Claire Algar

Social Inclusion Manager

“The second I stepped onto campus, I just thought that I didn’t belong here.”

“I grew up in the local area, but the University wasn’t the kind of place that we ventured. But, I needed a job and made an application via Unitemps for an entry level role in the Chemistry department. I received a letter offering me an interview. That’s when I started questioning things, like why was I going to be interviewed by a Doctor of Chemistry.

I didn’t understand the structure of the University, didn’t speak or use the same language as everyone else and hadn’t had the same education. I thought very quickly that I don’t fit, I was very low on confidence when I started here. Over the years I’ve come to realise that Warwick has been amazing for me. With the support of my colleagues, who saw potential in me that I didn’t even know I had myself. I’ve been able to have a career and life that I didn’t know existed or I could even have.

Everyone should belong here and that’s why the work I do in the social inclusion team is so important to me. My focus is on social mobility, giving people opportunities that they wouldn’t normally have. Like my work on the prison leavers initiative or my work with the EY Foundation, who support young people from a low-income background to thrive in the workplace. We bring 20 young people onto campus for 10 days, twice a year, for some work experience and to learn employment and interview skills. I also designed and implemented the Social Inclusion intern programme, so I like to think that I’m making a difference to people’s lives.

Very occasionally, I still do have some nagging self-doubts about whether I really do belong here. Imposter syndrome creeps in regularly, but after 15 years, I absolutely do belong here. And so should anyone who wants a rewarding, fulfilling career.”