. My role is super varied — exactly what I love about it. One moment I’m filming and editing video content, the next I’m mapping out full-scale marketing strategies with stakeholders. I get stuck into everything from writing content for emails, websites, and social media, to digging into analytics and pulling together campaign reports to share with our partners. Some days, I’m deep in the data; other days, I’m researching the latest TikTok trend to film with the team. It’s fast-paced, ever-changing, and endlessly creative.
Queen’s gave me so many valuable skills, but perhaps the biggest were resilience and adaptability. I didn’t have the easiest time — I was a brsary student from a very different background than many of my peers. I wasn’t raised with money, and that meant learning to adapt quickly and understand that not everyone walks the same path. But I also discovered that abundance comes in different forms. I may not have had the same resources, but I had a drive, perspective, and a strong self of self — qualities that turned out to be just as valuable, if not more.
Queen’s taught me that everyone deserves a chance, and that what really matters is what you do with that chance. It pushes me to focus on what I wanted, not what was expected of me, and that mindset has stuck with me ever since.
For any current students considering a career in marketing, my advice is simple: don’t be intimidated. Yes, it’s a popular field these days, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t room for you. In a world where anyone can technically “do” marketing, what really sets people apart is their perspective, creativity and voice. The real magic happens when you take the core principles of marketing and make them your own.
Marketing changes the way you see the world. You’ll find yourself dissecting ad campaigns while watching TV, peeking at URLs to spot tracking parameters, or mentally rewriting billboards on your commute. It becomes part of your everyday curiosity — and honestly, it’s a joy.
So come on over. Bring you ideas, your style, your voice — and leave your mark.
