30 Apr 2026
From misbehaving at school to leadership success, Lauren Murkin, head of business development at Oaklands College, is proof that your education experience does not define your future.
Describing herself as a student who struggled to engage and was certainly not leadership material in the eyes of many, Lauren’s journey into senior leadership began not with perfect grades, but with one opportunity — and someone who believed in her.
While at college, a tutor recognised her potential and secured her a work experience placement within the college itself. What began as a short placement quickly turned into a full-time role and laid the foundation for her career, eventually leading her to complete a Level 4 sales executive apprenticeship.
Lauren explained: “That one opportunity changed everything. It gave me a doorway into the professional world and helped me start believing I was capable of more.
“School was never a place where I thrived. It was more about my behaviour than struggling with learning as I was often bored, so I wasn’t the easiest student.
“But when I went to college, I saw a massive difference. They treated you like an adult. It wasn’t like you were shouted at if you wanted to go to the toilet. So for me it was just a complete change. If I hadn’t gone to college, I wouldn’t be where I am now, because I definitely wasn’t going to say at school and do my A-levels.”
Knowing university was not the right path for her, Lauren chose to pursue a more practical route. Years later, working within the apprenticeship sector, she recognised that structured, hands-on learning suited her far better.
For Lauren, an apprenticeship offered a different option from the rigid routine of an traditional academic pathway, especially as a lot of it was based around on-the-job training.
“One of the reasons I did the Level 4 sales apprenticeship is because we were selling this product into organisations, and my director at the time suggested I complete it so I could speak from real-world experience.
“The apprenticeship reshaped how I see sales and leadership. It taught me that modern business development is about trust, understanding real challenges and building long-term partnerships. More than anything, it reinforced that you’re never done learning. Even with experience behind you, growth only happens when you push yourself.”
Lauren’s biggest challenge, she says, was overcoming the identity she carried from school – the self-doubt and the belief that she was not “leadership material.” There were moments early in her career when she felt out of her depth, but by committing to her development and surrounding herself with people who believed in her, she gradually stepped into leadership behaviours.
A key influence throughout her journey has been her mentor, Claire Dolan, Oaklands’ deputy principal for strategy, partnership, business development and Wolves Academies, who invested time and trust in her from the very beginning:
“From day one, I saw determination in Lauren,” said Claire. “She may not have fitted the traditional academic mould, but she had resilience, emotional intelligence and a real hunger to grow. Leadership isn’t about where you start — it’s about how willing you are to develop. Lauren embraced every opportunity to learn, and that’s why she’s where she is today.”
Over more than a decade in business development, Lauren has supported organisations to design meaningful training solutions and address skills challenges. In her current role at Oaklands College, she now leads employer engagement, strategic partnerships, apprenticeships, skills and sponsorship – creating opportunities for both businesses and learners to thrive.
Reflecting on her journey, Lauren says her proudest moment is recognising how far she has come.
“Becoming head of business development is a huge milestone, but what means the most is knowing I turned my life around. If you’d told the girl I was at school that she’d one day lead partnerships and influence strategy, she wouldn’t have believed you.”
Lauren hopes her story will encourage others who feel disengaged from traditional education pathways.
“Your school experience does not define your future,” she said. “You don’t need perfect grades to build an incredible career. You need the right opportunity and the willingness to take it seriously. Apprenticeships give people the chance to learn by doing, to build confidence and to grow at their own pace. If I can turn things around, so can you.”
