Lieutenant Commander Zoe Briant-Evans (née Watts) has recently become the first woman to serve as First Lieutenant at Britannia Royal Naval College. Zoe spoke to us about her time at Anglia Ruskin and her career in the Navy so far.

Zoe arrived at Anglia Ruskin to follow her love of geography. It was the friendly and welcoming atmosphere, not to mention a Students Union café called the 'Bat Cave', that convinced her to stay and study in Cambridge. She shared her first student meal of super noodles on toast in Nightingale Halls with Naomi 'Nomski' Osborne and they have remained best friends, even if Nomski wasn't fond of her nickname at the time, or that it has stuck with her since!

Zoe greatly enjoyed the opportunity to work outdoors and the variation in her geography degree and it made her think about the prospect of a life behind a desk after graduating. Her degree taught her analytical skills and problems solving, self-discipline (like how to get out of bed in the morning) and a work ethic that have been her best lessons for life. Peter Hoare was a particularly inspiring lecturer and some of his books are still in Zoe's library - she is still fascinated by the shape of the world around her.

It was in her final year that Zoe was first introduced to the Navy. She attended a University Royal Naval Unit (URNU) meeting with a friend, with the promise it wouldn't involve sleeping outside in the rain or crawling through muddy fields. Thankfully it didn't, and the appeal of ships and being back near the coast sucked Zoe in and she hasn't looked back.

Zoe's time at sea with URNU on training ships and an aircraft carrier inspired her to think about a career in the Navy. After her final exams at Anglia Ruskin, she spent six weeks on a maritime security tour, which confirmed her desire to explore her potential with the Navy. Zoe went before the Admiralty Interview Board and started her naval career at Britannia Naval College at Dartmouth in the September.

After 15 years, Zoe is now back at Dartmouth having enjoyed a varied and exciting career, changing roles every two years. She has been a Warfare Officer driving warships in Afghanistan and Iraq, and commanded her own vessel. Zoe also spent time closer to home in London, running the London and South East recruitment office. As you would expect, Zoe has travelled the world, experiencing Mardi Gras in New Orleans, geysers in Iceland and has worked in central Africa, South America and Asia. Her favourite time was spent in Japan on a diplomatic mission as Executive Assistant to the Admiralty in the Far East. With a unique mix of traditional Japanese culture embracing western influences, Zoe was delighted by the tapestry of people and vibrant cities.

Zoe's passion is not just commanding her ships but managing her team. She aspires to get the best out of people and to have people coming to work feeling as though they are achieving things as a team. As long as she is still doing that, she will be happy.

We will continue to watch Zoe's career and wish her every success for the future.