“A lot of things I’ve done are down to luck,” Old Cranbrookian Olivia admits regarding her experiences within the journalism industry. “I always wanted to be a writer. I got work experience placements at national papers through other people’s parents, who were successful journalists.” She is refreshingly aware that her entrance into the industry was aided by fortunate connections and the privilege of a good education. However, she equally stresses the importance of “grabbing the bull by the horns,” as she describes her approach to taking the opportunities presented to her. “I felt bad about that at the time, like I hadn’t deserved it,” she admits. “But honestly? You can’t change the system. Anyone would take the opportunity in your position.” Moreover, Olivia comments that whilst the opportunities she accessed undeniably augmented her career, good fortune is not everything; “What I’ve realised is: once your foot is in the door, you do have to be good to stay.”

Olivia finished her A-levels in 2018, leaving Cranbrook for Queens’ College, Cambridge. Now an editor and journalist for the Daily Mail, her career proves that success is not merely down to luck. She reflects “I got rejected from about eight jobs, and for some of these I’d done three rounds of interviews. It reminded me that a lot of my current jobs were down to luck.”

She does not, however, frame rejection in a negative light. “I’ve had a lot of failures in my career, but they’ve ended me up in a good place.” Failures have not only guided Olivia’s path: they have shaped her as a person. “I definitely used to take criticism incredibly personally, because I used to value myself entirely on how academically successful I was.” In an environment pressurised by time and performance, she believes it is important to remember that criticisms are not personal. “Always believe that you are good enough,” she reiterates, “because you probably are- otherwise, they wouldn’t have found you.”

Discussing barriers to the industry, Olivia acknowledges her position in a male-dominated field. However, she reflects “Women’s journalism is respected because it’s a massive money-spinner. Even if they don’t understand it, even if they think it’s petty and pointless, it is still respected.” It is a strange parallel, she adds; even if her work is looked down on, it is noticed nonetheless. “Our voices, quite contradictorily, are heard.”

From fashion houses to national newsrooms, Olivia’s experiences have reinforced her convictions that a sense of belonging is created by not where you come from, but rather how you show up. “Don’t fall victim to impostor syndrome. Hold on to the opportunities that have been given to you,” she urges students. Speaking on her experiences of both education and the workplace, she believes this applies especially to girls. “I think a lot of girls don’t recognise the fact that they are good enough to be where they are. Boys always think they’re good enough, sometimes too good.”

Reflecting on her experiences at Cranbrook and afterward, her path reinforces a simple truth: you have to believe you deserve your place, even without being told directly.