Angela Wood

Recalling the early years of Teesside University

What your first job at Teesside University and what you do now?

I started at Teesside in 1992, and my first job was as a Finance Assistant in the Finance Department. I'm now a Volunteering and Work Experience Officer, Student and Library Services.

Were you a student at Teesside Polytechnic before you became an employee? If so, what course did you study?

Yes, I started my HNC Business and Finance at Teesside Polytechnic and graduated from Teesside University two years later in 1992.

Why did you want to work at Teesside University?

I did an Access course at the Teesside Polytechnic and liked the atmosphere of the place. I then saw the job in Finance which was relevant to my HNC, so I applied and was successful. The rest is history!

What was the University like in 1992, and how has it changed over the past 30 years?

It was a bit old fashioned and tired looking, and there weren't as many students then.

We didn't have much in the way of technology either. There was a main typing pool in the Constantine Building and all the offices had typewriters and some computers. There was a computer centre with massive computers on the first floor of Middlesbrough Tower. Outlook wasn't even a thing back then, so memos were typed and sent through the internal post.

People could smoke at their desks and there was even a smoking room on the first floor of the Clarendon - there was a massive fog of smoke every time you went in the building.

There were prefabricated buildings in what is now the Middlesbrough Tower Car Park, and we used to have a site at Flatts Lane too with a small library.

It was a very friendly place with half the number of staff so everyone knew everyone.

What's your fondest memory of your time at Teesside University so far?

Winning University of the Year was a great time, and I have many fond memories of all the friends I've made at the University over the years.

I especially remember one year shortly after we became a University, when our prospectus cover was an autostereogram (magic eye) of the Tangram logo. We couldn't keep hold of prospectuses at events that year - everyone wanted one. It was a good year, which helped to raise the profile of the University massively, which was great.

What do you think you would you be doing now if you hadn't joined Teesside University in 1992?

I might have pursued my career in Accounting, but who knows? That was my original plan but working in Finance showed me I didn't want to go down that path. The University presented me with lots of other opportunities that I would never have considered.

What advice would you give to your younger self about working at Teesside University today?

Don't hesitate to apply for a job at Teesside University - it's a great place to work. I wouldn't change anything about my career and time at the University.

What's the best thing about working at Teesside University?

Being part of the University community and seeing students grow and progress at Teesside and then succeed in their working lives. Also, all the life-long friends I've made along the way.

What makes you proud to be a member of Team Teesside today?

I'm proud to make a difference to the students I work with, by helping them progress and grow. It's very satisfying to see the end result.

Is there anything else you'd like to add?

The majority of my working adult life has been spent at Teesside, and I've seen it change over the years. It's unrecognisable to the place I first started working at in 1992.

The developments, vision and ambition of the University are brilliant and investing in new buildings, improving facilities is great for our students.

I am proud to been able to spread the word about Teesside University across the UK in my time working in Student Recruitment and Marketing. It's an excellent place to study at and a great part of the country too. Teesside is stamped though me, like a stick of rock!