Eyewitness to History

“It was extraordinary being on the balcony of the Hay Adams Hotel, looking out over the crowds to the White House and realising that this was history in the making,” says Katie who runs her own Professional Services Consultancy.

She was invited to the ceremony which saw Donald Trump appointed as the 47th president of the United States by one of her clients, Automated Analytics, which is a leading global AI firm.

Katie adds: “The atmosphere was electric. It felt optimistic, and there was certainly a buzz about the place. It was a brilliant experience to be a part of."

Trump’s incredible comeback took many commentators by surprise, but Katie said that the mood in Washington was very upbeat: “The people I spoke to felt change was needed and that he is the man to bring about that change. To many Americans he is a trusted pair of hands, who will get the job done.” 

It’s not the first time Katie has had a front row seat on key world events. “I also work as a freelance for CBS News, so I have helped them cover two royal weddings as well as the Queen’s funeral and more recently the King’s coronation. It is always a great honour. You never get over the thrill of being present at these momentous occasions.”

Katie Blake returned to LEH last week to talk to Lower Sixth pupils as part of National Careers Week. She told them: “I’m passionate about helping young people realise you don’t always have to follow a conventional career path.” She went on to outline the twists and turns of her own employment story, starting with work experience with her parents and ending as a freelance consultant able to pick and chose the projects that interest her.

She warned current students not to expect opportunity to come knocking: "No one is going to do it for you," she said. "You have to sieze the inititiave and have the gumption to make things happen. It's really important to have a positive outlook. What is going to make you employable is your outlook on life and your attitude to work. That will be the defining factor for the rest of your life."