My time at Reigate College was incredibly rewarding and played a big part in shaping both my confidence and career direction. The subjects I studied gave me a well-rounded understanding of communication, critical thinking and how the world around us operates.

Outside the classroom, I enjoyed taking part in Reading Club and representing the Politics department during Open Evenings, which allowed me to share my enthusiasm for the subject and connect with prospective students.

College provided a genuinely supportive and encouraging environment. I always felt that my course staff teachers wanted every student to succeed. The confidence and independence I developed there helped me feel well prepared for life after college, especially as I began exploring apprenticeship opportunities and the first steps of my career.

After leaving College, I began my career journey through an apprenticeship in recruitment, where I was able to gain hands-on experience and quickly discovered my passion for connecting people with opportunities. Starting out in recruitment taught me a lot about communication, resilience and understanding what truly motivates candidates in their career journeys.

One of the highlights of my career so far has been developing my own resourcing process during my apprenticeship, which was later adopted company-wide. It was a challenging project that really pushed me, but I’m proud of its long-lasting impact on the business.

I’m currently working as a Delivery Consultant at Found Food & Drink, a recruitment partner to the food and drink industry. My role focuses on supporting candidates at the start of their career journey, helping them identify roles that match their skills and aspirations and guiding them through the recruitment process and preparing for success.

What I enjoy most about my role is the human side of recruitment, building genuine relationships, supporting people in their next career steps and seeing them grow in confidence. Looking ahead, I’m keen to continue developing my career within people-focused roles, whether in recruitment, HR, or broader talent development.

I’ve developed a strong candidate network across the sector and am proud to be recognised for my honest, people-focused approach. Seeing candidates grow in confidence and take the next step in their careers is one of the most rewarding parts of my work.

I wish I’d known that it’s completely okay not to have everything figured out when you leave college. Opportunities often come from unexpected places, and you learn so much just by getting started and saying yes to new experiences. The important thing is to stay open-minded and do the best you possibly can.

If you’re thinking about a career in recruitment, communication and people skills are everything. Be curious and remember that no matter who you are speaking to, they are just a person. Recruitment is fast-paced and rewarding because you get to make a real impact on people’s careers. And an apprenticeship is a great way to get hands-on experience early, giving you the opportunity to learn and build relationships.

Caitlin Payne
Reigate College: 2021-2023
Higher education: Level 3 Business Administration Apprenticeship, Chichester College
Currently: Delivery Consultant, Found Food & Drink