As part of our Creative and Cultural Careers 2025 Festival, we asked Nat Cartier, a University of Edinburgh alumnus and Assistant Consultant at Quantum Acoustics, to share his career journey with us. Read on to find out what his top job-hunting tips are for graduates who are just starting out in the creative industry, and get inspired!
My background
Moving to London to pursue my dream meant I needed a job to sustain myself, pay rent and keep going until my dream could take over. After two months of intense and dedicated effort, I secured the best possible job for my profile. My Acoustics and Music Technology (BSc) degree is quite niche, and instead of waiting for job listings to find me, I called up local acoustic consultancy firms in London to ask if they were open to hiring fresh graduates. They gave me an interview the same week, which is always a great sign!
I now work as an Assistant Consultant at Quantum Acoustics. I set up equipment on London rooftops, process data and help write reports. A typical week involves going on site visits, managing equipment, analysing data in Excel, writing reports, posting social media content and spending time in person with my colleagues at the office.
The advantage of smaller companies and start-ups is that they are flexible and open to hearing proactive ideas — in contrast to larger corporations — which I really enjoy. But don’t worry — I still have my eyes on my dream! I’m working on my superstar career every single day and getting lots of gigs and opportunities on the side wherever I can.
My top tips for job hunting
Tip 1: Call people!
Calling directly is a massive advantage. Just do it. Emails can be ignored and applications can get lost in a sea of candidates — but a real conversation makes you stand out.
Tip 2: Be upfront about being a graduate
Being clear about your experience saves everyone time. Some companies are looking for experienced hires — be honest if you’re just starting out. Move on swiftly if you’re not what they’re looking for.
Tip 3: Skip the endless online forms
This might sound controversial, but spending hours filling out generic applications is often unproductive — unless (!) someone specifically tells you to apply, or a trusted source recommends it. Instead, find companies that excite you, research them and reach out directly. Startups and smaller companies are often easier to connect with than big corporations.
Tip 4: Don’t give up on your dreams
A job will sustain you, not define you. Everything is part of your journey toward your bigger goals — find financial stability and build on that!
Tip 5: Follow your excitement (a job that works for you)
What’s the most exciting thing you can do right now? Ask yourself this. Use it wisely to guide your choices. Sustaining yourself is essential, but your job shouldn’t drain your happiness. Look for roles and companies that align with your interests, curiosity and vibe.
Tip 6: Make it happen
Never assume someone else will make things happen for you. Take full control of your choices, take responsibility, trust yourself and keep pushing forward.
Tip 7: Work hard!
Achieving your dreams takes effort. Life is tough whether you’re chasing your goals or not — so put in the work for what excites you most!
Studying at the University of Edinburgh taught me that chasing your dreams is in your hands, and it’s up to you to observe, use and react to the world around you. While studying, I also founded the Edinburgh Collective through Edinburgh Innovations, which gave me firsthand experience in collaboration, leadership and creative entrepreneurship — skills that will remain invaluable for the rest of my life.
Tip 8: Be open to love
Allow love to enter your life. True love will help and support you, not limit you.
Go and make your future happen, have fun and enjoy the process!
Good luck out there — I believe in you.
Thank you,
Nat Cartier
You can connect with Nat Cartier on LinkedIn or at www.natcartier.com
Nat talked about the importance of seeking out opportunities and putting yourself out there. To find out how you can do that, visit our Create your own opportunity page.
Nat also pointed out the importance of developing your skills and building experience. Check out our Build Experience section on our website to learn more.
You can find out more about the exciting and varied world of Music on our Careers Service website.
