Amy Watton

Meet the NB Team: Kylie Wood

June 12, 2019

Meet Kylie

Kylie returned to Shetland in 2018, after travelling and living overseas since 2014. She started her trip backpacking around Asia, Australia and the Pacific Islands before settling in New Zealand for two years. Working in the financial sector for two of the largest banking organisations in Australasia, ANZ and ASB, Kylie worked in a professional role where her problem solving, communication and management skills were challenged and developed.

With the desire to experience and learn about different cultures, Kylie then moved to Xiamen in China to teach for a year in an International bilingual Primary School. Kylie enjoyed the teaching experience, and developed many leadership skills while encouraging positive, inclusive learning. She learned much about Chinese culture (and a little Mandarin) while adapting to living in such a vibrant, busy country. She decided to move home to Shetland in April 2018 after an exhilarating 4 years away.

In her role as project manager, Kylie enjoys working with clients to ensure a timely project that is beneficial to the client’s needs and desires online. During the important strategy stage, with close attention to detail and a creative outlook, her skills ensure that the project is optimised for the web, while keeping the clients desired outcomes as the main priority.

Kylie is very organised and enjoys researching to enhance her involvement in many business development processes and improving procedures within the company, as NB grows itsmarket base.

Outside of work, Kylie is a keen sports person, involved in badminton, netball and hockey among other outdoor activities, such as hiking and camping along the coastline of Shetland. Anywhere that has beautiful scenery attracts Kylie, as she continues to travel to Europe and further around the World to experience different cultures, food and traditions.

Kylie's Q&A

We asked Kylie a series of fun questions, so you can get to know her a little better.

1.Tell us a surprising fact about yourself?

I am obsessed with the ocean since becoming a certified diver. I love whales, turtles, dolphins, etc., but especially the micro creatures of the ocean. It’s a fascinating, thrilling feeling being under the sea. I need to invest in a dry suit, so I can experience diving in Shetland.

2. What are your top 3 life highlights?

In no particular order:

Achieving some of the longer hikes and outdoor conservation work that I have done around the world. The Kepler track in NZ, Thorsmork National Park in Iceland (completing the Laugavegur track while fixing it up for 2 months) and Mount Kinabalu in Borneo.

Diving in the Philippines - every dive was amazing - whale sharks, thresher sharks, lion fish, frog fish, coral reef, but the highlight was going on a cave dive, where we watched seahorses before surfacing in the cave to watch bats flying overhead.

Having family and friends travelling with me in different places around the world, especially exploring New Zealand with my parents and showing them my life 'down under'.

3. Have you ever been told you look like a celebrity?

I don't think I have!

4. What did you want to be when you grew up?

I always wanted to be a spy when I was younger; solving mysteries, being undercover and defending myself.

5. What are your three most overused words/phrases?

'Lovely', 'Supposebly' (which I know is not even the correct word),

**I’ll get back with a third - I’ve asked my bf to see if he notices, hard to notice yourself :)

6. What’s the coolest thing you’re working on right now?

Follow the Vikings is a complex and interesting project that has encouraged me to learn more about Vikings (since it is a big part of Shetland’s history), and the amazing Viking events and sites all around Europe. Click here to visit the live website.

7. What is your favourite aspect of your job?

The variety of projects and business development tasks that I am involved in and getting to work alongside my colleagues on all of these. We have a great team!

8. If a friend came to visit you in Shetland, what would you take them to see?

The South End of Shetland is a personal favourite for a whole day exploring; the Sumburgh lighthouse (and hopefully puffins), St Ninians beach, Rerwick beach with all the seals sunbathing, hopefully whales passing by, the red rock pool, Shetland ponies, and views from Fitful Head.

9. What is the most important personal attribute that you bring to your job?

I think my friendly nature is a useful attribute for the position I am in.

10. What technology innovation made the most impact on your life?

Areoplanes - being able to travel anywhere in the World so easily.

11. What would you name your boat if you had one and why?

Kia Ora - this is a greeting in Maori language, translating to 'Have Good Life and Health'. It is a beautiful language and culture that I learned about and appreciated while living in New Zealand. The Maori beliefs are all very respectful towards family and tradition, which I think is important.

12. How would you convince someone to visit the place you love the most?

Telling someone all about the great things that you have done/seen/experienced in a place and providing them with some tips is more helpful than showing them photos. I like to turn up somewhere and be surprised by the beauty; buildings/mountains/lakes - whatever it is that makes that place special. If you can inspire someone and make them feel like they need to go experience it for themselves, I think that's a well convinced person.

June 12, 2019

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