At St Michael’s Catholic Academy in Billingham, we love celebrating the achievements of our former students - and    Chloe’s story is a brilliant example of where curiosity, hard work, and an open mind can lead.

 Chloe left St Michael’s in 2015 and began her next chapter at Bede College, choosing A-levels in Maths, Biology,   Business Studies, and an AS in Chemistry. Like many students, she originally thought she knew the career path she   wanted - nursing. But college opened new doors, and discovering Business Studies sparked a passion she had never   expected.

 Discovering a Passion for Business

 Realising she enjoyed the world of business, Chloe went on to study Business Management at Northumbria University.  This course offered a broad overview of finance, marketing, supply chain, and Human Resources - perfect for someone still  exploring their strengths and interests.

 One of the standout moments of her degree was a placement year at Unilever, the global company behind household  names like Dove, Lynx, Ben & Jerry’s, and Marmite. Chloe joined the Sales Department, gaining hands-on experience  meeting customers and planning in-store promotions for retailers such as Co-op and NISA. This real-world insight helped  her understand how major brands operate behind the scenes and made her final year at university even more meaningful.

 A Career with Some of the World’s Biggest Brands

 After graduating, Chloe took a leap and moved to London to join the Kraft Heinz Graduate Scheme—an exciting  opportunity that allowed her to work across different departments within the company. Today, she is thriving as a Category  Development Manager for Sauces, collaborating with supermarkets like Asda and Aldi to help grow and improve their  sauce ranges.

 

One of the things she loves most? Seeing her ideas come to life on the shelves and working with products she uses in her own kitchen. It’s a career that blends creativity, strategy, and real impact.

Chloe’s Advice for Today’s Students

Chloe’s journey is a reminder that it’s okay not to have everything figured out at once. Her message to current students at St Michael’s Catholic Academy in Billingham is simple but powerful:

  • Keep an open mind - you might discover a passion in an unexpected subject.
  • Explore different pathways - university, apprenticeships, and work experience can all shape your future.
  • Gain experience whenever you can - work placements help build confidence and stand out to future employers.

Her story shows that taking opportunities and staying curious can lead to exciting and rewarding careers.

Want to See More Success Stories?

Take a look at our most recent career updates in the newsletter: https://files.schudio.com/st-michael-s-catholic-academy-3/files/documents/Careers_Newsletter_HT2.pdf