Inspiration in Education nominee – Annie Thompson

Inspiration in Education nominee – Annie Thompson

Annie Thompson was the first person in her family to go to university – and now she uses her experiences from that time to ensure the university students she works with have the careers support and knowledge she didn’t receive herself.

The 28-year-old is a Career Liaison Officer in the seven-strong Career Readiness team at University of Staffordshire. She is part of a careers group that recently won at the What Uni Students Choice Awards 2025 – where students voted freely about their experiences of careers and placed Annie’s team in the top three universities in the UK for career prospects.

Annie designs and delivers impactful employability programmes that upskill, inspire and prepare students for the world of work. She tries to ensure every student has the skills, experiences and confidence to thrive after graduation and beyond.

Her remit includes computing, esports, games, business, innovation and engineering. Annie is a link between academia and careers and is known for offering a personalised careers service based on the knowledge that all student pathways are different.

Starting as a Careers Coach at University of Staffordshire in 2019, Annie also runs the University’s cheerleading team and also holds employability sessions with the team’s members too.

Annie said: “I try to offer a careers service that is personable and one that I would want for myself as a student. I am looking to develop careers into all curriculum areas. I really enjoy doing what I do.

“It’s so important to support and shape students’ career development and employability. A big part of my role is designing and delivering career-focused activities, advising academic teams on embedding employability and fostering relationships to secure placements and career opportunities.”

Annie Thompson has been nominated in the Inspiration in Education category of the Your Heroes Awards 2025.