'Finding my feet'

Throughout this week we’ll be sharing stories from around the business to highlight our inclusion campaign - Altogether Different.

Mayan Christophides is an account manager and apprentice in our Sales team. She is also a member of our Youth & Friends steering group.

‘Before working at Royal Mail I was studying for a costume degree at Huddersfield University,’ said Mayan. ‘I left this degree after realising I needed more of an academic career. Prior to this I’d been studying arts subjects throughout school and college, so starting a sales degree was a big step! Aside from work, I still enjoy painting, drawing and sewing – so I get my creative fix as well as having the academic side to my life.

‘I started working for Royal Mail in October 2017 as a Sales apprentice undertaking a three-year programme, during which I’m studying for a BSc in Business-to-Business Sales at Middlesex University. This means I get one day per week to work on university projects and I spend the remaining four days integrating my learning and testing out theories in my role. I also go to London four times a year with my fellow apprentices to get some face-to-face time with our tutors, who introduce the modules and set us up for the next few months.

‘In my everyday role I look after a portfolio of 100 business customers, making sure that they have the most appropriate services and helping to grow their business. On a day-to-day basis I call customers, identify opportunities to upgrade their postage services and try to offer insights into better ways of working, methods of growing their customer bases, and generally furthering their businesses.

‘I chose the Royal Mail apprenticeship scheme as it was the only apprenticeship of its kind; I’m part of a group undertaking the first ever Sales degree, whilst also getting the benefits of earning while I learn and developing my skills through practice. I knew Royal Mail was a large company that had a good track record of looking after its employees. I’ve always preferred working for larger companies that have strong support networks in place.

‘How do I feel as a young person working at Royal Mail? I’m fortunate to work in a very inclusive and open office. All of my colleagues have been brilliant over the last year. Their support has helped me in so many ways to broaden my learning and find my feet. I also work alongside five other Sales apprentices whose presence means I always have someone to talk to about university work or the challenges of our roles.

‘Within my role I feel I have a broad range of opportunities available to me. As part of the apprenticeship scheme we’re asked to complete at least three field visits, where we’re tasked to accompany various salespeople to gain experience of different roles, so that we can get an idea of what area of the business we’d like to move into once the apprenticeship is over. I understand for other areas of the business there may not be the same opportunities that I have been given, particularly in Operations, so the Youth network is looking to help improve this.’

Supporting younger colleagues

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Making our business a place where young people can achieve their potential remains a priority.

Royal Mail’s Youth & Friends steering group is looking to engage with our younger colleagues across the business. To join, find out more about the network, share ideas and feedback or suggest ways we can engage with younger colleagues better, please email youthnetwork@royalmail.com.

There is also a closed Facebook group for employees aged 16-24 and their supporters. To join, all you need to do is email youthnetwork@royalmail.com with your name, location, employee number and the email address that you use to sign in to Facebook and we will send you an invite.