As part of our International Women’s Day activities, ambassadors from The Girls’ Network had the chance to interview inspiring women leaders and hear first-hand about their career journeys and experiences.

In this conversation, Ambassador Isadora speaks with civil servant Katie Crane-Davis, Assistant Chief Valuer at HM Revenue & Customs. Together, they discuss confidence, career paths, and the importance of taking opportunities when they arise.

Isadora’s story shows the impact of mentoring. She joined The Girls’ Network mentoring programme while at secondary school, at a time when she was still learning English and lacked confidence. With support from her mentor, she built her language skills, social confidence, and belief in herself.

Now a final-year Business Management student at the University of Greenwich, Isadora balances her studies with a part-time role as a management trainee at Enterprise Mobility. She previously worked in hospitality, so moving into a corporate environment has given her new opportunities to develop professional skills. She discovered this opportunity thanks to the partnership between The Girls’ Network and Enterprise Mobility, highlighting how being part of our community can open doors young people may not even know exist.

Isadora reflected on what she gained from mentoring:

Mentoring helped me build confidence and improve my English. Support networks can open doors to new opportunities, and balancing work and university has helped me gain valuable experience.

Katie Crane-Davis also shared her career journey. She didn’t always know what she wanted to do and started out studying science at school. She later chose a property-related degree and built a career across both the private and public sectors. Today, she works in the Civil Service and has recently taken on a new leadership role as Assistant Chief Valuer.

Katie spoke openly about learning from mistakes, including taking on too much when she first became a programme manager. By reassessing priorities and asking for support, she learned the importance of managing time, delegating tasks, and building strong professional relationships.

Her advice for young people planning their futures is simple:

Don’t wait until you feel completely ready, take opportunities when they appear. Prioritise genuine relationships and build meaningful connections to create a strong support network. Remember that your career matters, but so does your wellbeing and personal life.

International Women’s Day reminds us that success doesn’t have just one path. Whether you choose university, an apprenticeship, or another route, what matters most is believing in yourself, staying curious, and being open to new opportunities. A huge thanks to Isadora and Katie for taking part in this thoughtful conversation.

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Learn more about career routes at the Valuation Office Agency

The link above provides details about working at the Valuation Office Agency, including the benefits on offer, the range of job opportunities available and the various career pathways such as the graduate programme and surveying apprenticeships. There is information about both the Level 3 and Level 6 apprenticeship routes, including entry requirements and the qualifications that can be gained upon completion.

Watch our workshop about other careers in the Civil Service

Our workshop on the civil service gave ambassadors insight into the variety of entry points and roles available.