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Laura on finance, burlesque, and why fun and feeling welcome matter most.
Hi, I’m Laura, a proud Leither and the Assistant Accountant here at Heriot-Watt Student Union. Being a local, I’ve always loved the diversity of this city, from the amazing food spots to the strong sense of community, which is a big part of why I’m still here.
I joined the Union team in February, and while I’m still relatively new, I’ve already found my rhythm (and my spreadsheet happy place). My role covers everything from processing expenses and managing bank statements to helping with audits and tidying things up for year-end. Why do I love it? I’m a spreadsheet-kind-of-girl, and there’s something peaceful about getting everything to balance. I find it fulfilling when I can spot and fix something that is not right, going back to square 1, retracing my steps and ultimately, fixing the issue.
Before this, I was in a similar role elsewhere, but something was missing. I didn’t just want a job. I wanted to feel like I belonged. I found this role through an agency, and from the moment I stepped into the building, I knew this was it. The vibe was right, the people were lovely (spoiler: they still are!), and the job just clicked. Feedback is constructive, growth is encouraged, and quirks are celebrated.
One project I’m proud of is helping to digitise our processes. Getting invoices and statements online is a step forward to streamline our processes. It helps us work smarter and focus more on what matters – supporting our students. Plus, here no two days are the same. A few weeks in, I was helping out with SHAG Week, definitely not on my 2025 bingo card! But it was brilliant fun and reminded me how important it is to bring humour and heart into what we do.
Outside work, I’m a proud cat mum, a voracious reader (Pride and Prejudice is my all-time favourite), and a cosy gamer (hello, Animal Crossing!) Add cross-stitching and Comicons to the mix, and you’ve got the full nerd starter pack.
The Union value I resonate with most? Fun. It makes everything better. And here’s a fun fact you might not guess from my spreadsheets: I performed burlesque at the Edinburgh Fringe for four years. How cool is that?
Ways to get in touch with me...