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Women in Leadership
Name: Fran
Role: Marketing Director
Company: Moodsonic
A bit about you: My background is a combination of design, music and science. I work at a small company that designs audio experiences in buildings -- a bit like a sound architect. I lead the marketing, carry out research about sound, and give creative input on our projects and product.
What is it like working in your company? Working for a small company has its pros and cons. The daily routine is varied, you get to take on lots of responsibilities, and can make an impact on projects without having to go through dozens of levels of approval. But, working for a small company means there are fewer resources to get the job done.
Why did you decide to go into your chosen field? I’m very lucky because my job is a combination of everything I'm interested in: sound, design and science.
What qualifications and work experience did you need to reach your current position? I have a degree in Design and a masters in the Neuroscience and Psychology of Sound. But, these aren’t necessarily requirements. I got my job initially from demonstrating passion for the subject and gently harassing someone enough until they gave me a job!
What do you enjoy the most about your job? The basis of our company is about using sound to benefit people. I get to spend my days researching and working on projects that I actually care about and making a difference to people’s experiences.
What obstacles have you overcome in your career? I am pretty quiet, which can be a struggle in work generally. Over the last few years I have become better at speaking up, but also learned that being quiet can have its benefits - focussing on quality rather than quantity means that people value what you have to say.
Why do you think it is important to have a strong female representation in your industry? The audio industry is dominated by men, so female representation is particularly important, both in terms of female input and so that younger females can aspire to work in the industry too.
What advice would you give those wanting to take a similar career path? While you are in education, spend your time doing the things you actually care about and enjoy, even if you are not sure what specific job it might lead to. Sometimes the pressure to make decisions about your future can lead people to pick subjects that they think will make them employable rather than what they are actually most interested in.
And do not be scared to get into niche areas. For example, if you love skateboarding and Maths you do not necessarily have to choose one or the other. Find ways to bring your interests together. It will make your experience much more unique and interesting.
