Mind the Numbers
Psychologist turned accountant Cherry Storr has worked in Government departments including the Ministry of Defence and HMRC. She pursued the scientific study of the human mind through undergraduate and postgraduate degrees before switching to financial management.
A graduate scheme at the MoD offered the opportunity to learn on the job, managing vast defence equipment and support accounts while gaining professional qualifications. She has since moved to HMRC, where she has progressed and taken on managerial responsibilities.
Cherry said: “I was always interested in analysing data and the numerical aspects of my degree when I was studying psychology at Staffordshire University. It was a subject that always interested me. When the recession hit, I started looking at graduate schemes, and landed a place on an accounting scheme with the MoD, pursuing that same interest in numbers and data.”
Graduate Schemes
Cherry grew up in Lincolnshire and studied psychology, maths, chemistry and German at A Level. She chose to pursue psychology at Staffordshire University after gaining a place through Clearing in 2005.
“When I first visited the campus, I felt like I had made the right choice,” she recalled. “Staffordshire University felt like a really good place to study. It seemed very friendly, the lecturers were great and the course was interesting. There were aspects of the course that really inspired me.”
Alongside studying, Cherry worked as a Student Ambassador during her second and third years, giving campus tours and giving talks to young learners from visiting schools.
“Working as an Ambassador helped me a lot in many different ways,” she said. “It helped build my communication and presenting skills and it gave me something interesting to talk about at job interviews. It was probably the best job I’ve ever had.”
After graduating in 2008, Cherry got a bursary to continue studying psychology at Masters level at Birmingham University. She said: “I was planning on staying on, continuing onto a PhD maybe, but it was around then that the recession hit and I decided I needed to get a stable job.
“I went to many graduate scheme interviews and they were really challenging but, eventually, I got the one at the MoD. I was there for three years and I could’ve stayed but I was based in Bristol and I wanted to move closer to home in the Midlands, where my family lived. So, in 2012, I took a position as a qualified management accountant at HMRC in Nottingham.”
FutureFest 2017
Cherry has now worked at HMRC for over five years and has continued gaining more responsibility. She said: “I’m now delegating work and taking on more managerial responsibilities. I’m really enjoying it and hope to progress into a managerial position in future.”
She will be inspiring Staffordshire University students with her personal career progression at FutureFest, which takes place from 13-17 November 2017. The annual event at the University connects employers and students through a range of job fairs, seminars, networking events and workshops.
“University was always something I wanted to do but I didn’t really know anything about it as I was the first in my family to go into higher education,” she explained. “My time at Staffordshire University really exceeded my expectations. It gave me the opportunities to develop and progress and I’m really looking forward to coming back and talking to current students at FutureFest.”
Profile correct as of October 2017
Alumni Connected Community
Connect with your classmates, receive career support, mentor future alumni, update your details, expand your professional network, create your own groups, share events and so much more. Or just keep in touch with us and let us know what you are up to.