Our featured Alumnus of the Month is Josh Burge. Josh’s journey since leaving William Howard School in 2014 is a remarkable example of how early interests can evolve into a fulfilling career. His introduction to Human Resources (HR) came through his A Level Business Studies class with Mrs Hill, which sparked his passion for the field. Alongside Business Studies, Josh also enjoyed English, Geography, Maths, and Psychology, and he holds fond memories of activities like the Year 7-8 discos, charity fundraising, and participating in the Young Enterprise scheme, where he and others sold printed products in Carlisle City Centre.
After Sixth Form, Josh went on to Newcastle University, where he studied BSc Politics and Sociology. He further pursued his passion for HR by completing a master’s degree in Global Human Resource Management at the university’s Business School, which included CIPD associate accreditation at level 7.
Josh now works as a People Relations Manager at Auto Trader, leading a team of HR advisors within the People Relations (Employee Relations) team. In this role, he balances the company’s strategic goals with fairness and ethical considerations, striving to create positive outcomes for both the business and its people. His role also allows him to coach and train others, with a strong passion for supporting staff’s mental health and neurodiversity. Josh recently spoke about this subject at a conference in Manchester, addressing an audience of 300 people, highlighting the importance of providing employees with the tools they need to succeed.
Josh finds fulfilment in his job because he feels he can influence and make a difference. However, he emphasises the importance of resilience in the corporate world.
His message to current students is: “If you’re considering working in HR or management, or any other career in the corporate world, ensure you work for a company whose values align with your own. Making tough decisions can often be part of the job, but feeling confident that you are making the right choices will bring long-term fulfilment in the long run.”
