The pathway
How you actually get there, here
How you become one varies far more by country than what one does. This is the UK route. Most people take one of these ways in; the right one depends on where you're starting from.
- 1
Administrative Assistant / Office Support
1-2 yearsSkills to master
- Organisation, attention to detail, managing multiple tasks, basic data entry, clear communication, and learning new software quickly.
You're ready to move on when
- You've shown a knack for managing complex schedules or data sets.
- You're the person who everyone goes to when they need help with a system.
- You've taken initiative to improve a process in your current role, even a small one.
- 2
Recent Graduate (Business/IT/Maths)
0-1 year (post-graduation)Skills to master
- Applying academic knowledge to real-world business problems, quickly learning corporate systems, teamwork, and professional communication.
You're ready to move on when
- You've completed relevant coursework or projects involving data analysis or business processes.
- You're eager to learn and have a strong academic record.
- You've had internships or part-time roles that involved some level of data handling or administrative support.
- 3
Customer Service Representative
1-3 yearsSkills to master
- Problem-solving under pressure, understanding customer needs, using CRM systems (like Salesforce) to log interactions, and clear communication.
You're ready to move on when
- You're excellent at troubleshooting and finding solutions for customers.
- You're already proficient in navigating and updating records in a CRM system.
- You've developed strong organisational skills to manage customer queries and follow-ups.