Our Alumna of the Month for May is Codie Barnes. Codie left William Howard School in 2015 after completing Year 11. During her time at school, Codie’s favourite subjects were Textiles and Maths – she loved combining creativity with problem-solving. She was also a familiar face in extra-curricular sports, which she always looked forward to and enjoyed being part of.
After school, Codie knew that full-time study wasn’t the path for her. With support from Mrs Hill, she applied for and secured a role as an Accounts Assistant at a company near Carlisle. While working, she studied towards her AAT accountancy qualifications and initially planned to become an accountant. However, a chance opportunity in Human Resources (HR) changed the direction of her career. Codie found that she really enjoyed working with people, solving workplace challenges, and making a difference. This led her to switch pathways and build a career in HR. Her journey has also taken her across the UK and into Europe, with travel opportunities being one of the highlights of her early career.
Codie credits several school subjects for helping her develop essential skills:
- Maths for data handling and problem-solving
- IT for using HR systems and spreadsheets
- English for clear communication, especially during sensitive conversations and presentations
Codie has continued to learn while working, gaining CIPD Level 3 and Level 5 qualifications in HR, and in 2022, she completed a master’s degree in Human Resource Management, fully funded by her employer.
Now, Codie is a HR Business Partner at Nuclear Waste Services. Her role focuses on supporting managers, resolving issues in the workplace, and helping shape future team structures. She loves the variety of her role and the positive impact she can have on others.
Codie’s advice to current students: “You don’t need to have it all figured out when you’re at school. Find what drives you, stay open to change, and give everything you do your best shot!”
