“I dismissed the role because I wasn’t from FE”: Jess Melling on moving into further education
When Jess Melling first saw the Director of Governance role at Barnsley College, she dismissed it. She hadn’t worked in further education before and assumed that meant she wasn’t the right candidate, before a conversation with Dan from Peridot changed her mind.
Six months into the role, Jess has stepped up to director level, brought governance experience from outside the sector and is already contributing ideas about how the College’s governance could develop.
We spoke to Jess about making the move into FE, what she’s learned since joining Barnsley College and why candidates shouldn’t be too quick to rule themselves out of opportunities in a new sector.
Looking back, what made this role the right move for you at this point in your career?
This role felt like the right move because it had the potential to give me the opportunity to focus my governance experience in a more narrow area of specialism, while also challenging myself in a new and highly regulated sector. That was exactly what I was looking for at this stage in my career: the chance to keep learning, broaden my knowledge base and apply my existing skills in a different environment.
It also provided the important opportunity to step up into a director-level role and prove to myself that I could operate successfully at this level. I have been able to draw on my previous experience, while continuing to develop and grow through the specific challenges and opportunities that come with working in FE.
You moved to Barnsley College from outside FE. How have your skills and experience translated into the role?
I feel that one of the key ways I have been able to add value is by bringing a fresh perspective and being willing to ask why things are done in a particular way. Coming from outside of FE has enabled me to look at established approaches with independence and curiosity, while also recognising and respecting the sector-specific context.
I feel I have been able to contribute new thinking and support the development of stronger governance structures. For example, this has included proposing the introduction of a Senior Independent Governor role and moving away from the previous two Vice-Chair model. That external perspective has helped bring independent insight to our discussions and supported a more considered approach to governance development.
What has also stood out as a really positive factor is that governance is not treated as a tick-box exercise at the College. There is a genuine ambition to excel and to ensure that our governance arrangements are as effective as they can be. As I continue, I will continue to learn and develop my understanding of FE, as well as applying my knowledge of governance best practice from outside of the sector to drive the highest standards of governance at the College.
What has surprised you most about the College and its governance?
One of the most positive surprises has been joining Board meetings and seeing first-hand how cohesive and effective the Board is as a group, especially as a Board with 18 members. There is a strong balance of skills and experience, and any challenge, difference of opinion or constructive debate is managed very effectively. It is evident that this is achieved through excellent chairing, but also the development of a positive and mature Board culture.
In addition, I have really valued the way my own ideas have been listened to and considered. There is a clear respect for the governance professional role within the College, and that gives me real confidence and excitement about what we can continue to achieve.
How has the role helped you grow professionally so far?
This role has helped me grow by giving me the opportunity to learn the FE sector while applying my existing governance experience in a new context. I was thrown in at the deep end to some extent, and the learning curve was steep, but that has also made the experience really valuable, and actually I prefer to learn by getting stuck straight in. I have been able to get involved quickly, understand what needed to be done and start contributing from the outset.
I have also benefited from access to wider sector networks, which has helped me learn quickly through the experience, knowledge and resources shared by peers across FE. Alongside that, I have been supported to continue my own professional development through the CGI programme, which is helping to strengthen and enhance my governance knowledge further.
Professionally, this role has also been an important step up for me into a director-level position. It has given me the chance to work more closely with strategic leaders, listen to people with significant experience across different settings and continue developing my own confidence at this level. Personally, I see it as an opportunity to test myself, to prove that I can operate effectively in this kind of role, and I am genuinely enjoying that challenge.
What advice would you give someone considering a move into FE?
I would say, don’t be afraid to put yourself forward for the role. When I first saw this role advertised, I dismissed it because I was not from the FE sector and did not have that specific area of experience. However, having the conversation with Dan helped me recognise that the skills, knowledge and perspective I had built in other sectors were transferable and valuable.
My advice would be not to rule yourself out too early. Speak to the recruiter, ask questions and take the opportunity to explore what the role could offer. It may sound simple, but unless you take that first step, you will never really know what might be possible. I hadn’t held a Director position before, and I didn’t have FE experience, but that didn’t mean I had nothing to offer.
Taking that chance has given me a brilliant opportunity to learn, develop and make a meaningful impact in a role that I am loving.
Dan Baxter is our Principal Consultant, Further Education Appointments. With his extensive experience working across the education sector with organisations that champion those who need support, Dan has been brilliantly supporting our clients to inspire the next generation ever since.
