Chloe Sutherland

I am a 23 year-old graduate with a 1st class degree in Sociology from the University of Manchester. I was also pleased to be awarded the Sociology Prize alongside this. Prior to my degree, I enrolled in a foundation degree in art and design, in which I achieved a merit. I have 7 years worth of front of house customer service experience, which has taught me skills in (as well as the importance of) communication, team work, team management and problem solving.

In my current role, I was nominated and shortlisted for bartender of the year at the Arc Awards 2022, after being in the role less than a year and without any previous bartending experience. I have also been promoted to the sole on-site trainer for the bar, demonstrating how I am able to quickly pick up new roles and master them in a short space of time. 

 My passions lie in the creative sphere - in lockdown I started a small business selling commissioned watercolour paintings, and handmade items such as face masks and hair accessories from second-hand fabrics. I have recently developed a passion for jewellery through collecting it, which I hope to pursue in the future with the goal of designing and hand-making my own jewellery for my brand. 

My professional experience consists of customer service roles thus far. Previously, I was a waitress at my first job but am currently a bartender. I was promoted recently to the sole in-site bar trainer, as well as being nominated and shortlisted for the bartender of the year award at the Arc Awards 2022, after less than a year in the job and with no previous bar experience. My time in the customer service industry has built on and expanded my skill set, specifically in people skills. For example, in these roles, quality communication is especially important, within the team as well as outwards with customers. Additionally, as one of the more senior bar tenders it is my role to manage members of my team and delegate, to uphold standards and contribute to the logistic organisation of the bar through problem solving. Skills such as these are vital to  success in all employment roles. 

At GCSE level I achieved 14 GCSEs A-C including maths and English, 2 of these are A* and 6 A's. My A-Levels consisted of ABB, after which I did a Foundation degree in Art and Design at Leeds Arts University, achieving a Merit. Following this, I studied Sociology at the University of Manchester, coming out with a first. I was especially proud of the work I put into my dissertation, coming out with a grade of 82, and to be given the Sociology Award. I have qualifications in both academic and creative spheres, resulting in well-rounded and varied knowledge and skill set. As well as this, I had never studied sociology prior to university, so I have demonstrated an ability to pick up an entirely new skill and to master it.