A Sunderland university student is set to begin a new life in London after landing her dream job in fashion.
Caitlyn McAdam has walked straight into a top job at Matalan after finally graduating from the Univerity of Sunderland. The 22-year-old was able to celebrate her First Class Honours degree in fashion journalism with friends and family this week - after Covid restrictions delayed the ceremony by a year.
Now the graduate from Newcastle has "closed the chapter" on her time at university and is ready to embark on a new career as a social media executive at Matalan’s head office in the capital.
The role will see her be responsible for researching and creating content for the company’s social media platforms and attending campaign photoshoots.
Putting her success down to hard work and fate, Caitlyn said: "I remember seeing the job advert but it was too late to apply, it had expired. I was so disheartened as it seemed such an incredible position.
"However, the ad was posted again, and it felt like fate, that it was a sign I had to go for it. I had no idea where it was going to lead to, and I didn’t think I had a chance, but I had to try my best.
“Then I got invited for a first interview, followed by a second interview where I had to create a presentation for a Matalan summer campaign, which then led me to great success and being offered the job.”
She continued: "The thing I’m most looking forward to in my new job is that every day is going to be different. One day you could be going to a campaign photoshoot to shoot content, the next you could be on an event trip. The opportunity to grow and progress is endless.
“I can already tell I’m going to love my new role because I get to do what I love every day – fashion and social media. Not to mention working for an incredible company with such a positive and friendly team in a brand new city. It’s a dream!”
Caitlyn is one of around 2,500 University of Sunderland students to have returned for the graduation ceremonies at the Stadium of Light this week, after missing out in 2020 and 2021 due to the coronavirus crisis. During her time at Sunderland, Caitlyn grabbed every opportunity to hone her skills as a fashion journalist with both hands.
Programme Leader for Fashion Journalism at the University, Carole Watson, said: “From day one, Caitlyn was a model student with a can-do positive attitude to her studies and to extra-curricular work as a student ambassador and Fashion North editor.
“She grabbed with both hands every opportunity put her way during her studies, and as a mediaHUB intern for the last year, she’s been amazingly supportive to me and the students.
“I’m sure all the skills and knowledge she’s accrued at Sunderland will make her an invaluable asset in her future job, and that she’s going on to great things.
“I’m so delighted for her, and Matalan are lucky to have her.”
READ NEXT:
'A true inspiration' - Tributes paid to Dec's brother Father Dermott Donnelly after death aged 55
'He's like a meme' - Newcastle's delight after Boris Johnson resigns calling it 'long overdue'
See inside the Sunderland CCTV centre that's watching over your every move
Gordon Ramsay delights diners as he tucks into meal at Newcastle restaurant Khai Khai
