Isabel’s Bath journey started with a love of Spanish and a desire to study business at an international level. Bath’s International Management and Modern Languages (IMML) course was the perfect fit.
Her year abroad took her from Buenos Aires to Santiago, where she studied, worked and travelled across South America at just 20.
Now a Client Partner at Deliveroo, Isabel blends her passion for hospitality and people in a fast-paced tech environment – and still finds time to mentor young women and lead global wellbeing initiatives at work.
Why did you choose to study at Bath?
I chose Bath because I wanted to do a Business and Spanish degree with a 50/50 split across the subjects. As soon as I read the description for IMML with Spanish (I was in year 11 and reading my sister’s university leaflets), I knew it sounded like the perfect fit. The excellent year abroad/in industry options in Spain and South America were a real selling point.
Did you have a particular career in mind when you chose your course?
I knew I wanted to work for an international business, but wasn’t sure exactly what that meant. Throughout school, I worked in hospitality roles and knew I loved the F&B (Food and Beverages) industry but didn’t know I’d be able to link the two!
Can you tell us about your experience of studying here? Any favourite memories, or places to go on campus and in the city?
The four years I spent at Bath were the best of my life so far. Being able to live within walking distance of all my friends was incredible. My favourite memories in Bath include the Summer Ball with drinks at the Crescent, the annual ski trips, nights out in Monday Night Bridge or Origins at Komedia, and level four of the library, spending late nights revising and finishing essays together. Friendships were formed for life!
I also spent a year abroad in South America as part of my degree – I spent six months studying in Buenos Aires and six months working for a trade consultancy in Santiago. We made the most of every weekend and travelled around both countries, as well as to Brazil, Peru and Bolivia. I still can’t believe I did all this at 20. I learnt so much about myself while having the best time.
Were you a part of any societies or sports clubs during your time at Bath? What did you enjoy most about them?
I tried both hockey and lacrosse, as well as joining the Snowsports Society for the annual ski trip. I remember doing an Economics Society surprise trip where we got on a bus from campus for a night out, but didn’t know where we were heading (it was Cardiff!).
I was a Campus Ambassador, Freshers Rep and a Senior Caller for the Alumni Fund for three years. Trying a bit of everything let me meet so many different people and the Telethon role was great; working in a call centre on campus with a group of fellow students and calling alumni to hear about their time at Bath and careers was really interesting.
Describe your career journey since graduating. What is a typical day like in your current role?
When I was in Chile, I made friends with a graduate who was working for AB InBev (the world’s biggest brewer) who asked if I’d be interested in being their Bath ‘campus scout’ in my final year. After watching the grad scheme’s introductory video, I decided I also wanted to apply for their Market Visionaries Programme. After seven rounds of applications, I began my career in beer, selling brands like Budweiser, Stella Artois and Corona to pubs, clubs and restaurants. I was there for nearly five years in a variety of sales roles.
I then moved over to Deliveroo, where I am now a Client Partner, managing commercial relationships with restaurants in London. I manage a team of account managers who own the relationships with our top partners in the city. The beauty of my role is that every day is different; from shadowing and coaching my team, to attending meetings with restaurants to negotiate contracts. I get to work with our Marketing and Operations teams to plan out activities and even host VIP events for our top partners. Deliveroo is very entrepreneurial, and the opportunity to learn something new every day continues, even after three years!
What do you enjoy most about your career? Has anything surprised you?
I love working with people and brands. I didn’t realise that my passion for connecting with people and the hospitality industry could translate into work, and being able to balance my professional ambitions with my passions outside of work has made my career very fun. I love working with iconic brands, seeing them in the real world and hearing how my friends and family interact with them.
I’ve been surprised at ending up at a tech company. I didn’t think I had the relevant experience, but I’ve learnt that skills are transferable and joining a new industry is an exciting opportunity to learn. I’m glad I didn’t pigeonhole myself into one specific field.
I am hugely passionate about supporting the people around me at work, so I have always taken on ‘extra-curricular’ work. I’m currently the Global Co-Lead of our Wellbeing Network and a mentor to three young women in the business.
How did your studies help to develop you, professionally and/or personally?
My time at Bath helped me grow in confidence, taught me the foundations of business and opened my mind to international business and different perspectives. My year abroad in South America pushed me out of my comfort zone, moving to the other side of the world and speaking Spanish at University and work.
The network I have built from the incredibly smart, impressive and fun people I met at Bath and my year abroad has been priceless.
What advice would you give to prospective students thinking about studying your course at Bath?
Try a bit of everything when it comes to choosing your modules; it’s great to have a foundation in lots of different disciplines and you never know what might interest you the most.
Take advantage of the incredible connections Bath has to offer for your year abroad and graduate schemes; it is truly the best in class and helps set you up for success.
Get involved in all that university life has to offer because it flies by, and if you’re anything like me, it will be the best years of your life!
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