SPOTLIGHT ON…

SHARON PITELEN, RECEPTIONIST, CITY ACADEMY NORWICH

Three words to sum up your job?

Diverse, hectic, satisfying.

What is on your wish list for the next five years?

We have come such a long way in a relatively short amount of time here at CAN, that I can only wish that I continue to be involved in our journey. It’s a great feeling for all, knowing we are making a difference to its students, their families and the community as a whole.

What is your favourite line from a film?

“We need a bigger boat”, that classic from Jaws, which is showing my age, shows you just need to think deeper sometimes to solve a problem.

What do you like most about your job?

The best thing about my role is the fact every day throws up something different, daily tasks may be the same, but you never know what the day holds as far as everything else is concerned. The day goes so quickly too!

What are your biggest challenges?

What gets you out of bed in the morning?

I have an early start, usually about 4am. My five dogs get me out, all needing a walk!

How would you describe your job to a child?

I direct all the people to all the right places and answer lots of telephone calls!

What is your biggest achievement to date, personal or professional?

When I joined CAN, it was a very big career change for me, after nearly 30 years in the catering industry, to move to a role I had never experienced before was not only extremely daunting but very much out of my comfort zone. But after a few sleepless nights, it is an achievement I am proud of and a move I have never regretted.

What does a typical day look like and what are you currently working on?

A typical day will depend mostly on how full the diary is – it’s usually pretty full. At the moment I’m trying to put together a comprehensive contacts diary with regards to the professional external bodies we come into contact with here at CAN, which doesn’t sound like a big task, but it’s a case of just grabbing a couple of minutes with this, between calls and visitors…….. it could take me a while!!

Spinning my metaphorical plates is a challenge every day, remembering also if one stops and falls, you get another one straight back up there, and get it moving again.

What is your personal mantra?

“Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.“ I think very possibly this could have been Theodore Roosevelt’s line… but it works for me!