Name
Kathryn Denton Powell

Title of job
Senior Sales Co-ordinator for Smoby. Currently based in Bristol.

Languages studied for A level
French, English, Art

Languages studied at University
French & Italian

University
Cardiff

Best thing about studying languages
Learning all about the cultures of the two languages and being able to spend a year abroad.

Where did you spend your year out?
Salerno in Italy and Chambéry in France

Current job title:
Senior Sales Co-ordinator

Do you think that the fact that you studied languages helped you to obtain this post?
Yes - I needed to speak fluent French to get the job

Could you tell us more about the nature of the job outlining main tasks and responsibilities?
Basically dealing with retailers in the UK who sell our toys and passing on all their needs and requests to the head office and factories in France

Do you use your languages frequently? If so, in which situations?
Most days to communicate with the head office and factories in France and Spain.

What other jobs have you done since leaving university?
I have also worked for 18 months for a video conferencing company - I also used my languages frequently to deal with customers who had offices abroad.

What is the best thing about learning another language in your opinion?
It gives you opportunities to work with people from other countries more easily and to even work abroad if you wanted to - and it makes travelling easier too.

What would you say to those who are reluctant to carry on with their languages?
Even if it is not your main subject, having a language is always a really good extra skill to have and could widen your opportunities